ACCOUNT OF ONE's TRAVEL

- Preview -

The Adventure begins. Our Group of Operation Friendship Bavaria takes off on the 10^th August 2009 by Aerosvit, departing from Prague to the International Airport of Kiev. Before further departing, there has been some time for lunch, drinking and relaxing – but, not really, ‘cause some nearby door sensor nerved by constant beeping. Lateron, we went to the national airport – next door, very nice, for taking off again. Our next plane has been some times smaller, but even louder machine, getting us to our final destination – Sevastopol. Finally arriving there, we have been welcomed by Irina, Sascha and an comfortable minibus. At least, we needed to go for additional two hours, until we finally got to know our new host family , in Yalta. Arriving at my new home for two weeks, the first thing I did has been an inspection of my bathroom (=

On Tuesday, the 11^th August, the host families were able to use the day for own activities, for that I was able to enjoy the nearby sea, after a great breakfast and enough sleeping. At night, we all got together for the welcome party at the school of Gursuf, were some good meal, but also great games, tons of fun and good entertainment should await us. Although we were tired, we didn’t want to miss the impressive walkaround in Gursuf at night.

Also, the following Wednesday has been a day full of program, starting with some very interesting (private) stone museum, and afterwards, a wonderful, very photogenically park, and at least, a short break for relaxing at the black sea. Afterwards, we headed back to the host families.

On Thursday, the 13^th August, the Crimean Climate spoilt us by (for us) hot 34° degrees Celsius, while we were visiting the monastery of Bakchisaray. The funny thing about that was the fact that men as well as women were forced to wear a cloth around their hips, paying respect to the only male monks. But this was not the end, so we went on a half-an-hour walk to a nearby village in the rocks. On our way, there have been some stalls, where you be able to buy drinks and food, but also souvenirs, if you wanted to do so. Arriving finally at the village, an impressive panorama disclosed, time for photos!

Lateron, it has been time for heading to the bus, taking us to the Khan palace, also in Bakhchisaray. During the sometimes less understandable guided tour, we met some german tour groups, whom we joint, for better understanding of what has been said.

Friday is time for bathing. For enjoying the beautiful, sunny day, we promptly headed for the beach of Yalta, for having lots of fun, or just for relaxing.

Alive and awake from yesterday, we went to the panorama today, on August the 15^th. What’s that, the interested reader might ask now. So, let me explain in a few sentences. Imagine an very impressive 360° painting, showing a war scene during the defence of Sevastopol in 1854/55 during the Crimean war against GB, France, Turkey and Sardinia. For that you nearly feel as it is real, the setting has been improved by real items in the foreground. Unfortunately, we needed to pass through the museum very quickly, thanks to the peoples rushing in.

Continuing in Sevastopol, we visited a greek excavation site (at the Black Sea J).

The upcoming Sunday was meant to be a family day. Together with my host Anya, we met up with Constantin, Denis, Marie and Theresa, as well with their hosts Olga and Valentina at the botanical garden of Nikita. After having a late lunch, we played badminton in together.

Monday, August the 17^th 2009. We’re heading to Ukraine’s 2^nd-highest mountain, the Ai Petri (translated “Saint Peter”). By cable car, we reached the ca. 1100 metres high plateau, from where we walked about 30 minutes, before having picnic. After lunch, there has been lots of time for games in common, may it be ball catching, or hide and seek. Afterwards, all interested were invited for climbing the top, but unfortunately, this goal weren’t reached in the end, ‘cause of the fact that you needed to pay for getting there. But no matter, changing plans, we went to a tartaric restaurant in the hills, from where we had an impressive view on the distant Black Sea and the rocks around. It hasn’t been to warm today, ‘cause of the ever-present cool breath of air. Nevertheless, the danger of a sunburn has been high, because of no cloud in the sky, combined with a sunny day.

Today, it’s time for getting to know the place where a very important conference took place, the one with Yalta in it’s name…

It’s the Livadia Palace, where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided what to do with the later on defeated Germany. But enough about that, you can read about that in every history book. What has been much more interesting, has been Irina’s perfect guided tour, telling us about the history of that historic place and his former residents, which unfortunately were victims of an tragedy. Afterwards, we were supposed to see the Swallows nest, getting to there by boat. The fabulous castle turned out to be a small, but beautiful white small castle, now used as a luxus restaurant. However, the view upside the cliff is utterly worthwhile.

Exhausted by yesterday, the number of our members today has reduced dramatically, so our guided tour through the marble cave has been clearer. But starting off by getting to the cave, we were able to enjoy the bus tour, getting to know Yalta, important celebrities and the special climate. The cave was very impressive, having a good camera was a benefit J

On Thursday, the 20^th August 2009, we went to the Vorontsov Palace in Alupka, arranged in a beautiful orientalic style. Again, we were able to enjoy a guided tour by Irina, telling us in best english everything we needed to know about the palace and his former owners.

As usual, this palace had a public park, in which we had our picnic – after guided tour of course. As it has been very warm today, too, it has been a pleasure that the Black Sea has been near, for that we decided to spend the rest of the day swimming in the sea or by sunbathing at the beach.

On Friday, the 21^th August, we went to Balaklava, where we visited the Foros church. Besides the very interesting inside, the surrounding of that church left nothing to be desired, there has been mountains as well as the – you guessed right – the Black Sea. Afterwards, we went to the harbor, where we were able to enjoy a long boat trip. In addition, the friendly captain told interested people about the various instruments on board, and also had nothing against people climbing on the boat – what nice J But probably the climax was the short break for swimming in the sea. Afterwards, a tour through the former submarine headquarter, now an very interesting museum, was finishing the official program, the rest was for free disposal.

The upcoming Saturday was meant as family day again.

Sunday, the 23^th August 2009: Until evening, we again had time for sunbathing, beach and games. Then the time has come for presenting all those great experiences, but also some songs, to our Ukrainian hosts. Those have been working as well, they also reflected our great time, and brought great music, but also a theatre to take part in. All in all, this has been a really really great evening.

After Monday’s family day, used for some last minute shopping tours, we left on Tuesday, the 25^th August by minibus, and at least departing by early plane from Simferopol, to our long way home.

by Benedikt Richter 2009