In this episode, we had a fascinating conversation with Sara Starkström, a Swedish urban explorer. She shared her journey into urbex, starting with a childhood fascination with an old farmhouse. Sara's love for underground spaces and tunnels led her to explore catacombs and underground locations. She expressed her dream of exploring Japan, where she's explored amusement parks and an untouched sanatorium.


Sara recounted a thrilling encounter with a wild boar in Spain, narrowly escaping a cliff's edge. She also talked about an asylum in Sweden, and its famous "black storm building," and a humorous encounter with unaware politicians. We discussed the legal aspects of urbex, mentioning two urbexers who got arrested for exploring a military base in Sweden.


Sara's entry into the urbex world began with the German abandoned amusement park, Spreepark, leading to the discovery of its incredible history. She also shared her experience at a boat graveyard in the Caribbean, where she went to learn how to sail.


The conversation delved into disaster sites, exploring whether they can still be considered urbex. Lastly, we wrapped up the episode with Sara's recent expedition to Svalbard Island, where she explored a frozen-in-time, abandoned former Soviet coal-mining settlement located in the Arctic Circle. Tune in to the podcast to hear these captivating stories and insights from Sara's urban exploration adventures.


Links / Social Media: 


Instagram: starkurbex_ and starkasara


Chasing Bandos Podcast is available on chasingbandospodcast.com or your favourite podcasting app. Check out the pictures of our guest on Instagram at chasingbandospod


You can get in contact by email: [email protected] 


Support us by purchasing Abandoned China book - fascinating journey into incredible abandoned locations all over China!


Why 'urbex explorers' don't share exact locations here: gregabandoned.com/urbex


Intro song is Watcha Gon' Do is performed by Chris Shards [EPIDEMIC SOUND MUSIC LICENSE]. Rapid fire round background songs are: Greaser by TrackTribe and a tune composed by New Jersey explorer dragonboyac


Listnerer discretion announcement at the beginning of the episode was done by Adrian Wunderler-Selby.