Author Archives: admin

Happy Cemetery (Merry Cemetery), Sapanta. Both the church and surrounding cemetery must be seen to be believed. All the grave markers are fantastic wood painted creations. Topped with a gable roof, each is a narrow rectangle with colourful geometric borders, … Continue reading →

It was not possible to visit this area of Ukraine in 2019. A Russian visa was required but would not be granted except under special circumstances (but especially not to citizens of the European Union). The areas of Donetsk and … Continue reading →

Ukraine – Central-East (Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia) June 15-16, 2019 Byriuchyi Island is a spit (former island) in the northwestern part of the Azov Sea. Together with the narrow northern part of the Fedotova Spit, Byriuchyi Island forms the Utljuk Lyman separating … Continue reading →

Ukraine/Russia (disputed) – Crimea (Sevastopol, Simferopol) I enquired about traveling to Crimea. A Russian visa is required and that needs a Letter of Invitation so I wrote Kozak Travel in Sevastopol. The reply was: Because of sanctions from the European Union … Continue reading →

Ukraine – Northeast (Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava) June 17, 24, 2019 POLTAVA Poltava Museum of Local Lore. The art nouveau building is brick with coloured tiles and the lovely interior has green tiles and floral motifs. Basically the regional museum, this … Continue reading →

OBSERVATIONS 1. After only one day, I was fed up with Ukraine. Almost everything is in Cyrillic, which is impossible to comprehend. And English skills are surprisingly poor. I doubt you could find anyone to have a reasonable conversation with. … Continue reading →

Ukraine – South (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson) June 13-15m 2019 Having finished seeing everything in Trans Dniester and Moldova, Ukraine was my next destination. From the monastery, my friend, Google Maps directed me south on a 92km tortuous road crossing into … Continue reading →

Moldova (Chisinau, Soroca, Balţi) June 10-11, 2019 I crossed the Romanian/Moldova border (the Prut River) at just east of Iasi. I knew my vehicle insurance was not valid for Moldova and purchased one month at the coffee shop at the … Continue reading →

Transnistria (Tiraspol) June 12, 2019 I picked up a young couple who spoke no English and then 5kms before Bender I entered Trans Dniestr. It was like any other border where they look in the back of the van. I … Continue reading →

Transnistria (Tiraspol) May 12, 2019 I picked up a young couple who spoke no English and then 5kms before Bender I entered Trans Dniestr. It was like any other border where they look in the back of the van. I … Continue reading →