Day 29/30/31
Odessa - Burlatschka Balka 20 km
Burlatschka Balka - Batumi by boat
Kim is cycling again! The three of us cycled nearly 20 kilometers together from Odessa to Ilyichevsk where miss Tatiana was waiting to hand us the boat tickets to Batumi. One hour and some passport checks later we boarded motorvessel "Vilnius". Back in 1991 Motorvessel Vilnius was the biggest ferry in the world and it therefore even got a diplome by the guiness world records book! We have a cabin for three persons and three meals are included every day per person. Today we ate Schnitzel and Leila and Kim claimed that they have never eaten as well for so many days in a row in this journey. The rest of the day we just hang around reading and watching films, even some films in russian language. Weather is very foggy and we hope not to encounter any icebergs. Update: weather is not foggy anymore and the sun is shining. I feel like on the ferry to Elba in the mediteranian see. So promissing!
The ship departed at 9 o'clock p.m. Ukrainian time. Most of the passengers are truck drivers who go to Tbilissi and/ or Yerevan . They are very kind and also interested in us since we are the only "western" passengers. Of course we took advantage and asked for the best route from Batumi to Yerevan. There was a whole council of guys who showed us the different roads and possibilities. Some of them even offered to take us with them in their trucks. It seems like they would really enjoy some people in their trucks to talk to!Problem occured that there is still snow in Georga in the mountains. For this reason we had to adapt our route a bit. The truck drivers laughed when Kim asked them if there are snow plows in Georga and told us that nature is plowing in this part of the world. Let's hope the weather will not be too bad...
Approaching the eastern coast of the black sea was spectacular. Weather was good and we saw impressive mountains, some of them more than 5000 m high and just next to the sea. We finally arrived in Batumi on midnight of the second of April. Boarder control was very friendly and welcomed us warmely. Batumi has many (neon) - lights and looked as I imagine Las Vegas. It also got many casinos to gamble. We weren't expecting that! However, we soon found a nice hotel to stay!
Burlatschka Balka - Batumi by boat
Kim is cycling again! The three of us cycled nearly 20 kilometers together from Odessa to Ilyichevsk where miss Tatiana was waiting to hand us the boat tickets to Batumi. One hour and some passport checks later we boarded motorvessel "Vilnius". Back in 1991 Motorvessel Vilnius was the biggest ferry in the world and it therefore even got a diplome by the guiness world records book! We have a cabin for three persons and three meals are included every day per person. Today we ate Schnitzel and Leila and Kim claimed that they have never eaten as well for so many days in a row in this journey. The rest of the day we just hang around reading and watching films, even some films in russian language. Weather is very foggy and we hope not to encounter any icebergs. Update: weather is not foggy anymore and the sun is shining. I feel like on the ferry to Elba in the mediteranian see. So promissing!
The ship departed at 9 o'clock p.m. Ukrainian time. Most of the passengers are truck drivers who go to Tbilissi and/ or Yerevan . They are very kind and also interested in us since we are the only "western" passengers. Of course we took advantage and asked for the best route from Batumi to Yerevan. There was a whole council of guys who showed us the different roads and possibilities. Some of them even offered to take us with them in their trucks. It seems like they would really enjoy some people in their trucks to talk to!Problem occured that there is still snow in Georga in the mountains. For this reason we had to adapt our route a bit. The truck drivers laughed when Kim asked them if there are snow plows in Georga and told us that nature is plowing in this part of the world. Let's hope the weather will not be too bad...
Approaching the eastern coast of the black sea was spectacular. Weather was good and we saw impressive mountains, some of them more than 5000 m high and just next to the sea. We finally arrived in Batumi on midnight of the second of April. Boarder control was very friendly and welcomed us warmely. Batumi has many (neon) - lights and looked as I imagine Las Vegas. It also got many casinos to gamble. We weren't expecting that! However, we soon found a nice hotel to stay!
Incredible pictures! I had not idea that there were such high mountains! Great adventure! Admire you! Would love to join - by car! ;O)))) big hugs Christa
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