Czechland to Russia
Trip Start
Jul 17, 2009
1
5
8
Trip End
Aug 18, 2009
Volgograd,
South Russia,
Russian Federation
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Our drive through Czechland was largely uneventful, it took wayy longer than we anticipated!! We managed to get to Ostrava near the border with Poland, where we found a dirt cheap motel for the night. We got lost trying to find Krakow, thinking that Katowice was the polish translation for Krakow. All a bit silly really. Krakow was amazing, very beautiful and ill go back soon. Thats the last stop in the Ryanair belt, and from now on, there will be feck all tourists about. We were at the Ukrainian border in the evening, and spent the whole night until 1am, getting a bunch of mongol rally cars across the border. When we finally got across, we drove for an hour through some of the worst roads I have ever seen to get to L'viv. For the roads, think Kerry backroads crossed with the entrance to a quarry and you get the general idea. They also had the idea of putting speed humps in the middle of nowhere with no warning. We fell victim to one or two, the car is still ok.
I think its fair to say we got some culture shock when we arrived in L'viv. The roads hadnt been repaired for 100 years seemingly, and the hostel we were staying in was good! The only issue was with the safe parking of the car. the road outside the hostel had been ripped up a year ago by a contractor and forgotten about, so it resembled a scene out of 'enemy at the gates' or any soviet war film. We ended up getting some ukrainian shopkeepers to watch our car all night in exchange for cash. It seems if someone doesnt watch your car, someone will be interested in whats in the car. They explained that numerous people approached them during the night and asked to 'see' the car. We bought a chicken and coffee from them in the morning, everybody we have met has been so friendly!
After L'viv, we drove on to Kiev. The road was crap, mostly single lane roughness for hours on end! We have no spare springs or shock absorbers so we'll see how we get on! The Ukrainian police are super corrupt and always hide behind trees and trucks to catch you on whatever they can. Ksenia got caught for speeding and the cop walks up to us - 'it's time to pay"!! He made 500ukr money, 50euros or a months salary for him. Being a policeman here can be very fruitful. Its seems though since Ukraine wants to get closer to Europe, the cops are under strict instructions to leave the foreigners at home. The Russians have no such problems though, in their souped up Lada's!
Kiev, the home of the chicken kiev. Great city, on my list for the future. Having tasted the real thing, I dont know if I can go back to the fatty frozen irish version. All the food we have had has been amazing.
After Kiev, we decided to get some miles in before spending the night. We stayed in Luobhny, which was a city in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in the Ukraine. It was hidden away in the forest, and I think we were the first foreigners to stop there in a long time. It was safe to say we were the focus of all eyes. We hit the sack early for the big drive to the Russian border the next day. The roads improved as we came closer to Russia. We were expecting a battering so were delighted!
We arrived in Luhansk the border town during the evening, found safe parking and hit a restaurant. The area is quite poor and food is excellent and cheap. We asked some locals about the directions to the border, and we end up at a tiny crossing point in the middle of nowhere. The only sounds were that of barking stray dogs in the distance and crickets. And some very serious looking soviets.
We got to Volgograd yesterday afternoon, got the car checked by a mitsubishi dealer and found a 5 star hotel above a car wash. 13 euro a night for airconditioned loveliness. The current temperatures are around 38c during the afternoon, so the car's airconditioning is always on, windows down, arms hanging out! I have a great one arm tan going, its gonna be spectactular. Saturday night in Volgograd was a laugh, many many many incredibly beautiful girls, decent beer and trashy eastern european techno music. But the city is much poorer than we expected. We ate amazing Georgian food and drank illegal georgian wine for next to nothing. Taxis for 15minutes cost 2.50/ 3 euro.
Tonight we are driving to Astrakhan, on the border with Kazakhstan. Thats when the adventure really starts!! Jerry cans will be filled then aswell as the 20L watercan. Im not sure when we'l find the next internet, as this part of the world doesnt seem to be as advanced as we thought.
Can't wait for the Asian section. Happy days!!
