Off to Russia

Meeting George and Victoria on the way Read more

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Off to Russia Traveler
Waking up, 1535 miles to Vladivostok
October 13, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ -9 °C
Train stopped at a stuck signal, about an hour out of Mogocha. Lovely view of deep snow and a temperature of about - 4. Said goodbye to our overnight companion, a lovely lad and extremely polite.
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Yerofey Pavlovoch, 1353 miles to Vladivo
October 13, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
About an hour late arriving, again zero degrees. Come through lots of trees and frozen rivers, though the snow seems to have gone! Also a picture of pur lovely Sunday lunch!! 😂😂, tea was much better.
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Magdagachi, 1116 miles to Vladivostok.
October 13, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 -2 °C
No pictures as it's dark, but there's one of the sunset and one of us 2 looking daft! Caught up on time too. Been for tea in the restaurant car and got talking to a Russian man - he approached us! Only spoke about 3 words of English, but we had a fine old conversation. The lovely couple in the next carriage have lent us a usb adapter, so at least we can charge up the power packs, some one made off with our last one!!!Read more
Traveler Aww 🥰
10/14/19Reply
Traveler 👍😉
10/14/19Reply
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Gained an hour in the night!
October 14, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ -6 °C
Well, woke up this morning and the scenery has changed yet again. We now have broad leaves deciduous trees in our view. They've all lost their leaves though. We came through very a flat landscape in the night, the moon was full and showed a landscape devoid of trees (for a change 😁).
Its frosty out and you can see the frost twinkling in the bushes as it catches the sun light as we go past. The rivers and streams don't seem to be frozen either and we gained an hour! Can't get used to that! Very odd.
Been through a couple of tunnels this morning too. Next stop, Obluch'ye. We've made up all the time we lost too. Still lovely blue skies.Read more
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Only 683 miles to go, but another 22 hrs
October 14, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ -3 °C
Or not gained an hour, as we are now 9 hours ahead of England! So we've lost another, definitely the last one and we are now on the same time zone as Victoria and George!!
In Oblichye, an autonomous Jewish blast.Read more
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Khabarovsk, 476 miles to go
October 14, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
Here on time and for 1 hour 10 minutes. It's cold out there too. Lots of people have got off, including our waitress! Hope she comes back! Also the restaurant car has been unloading lots of boxes. Hope this means that Stu and I aren't going to fight over the last crust for tea 😂😂.
Seems strange to think that this time tomorrow we will be in our hotel, feel as if we have been on this train forever!! Looking forward to the next bit of our adventure and seeing what Vladivostok has to offer.Read more
TravelerIf left my phone at work on Saturday so catching up with you. Well done on your survival 😂😂xx
10/14/19Reply
TravelerSounds like you’re both trained out - what a fab adventure you’re having - stay warm Xx
10/14/19Reply
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Here now!
October 15, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C
Well, we arrived in Vladivostok on time this morning. George and Victoria were on the platform waiting for us and we then got a taxi to the hotel. It's a Time hotel, a little like the Tune hotels in Asia. It's so nice to have a bed that isn't moving! The view from our window isn't as good, but we'll be heading out soon to sample the delights that Vladivostok has to offer.Read more
TravelerA proper bed/bedroom must feel huge after your tiny compartment. It must be good to finally be with George & Victoria. Have a great time together. Xx
10/15/19Reply
TravelerEnjoy your family time Xx
10/16/19Reply
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Vladivostok
October 15, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Been around Vlad today starting off with the view point, overlooking the suspension bridge and the harbour. The picture of the 2 men is a statue of the 2 men who invented the Russian alphabet in 845. We then went on a funicular and walked towards the sea. As today is 15th October, we saw the combined services have a service of remembrance for the October Uprising. We also saw the submarine, but didn't enter. We walked along the main road until we found the Georgian restaurant that George and Victoria went to yesterday. We had a lovely meal. We then walked along the front, past the football ground and saw where the pleasure arcades are. Most of these are shut now. We sat in an outside cafe, having a beer in the sunshine, just watching the world go by. It was lovely.Read more
Traveler Looks amazing & you still have those lovely blue skies. Wet & miserable here. Xx
10/15/19Reply
Traveler Oh dear! Yes, it was bright with amazing skies. The wind was very drying though and I had to spend an inordinate amount of money on a good body moisturiser for my hands as my thumb looked like it was going to split - a left over from my days in the kitchen. I have betnovate at home, of course! Never though I'd need it here. My lips are very dry too. Lipsal purchase today, I think 😁
10/15/19Reply
Traveler Look after yourself........ big wash when you come back!
10/16/19Reply
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Russiky Island
October 16, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Went for a walk around Russiky island today. We wanted to go to a military museum, but it was shut. The 2 lane road road we were on suddenly disappeared and we then went down a track, only to be let out miles from anywhere!! The walk down the lane was lovely though, warm and quiet. We then walked up to a look out and looked over the other side of the island, towards the sea. It was lovely.
We then caught a bus to the university and walked around there. Its 3 universities in 1 and its enormous! We then got a taxi back to the restaurant where we had tea last night. We have had another lovely meal here and are just planning how to get to Nahodka tomorrow on the next leg of our adventure.Read more
Traveler Looks absolutely lovely. 👍. My best wishes to all the family. Xx
10/16/19Reply
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Train to Nakhodka
October 17, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We left Vladivostok at 2 p.m. The train station was lovely, with a painted ceiling. The train journey is 5 hours long and we have around 1 hour left. Once on Nakhodka, Victoria's mum will meet us and take us to their house, which is around half an hour away. Going through some lovely countryside with trees turning a lovely colour for autumn.Read more
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Nakhodka
October 18, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Went to Nakhodka to be registered, a bit like Joseph and Mary! Victoria has bought a new apartment and we went to one place to register that, but had to go elsewhere to register us! We then looked over part of the docks - there are 80 kilometres of them. Never seen so much coal. We then went for a coffee and lunch, and walked to the bus station to get the bus back to Victoria's mums apartment. The smell in the air was reminiscent of the Welsh valleys in the 60's!Read more
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View from apartment
October 18, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We are on the 5th floor of the apartment, so fab views of the woods and the sea. No lift though, so have to carry everything up. Washing line hanging off the balcony, 2 balconies, 1 either side of the apartment.Read more
TravelerAmazing. Glad your having a great time with so much to see. I'm just off to Kats after doing my ironing. How mundane 😂😂xx
10/18/19Reply
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Off to the chalet!
October 19, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
Today we go to the chalet. It's about 40 minute drive from the apartment but we will be off the grid until our return on Tuesday. We did have periods of time on the train with no internet, but it usually returned when we were near a town. Looking forward to celebrating Victoria's birthday with her friends tomorrow, walking along the beach (too cold for swimming!) And using the steam room/sauna.Read more
TravelerHappy birthday 🎉🎂🥂 to Victoria. xx
10/19/19Reply
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Chalet in the woods
October 19, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Lovely chalet, so quiet. Lots of trees, of various colours. Very few people here as it's out of season now. Beach is about 2 minutes walk from the chalet and you can hear the waves on the shore from the outside dining area. Heading into the sauna soon!Read more
Traveler That looks so peaceful & relaxing. I love to hear the sea lapping against the shore. Xx
10/20/19Reply
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Feeding the fox!
October 20, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 11 °C
About 10 o'clock last night, we were visited by a fox! George was feeding it meat and bread, so it kept coming back.
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Watching the world go by!
October 22, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Well, would do if there was anything to watch! Theres no one here except us and the manager. Oh, and the cats and fox!!
Traveler How peaceful & quiet it looks. Wildlife as well. Good for the soul. xx
10/22/19Reply
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Back in Vrangle
October 23, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
We are now back in Victoria's mums apartment, after a lovely time in the chalet in the woods. Apart from the fact that Stu got bitten by a dog this morning. He's okay and we don't think the dog is rabid!! 😂😂
We had another cook out for lunch today, a Khasakstani dish of pork, cabbage, potatoes and vegetables, it was lovely. I've added a video of the sea, it was just so nice to listen to the sea and to not hear anything else, though we did get surprised with a sonic boom yesterday!Read more
TravelerPoor Stu😲 does the dog normally do that? Is it fed? 🤔. Thank you for sharing the sea 🌊 lovely to hear. George never seems to look very happy 🙁 is he ok? xx
10/23/19Reply
TravelerOh he's fine. It's his normal expression xx
10/23/19Reply
TravelerWhat a shame. Tell him to try harder. I'm sure there's a very attractive young man in there. 😂😂xx
10/23/19Reply
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Valentina's birthday party
October 24, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We have come to Nakhodka, to the International Marine Club for a party. We have had some lovely food and been entertained by Valentina and the folk group she sings with. One of the ladies' sons came and played his guitar in between. A great afternoon of singing, eating and drinking. With cake!Read more
TravelerSounds like a wonderful party 🎉. Xx
10/24/19Reply
TravelerIts lovely. Nice to spend time doing things with the locals and learning their traditions and how they differ/are the same as ours xx
10/24/19Reply
TravelerSounds wonderful Xx
10/25/19Reply
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Walk to the beach
October 25, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Let's go to the beach, says George and Victoria. Never been to the beach at the top of a mountain! So we walked up to the harbour lookout to see the sea and port. Then we got rained on! First rain we've seen for nearly 3 weeks (seen snow but don't count that).Read more
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Trip to Nakhodka
October 26, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
We went on a trip to Nakhodka today with an English speaking tour guide and her husband, who also spoke English. They gave us the history of Nakhodka and showed us where the first house was built in the 1830's. There will be a museum there one day but at the moment it's just a field. We then went to a lookout where there is a monument to some sailors who lost their lives in a boating disaster. The monument of a woman and child was paid for by the shipping company. It can be seen as the boats enter the harbour. They also took us to the Japanese stone gardens, which were presented to Nakhodka from a Japanese town (forget which one) when they twinned in 1981. We then went to a lookout on the opposite side of the bay, where we could see the coal waiting to be shipped out, either by boat or by train.Read more
TravelerFabulous photographs. Loving the blue skies again. We are back to rain ☔️ here. xx
10/26/19Reply
TravelerYes, its warm again, but very windy. We had quite a lot of rain last night but there is snow to the north of us xx
10/26/19Reply
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Beach view
October 26, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
Came to Nakhodka again, this time to look for a Masha and the Bear bear and for Victoria to take her paperwork in. Vika then said we would go to a lake - via a dirt track to the beach first! We are now sat in a restaurant by the second beach, getting warm!Read more
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Back to Vladivostok
October 27, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C
We are now waiting to leave Nakhodka on a mini bus for a 4 hour journey to Vladivostok! We are heading back as it's quite a trip back there and we want to see some more sights before we leave on Wednesday. Also, it's easier to get to the airport from there, even though it's a 50 minute journey from our apartment near the marina. Blue skies again, though it was cold this morning.Read more
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Vladivostok
October 28, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
Forgot to post pictures from our 17th floor balcony yesterday. However, there are night views and sunrise this morning. We can see the suspension bridge right in front of us and if you look to the right, you can see part of the marina. We went back to the Georgian restaurant last night, which was lovely. Not quite sure what we have planned for today, but we'll make a move soon.Read more
Traveler Stunning photographs. Your weather seems to be catching up with us. Des is scraping frost off the car before going to play golf. The mist is clearing off the fields & the sky is clear. How many days do you have left? It feels like you've been away forever. xx
10/28/19Reply
Traveler We are home on Wednesday night. It does seem ages since we were at home! Xx
10/28/19Reply
Traveler That will soon be here. Enjoy your last days of adventure. xx
10/28/19Reply
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Souvenir hunting
October 28, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Stu and I went for a walk this afternoon. The weather was quite windy and dull, but no rain. However, it did rain later. We wandered and got some of our souvenirs from one of the traffic free roads, but no medved (bear!). We're getting to know central Vladivostok quite well now! We went to the station first to see the tall ship, the masts of which we can see from our balcony. Then the back of the station, with our apartment block in the distance. The roof of the church looked much better in real life with the strands of the suspension bridge behind it!Read more
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Last night in Vladivostok
October 29, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 10 °C
We have come to a traditional Russian restaurant for our last meal and Valentina has come too! We are at Gus-Karas, and the food is lovely. Will be sorry to leave, but am ready to get home and see the other side of the family.Read more
TravelerSafe travels home 🏡 xx
10/29/19Reply
TravelerThanks Lynn. Xx
10/29/19Reply
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