This is now getting a bit out-of-order. That what I write now actually happened before Balaklava.

So yesterday I decided to leave Yalta. I initially planed to stay for two days but the hotel was expensive and a bit dull, front desk didn’t do much when I asked for anything. Mainly it was filled with Russian people. But I always try to be nice, make a joke (even when it is easily misunderstood due to lack of English skills). That has brought me many advantages talking about prices are when I want to get another room or so.

That morning I had a rather miserable breakfast. They have completely missed the point here to have nice bread. It’s always dry and unexciting. And the Ukraine is the grain shed of Europe. As I had finished I got a postcard from the waitress. Hey, I’m travelling; I am the one who should be sending postcards. It was a nice gesture, and I sent a mail to the direction of the Hotel saying them that at least one in their staff knows how to make in impression. Instead of leaving having no more thoughts of that place, I left with a smile.

It was once again hot as hell. It is always a show to everyone when I put on my gear. The crowd that passes by is in shorts and bikinis. I am putting on my back cover, my black bike clothing, not leather, but still warm enough. Then my boots and helmet and gloves. And almost every time I forgot some thing so that I have to take something off. After 5 minutes in 35 degrees I am melting away and the people around me must think I’m crazy. Just before I put on my helmet, I poor some cold water over myself. When I then hit the breeze it cools me off a bit.

Livadia Palace

First stop that day was Livadia palace. A palace built for the last Tsar and his family. It is more known as the place where the Yalta Agreement was signed. So I once again walk on history soil. Unfortunately I went in to the wrong part. I ended up at a pre recorded explanation about the Tsar Family and the Yalta Agreement. And it took 30 minutes, I couldn’t leave and didn’t understand a thing. At least it was cool inside but the wax figures started steering at me, so I felt at least. Perhaps Churchill and Roosevelt felt sorry for me. But I missed the desk and room where Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin signed. You can’t get it all…

Tsar family

The park around the palace we superb, close the building that is. A bit away it really needed a gardener. That is a general impression I have so far of many things. Roads are great, between the big cities, houses look very nice downtown, but away from these parts they are in bad shape.

After that I just stopped at the Swallows nest, no way I was going to walk that way down in this heat. And I had just put everything on again.

The road to Sevastopol took me around the mountains instead of over them; so no serpentine this time. I arrived at my hotel, this time far away from downtown. I found one close to the shore. I planned for swimming in the Black Sea. I have also used this time to relax and to do some washing.

This area is more of a suburb. Lots of, as I call them, Soviet styled apartment buildings. But It’s nice to see how they now tear down the old ones and build up new ones. As I walked around I noticed that I could as well be walking some wherein the US. This new area, with broad streets, big buildings, amusement park and big hotel could have been some where in the south of US, like Florida or CA.

The beach is very rocky, no sand. But all around there is plenty of nice restaurants. And families keep swimming too late in the evening. But I don’t think you would call a night club in Sweden “Sova”!

Right outside of my hotel is the ship yard of the old Russian ships. It is sad to see them just rust away. At the same time it’s nice to see that they are not being needed.

Tonight is going to be a early one. I have one of my longest legs tomorrow. And I’m not so sure about finding a hotel. There is nothing on the big booking sites. But there is always one hotel some where. I might not get connected though.