Igor Meshov

My autotravel

e-mail: rtleslie@fustercluck.com

Capture of Dnepr
December, 2007

«I cannot more in Kiev sit. Give somewhere rvanem on the target!» It seems, my cry from the heart has not seemed Ksjuhe to the unexpected. «I know, that you have already solved, where», - as always, with lovely ironicalness, zrit it in a root. For the sake of formality I offer and there and then I sweep aside «alternative variants», bringing to the main thing – we really did not see till now still Dnepropetrovsk!. Well, the question is solved – we go on "ekaterinoslavshchinu"...

Last days off of October have presented dry cloudy weather with clearings. And clearings was more than clouds with which in the sky beautifully contrasted not numerous tuchki. Very successfully for photosession. The next club departure has turned out small (2 crews), but long-distance (Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk). Therefore serious preparation was not spent, that has turned back some difficulties and adventures. However, without them trips seldom happen remembered...

«Here and your country house!», - has fervently exclaimed turmenedzher JUlja, jumping out with back our sofa "Forestera". Very well, only it not our country house. In the evening, sipping cold wine under cheese and olives, listening as waves about ancient walls of an old city lap, observing evening vanity on quay Budvy, we any more did not remember small troubles of travel. After all behind at us majestic black mountains, ahead the tender dark blue sea. We in the heart of the Balkans! Well, hi, the country Montenegro...

Strange this sensation – to travel on a back sofa of the car. You feel comfortably, easy you stare on the parties, you sleep, when it is boring. But here the control over a situation strongly does not suffice. To a two-day trip across the Ukrainian Bessarabia have gone by the car of the friends checked up by joint travel – Seryogi and JUlki to which too sometimes would like "porulit". Experience of overcoming of road difficulties they have received the rich...

The first exit meeting of autotravellers from club AutoUA.NET has taken place on last days off under Umanju. 8 crews have taken part In fascinating action with excursions, rest to lake and a solemn feast from Kiev, united by the general passion to distant wanderings on the four wheels. In a current of two days participants of a meeting have visited the most interesting sights in Umani, Talnom, Parhomovke and White Church...

«The seventeenth – base, answer. Reception», - official tone I call conducted on a portable radio set. To travel a minicolumn from two cars about "voki-currents" in a hand not only it is convenient, but also it is cheerful. On the next conquest of Crimea we have gone to the companies of good acquaintances with which the general passion to distant wanderings and adherence to the Japanese stamp "subaru" makes related. Similar, "Forester" is a style of a life...

The world day of protection of monuments and historical places on April, 18th we have met in a way. And, have learnt about it by radio already directly in road, having decided to get out for one day from Kiev – on the occasion of good weather and absence of urgent affairs. In respect of our trip nearby monuments and historical places of Zhitomir area – here appeared just some and an occasion to check up reliability of their protection. This time we have decided to localise searches to the northeast from Berdichev where the greatest congestion of the most tempting was observed and is better the saved objects...

The army of travellers grows! Already couple of years the official statistics fixes rapid growth of the market of internal tourism in Ukraine. During the next trip on March days off we were convinced of it personally. Met familiar and unfamiliar, motorised and the pedestrian, travelling with official guidebooks and it is simple listings from this site. We will add in a coin box the report on purposeful "inspection" visit to the Rovno area...

I do not know as you, and I was admired always with medieval strongholds. Three ten saved locks and innumerable quantity of ruins make powerful tourist potential of Ukraine. To familiarise with several typical masterpieces of defensive architecture of Ukraine, it is not obligatory to plan long trips on Galichina or Zakarpatju. They can be found in limits only 300 km from Kiev...

I have woken up from shout of seagulls mixed up with a peal. The alarm clock yet did not invite by a breakfast, gloomy weather behind a window did not promise successful photosession, the weariness of ten days of travel had already an effect, but to sleep it would not be desirable at all. After all all in one hundred metres from hotel there was a quay, the ships, medieval small houses and the well-known Crane. Never thought, that such untwisted, opopsevshy and for a long time the acquaintance on photos the symbol of Gdansk will make on me so strong impression...

On CHerkasshchine there has come Renaissance. Four years ago, when we have found for the first time a freedom of movement thanks to the brand new car, literally next day have gone to the first big autotravel in places Bogdana Khmelnitskiy. Has come to update time to us impressions about sights CHerkasshchiny. As it has appeared, at last has come to update time and sights...

To visit all places of Ukraine connected with well-known it come from land owners Pototskys, it is necessary to go round the half-countries. Numerous descendants nice Polish voevod posessed extensive possession on Ternopolshchine, Vinnichine, CHerkasshchine, manors in Crimea, Lvov, Odessa. Everywhere they built smart palaces, pawned magnificent parks, based monasteries and temples. And even the whole cities...

The Tripolsky culture excited me since the childhood. Even it is difficult to present, that for pair thousand years to the Egyptian pyramids here on this earth, that underfoot, there lived the people which built huge cities-megacities, plavil metal, possessed unique technics of ceramics and never with anybody were not at war. Here have thought up a wheel, have learnt to grow up bread and have started to express words symbols. In history textbooks about it almost was nothing...

«Підем at once!» - the citation from the most popular Ukrainian song and a wave of a hand policeman Dato has invited to follow patrol. We have moved for its newcomer sine-white "Dzhettoj" with flashing majachkami on a roof, examining richly illuminated night Batumi. It was the final point our tiresome, but the travel overflowed with impressions. Yes, not our autotourist more often here reaches...

The question on consumer qualities of car Subaru Forester of a lineup of 2006 which proud owners we are already half a year, arises in e-mail regularly. "Forester" is famous for reliability of a design, quality of assemblage, capacity oppozitnyh engines, an optimum combination of passableness to controllability and comfort of the versatile person of middle class. I will try to approach to an estimation as much as possible objectively, with the account of several months of operation in the conditions of the Ukrainian roads and impassability...

Summer. A city. A heat. Closeness. Stoppers. Before holiday still far. And so it would be desirable salty air, noise of a surf, aroma of southern plants and resort carelessness. In such days you envy inhabitants of southern areas, whence to Crimea a hand a tax. At kievljan there is no special choice – on target it is possible to be pulled out only towards Odessa. Quiet rest «with a separation from manufacture» it is better to look on the next resorts...

«To East Ukraine? Waste heaps to look?». Such comment could be heard repeatedly when informed somebody on plans for the next trip. This time, having armed with the new guidebook «All Ukraine», and also a scanty information from the Internet, have decided to drive purposefully in all interesting places of the Chernigov, Sumy and Kharkov area. Ways, so to say, not beaten. Has not managed as without disappointments, and surprising opening...

If you are assured till now, that to the east from Kiev anything interesting to the autotourist to find it is impossible, go in Kachanovku! But only during a warm season and only with spending the night. The kind portion of impressions seasoned with tremendous romanticism, is guaranteed. Only it is desirable to be reserved by provisions in advance as tourist service in the Chernigov remote places exists only in embryo...

«A Zhitomir line!», - has joyfully exclaimed Ksjuha when we have curtailed from Heroes Stalingrada on the Moscow prospectus. «Has guessed. Give further». «Korosten?» "Is not present". «Voevodino?» «It too a variant. But there, where we go, we yet were not». «H'm … but in that direction continuous cities! And you have told, that it is necessary to take things as for village». "Indeed". «Svirzh?» «Has almost guessed. There we too will be». «Truskavets?» «It is close. But in Truskavets we already were». «Slavsky?!» «In a point!»...

Right after New year to Prague to go it is impossible. At this time the city is occupied by Russian. In all Europe a Christmas vacation just comes to an end, on 1st of January Europeans go on job. And in the Post-Soviet countries holidays only begin. It is considered to be, that winter Prague under a snow coverlet is especially romantic. Therefore not anxious by skis russkogovorjashchie tourists who do not pull Paris under the budget, first of all reflect on Christmas week in Prague...

For the first test of our new vehicle by a country trip we have decided to choose not the most distant and very simple route. Impassability in plans yet did not appear. To begin with it would be desirable to check up rideable qualities of the car on a good line, and also on the broken roads of the Ukrainian remote places. And, at the same time, to visit any new place. Rather warm and solar day has just stood out. Have decided to go to Nezhin...

The main problem of a trip to St.-Petersburg by the car – Belarus. So has historically developed, that just through this country there passes line Е-95 – the most direct and short road from Kiev to Peter. Certainly, it is possible to make the big hook through Moscow or small – on minor roads through Bryansk and Smolensk. Possibly, next time we will choose one of these variants. But for the first trip, by naivety, we have decided to select the shortest way. Experience has turned out interesting...

To see Paris and … to live! To whom as, but to us it would not be desirable to die for some reason at all. On the contrary, appear, that one life has not enough. What it is possible to see in Paris for four days? A difficult problem. But razreshimaja. It is Enough to listen to a voice not an insatiable gourmet-mind, and captious heart-gurme. As it has appeared, in French "gourmet" means "glutton". And «the judge of kitchen» is "gurme". On such trips sated with impressions there is no other exit how to become the traveller-gurme...

«It is a fantasy! I do not know, where we have received more impressions, in Romania or in Ukraine!». When we were excused with Dimkoj, Oksana and Katjuhoj on district Novograd-Volynsk, the head of "undermined" family Grehovyh from St.-Petersburg did not stop to admire seen for two transit journeys across Ukraine. Planned by us for May holidays the trip on Ternopolshchine, Hmelnitchine and Zakarpatju, has partially coincided with their plans to visit the most interesting places in the Western Ukraine...

There are in the world such places which should be visited during certain time. As Venice or Rio de Janeiro associate with the well-known carnivals, and impressions about Odessa never will be full without JUmoriny. Only it is better to reserve hotel in advance, weeks for three-four. All the same people flow at this time the decent. We and have arrived, and on March, 31st have left Kiev, being quiet for two coming lodgings for the night...

Once, in ice cold winter time … Is not present, it was time not so winter, but still ice cold – the first week of March. I have glanced in weather forecast and have found out, that is direct before the International women's day in native land snowfalls are expected. I to study in ski art this year was not going to, but seriously thought how efficiently to use these several days off. And what here to think? In JAremche we with Ksjuhoj did not happen yet. And other sights on road are available...

Similar, not the destiny to me to learn to stand on skis. For a long time planned to meet this New Year in Lvov, and Christmas – in Carpathians, in r-not Slavsky not to get far into mountains. But all has developed differently. Again we go to Poland! As holidays have already begun, it was possible to be engaged in the visa only since January, 4th. Have decided to be by this time as it is possible more close to border not to lose time. In Lvov after all too there is a consulate! Gathering have occupied all half-day and in 2nd morning we have already left Kiev...

Zakarpate is already almost Ukraine. The small area cut from the basic body of the country karpatskim by a ridge, became Ukrainian only 60 years ago. The tourist infrastructure develops rough rates round numerous nature sanctuaries and architecture. Borders four East Europe countries Here converge at once. People speak on any freakish dialect-mix. The local cuisine which also has taken best at neighbours, pleases with a variety of dishes on the basis of corn, mushrooms and dairy products. And karpatskuju a trout so do not prepare more anywhere...

Whether lepo ny bjashet, bratie, nachjati old slovesy difficult povesty... Though, why "old"? And why "difficult"? Anything difficult on a trip on the nearest to Kiev ancient siverskim to settlements of east Polesye is not present. Kozelets, Ostyor, Ljubech, Sednev. All interesting places from the excursion point of view are located near to a line Kiev-Chernigov, along Desna. Here there were cities annalistic, affairs epic here were created...

Xenia's birthday in Venice! So it is original to celebrate this holiday to us it was not necessary yet. Venice has been planned by me as the ending of three-week tour on Appeninsky peninsula which we have made in August. And with this city have appeared the brightest impressions are connected. There was still grandiose Vienna, bohemian Nice, the Renaissance Florence, ancient Rome and picturesque Naples. And such quantity of the greatest works of art for once I yet did not see never...

3 free days which have decided to devote to check of district around Shatsky lakes have stood out at us. And at the same time and some sights on road to glance over, which have escaped from earlier our attention. Were going to to leave on Friday morning, to glance in Vladimir-Volynsk, then to reach to Svitjazja where it will be arranged on two nights at lake, and on road home to drop in in the Jail. But all has gone at once naperekosjak – the severe fate has made the vandalism certificate over our plans...

In Morintsah the big holiday – in village conduct gas! Fellow countrymen Tarasa Shevchenko in 190 years after its birth at last will join a civilisation – till now conditions of their life were able, close by times of the childhood of the poet. Full excursion on shevchenkovskim to places can be made for one day if to leave not too late. From Kiev to native land Kobzarja only 2-2,5 hours to a course in a quiet mode (about 200 km). But we have traditionally gone with spending the night...

For an express trip for the white nights in Peter we have selected nonconventional for ourselves a way of movement – trains and planes. Have spent there in total 4 days that it seemed very little. But the obligatory program to execute were in time: the Hermitage, Peterhof, the Peter and Paul Fortress, some museums, «Literary cafe», water walk on channels, night cultivation of bridges etc. But the main thing - we have got on McCartney's concert on the Palace area!

Infinite virgin beach where you will not meet traces of the person, and an ultramodern aquapark with full service, colonies nepuganyh birds and crowd of idle tourists, old regional gostinichki and smart multistars hotels, pelmeni under cheap vodka in a snack bar and a magnificent supper at the Italian restaurant... It was travel full of contrasts. And only violence of blossoming grasses and juicy greens accompanied us everywhere is one of brightest advantages of a trip on the south of Ukraine in second half of May...

In Paradise it was not pleasant to us. I do not understand delights concerning this place. A garden small and a little started, without special sights. And the road there … Will reach not everyone. Much more pleasant impressions remained from CHortkova – very picturesque and cosy place. By the way, and resort Sataniv it is located in the same place, nearby. So, the choice is always...

Is expensive to be afraid – in autotravel not to go. To go it would be desirable so, that has not stopped even approximate representation about a spring condition of roads of local value in the Chernigov area. The blessing, that distance between three pearls of dvortsovo-park art CHernigovshchiny are absolutely insignificant – no more than 30 km. At a high-speed mode in 40-60 km/h (sometimes 20-40) they are quite overcome for half an hour lost-free for wheels and a suspension bracket...

When we approached on pass Tihutsu, sticky sleet has gone. It moulded in a windshield, covered roadsides and instantly thawed on asphalt, threatening with drifts on an abrupt streamer of road. Beams of headlights snatched out gloomy silhouettes of century fur-trees from darkness, from time to time over road the bared rocks hung, and instead of a parapet along roadsides there was an ominous paling. Passers came across all less often, and passing for a long time it was not visible any more. I have suddenly paid attention, that for a long time did not notice any traffic signs...

Friends Donetsk, roofing felts for fun, roofing felts seriously have invited us, to visit their nice native land, and for one and birthday of one of them to note. And at all did not assume, that we will agree. :) Week of time in a stock was available, and, having understood with line affairs, have Tuesday afternoon left towards Kharkov. The matter is that have agreed to meet in Slavjanogorske, that on border of Donetsk and Kharkov areas, and in Kharkov it was not possible to happen yet...

The idea of a trip across the Eastern Europe on the avto ripened for a long time, but the decision was accepted suddenly. The initial plan assumed the following route: Krakow, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Transylvania, and then any of the Black Sea or Adriatic resorts. But time has introduced the corrective amendments. It has been decided to be limited only to the visa-free countries (Poland, Hungary, Romania) and any resort in a southern part of Bulgaria...

In Gogol places we some times chose a trip as day off round (more precisely, two-three days off) when decided to go on searches of new impressions, accessible by the car from in a current of 2-4 hours. From Kiev to Poltava hardly 300 kilometres – it there are more. On road – weight of interesting places, worthy visitings. The majority of them is connected with a name of great writer N. V.Gogol: Mirgorod, Sorochintsy, Dikanka...

Approach of "gold" autumn has reminded of one of the most fascinating autorounds – on cities and locks of the Western Ukraine. Except locks, it would be desirable to visit all regional centres of this region and simply interesting places also. The week route has been planned: Kiev-Dubno-Lutsk-Pidgirtsy-Zolochev-Olesko-Lvov-Frankovsk-JAremche-Uzhgorod-Ternopol-Kiev. Have very successfully chosen trip time – October when it was not too cold, leaves yet do not singe, but the nature already with might and main behaved violently yellow and red colours...

Excursion on locks of Podolia – one of the most interesting rounds of the day off, and not only for admirers fortifikatsionnogo arts. It both magnificent landscapes, and special colour of small Podolsk small towns and original kitchen. And, certainly, bandzhi-dzhamping on the bridge the Running fallow deer over small river Smotrich. Kamenets-Podolsk konon became the first place in Ukraine where have organised jumps headfirst on an elastic band...

Knjazhy we visited Hailstones of Ukraine CHergigov with the excursion purpose two times. Both is rather successfully and interestingly! For those who is yet familiar with one of the most ancient Russian cities (yes patriots misters will excuse for such definition me – the Kiev Russia means), I can give some practical recommendations. Experience small, but exclusively tourist. So...

Shortly about a trip on CHerkasshchine (it seems, first my distant trip by the car). It is possible to reach there several routes, as on right (through Butts, Kagarlyk, Mironovku), and on the left coast of Dnepr (Borispol, perejaslav, Zolotonosha). An exact route any more I will not recollect, so I can not give the recommendation and from the point of view of quality of roads. Therefore it is short about sights...