People travelling to hostile regions to cover conflict and humanitarian crises, or to expose corruption and human rights violations, face numerous threats. Not only must they consider logistical issues and medical risks, but increasingly must prepare for the threats of intimidation, harassment and violence. This does not wholly focus on people working within journalism it extends to people who travel within regions defined as hostile.

Moreover, as the lines between journalist and citizen reporter become increasingly blurred with the more widespread adoption of social media and use of smartphones, even those not typically identifying as journalists can find themselves exposed to heightened risks. In particular, governments have resorted to comprehensive surveillance measures and means of intimidation in an attempt to thwart freedom of expression and undermine democracy.

The shared Border of Colombia and Panama the Darien Gap is home to one of the least exploited and most diverse regions in the world. Shareing two oceans to the north and west the pacific and to the east, the Atlantic the area includes two protected parks Panamas Darien National Park in and Los Katios National Park in Colombia. The area is 30 miles wide, from the North Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, and 54 miles in length, when measuring from the city of Yaviza in Panama in a straight line the region is home to varying landforms, from swamplands on the Colombian side to the mountainous rainforests with its tallest peak, Cerro Tacarcuna (standing at 5,535 ft or 1,845 m), on the Panamanian side. With more than 3 million acres of wilderness, the ecosystem found within is one of the most hotly contested, a political and environmental quagmire.
The region has an abundance of rare plants and wildlife. Besides being home to rare wildlife, the region is also populated by diverse groups of people from the indigenous communities, to the armed groups, which won’t go into in this post.

Those of you who follow my blog will know how much I enjoy travelling to Colombia. The country has had my attention since I first hopped off the plane back in 2014 on just a short layover. Since then, I have been back 4 times…and I am not done with the country yet! In a few weeks’ time I will be hopping on a plane back to Colombia; I cannot think of a better place to start travelling again after COVID restrictions lift!

Travelling from Jurado in Colombia to Jaque in Panama is a logistical nightmare and there is only one known way which is a trusted means by the authorities and now myself having experienced it first hand with a number of locals.

Colombias choco department is one of its least visited departments for a number of reasons historical and current. Although I have travelled to Colombia five times I have visited this region the most.

It is now 40 days until I set off on my 50 mile expedition of the Darien Gap and I wanted to share my feelings as the trip draws closer.
Dangers I will face my preparation I have taken part in.

In the last month, I have secured 4 new sponsorship and partners with organisations which are paramount to the success of the expedition to the darién gap In Colombia and Panama.

So I will begin in the capital city, of Panama's bus depot albrook it is a huge bus station with bus routes to pretty much all parts of the country. But in my case, I was looking for the darién province stop.

I arrived in Panama on the 26th of January This year via the Paso Canoas border. Was quite intimidating my first land border crossing, but my nerves were soon eased.

My fascination and interests in this area began from watching the film The Art of Travel. A bit fickle; but a great film none the less.