A.B. Away: Kiev-Kamyanets-Podilsky

(Lesley) It rained a lot while we were in Kiev; more than normal apparently. Because of the weather, we stayed in more than usual, which made the fact that we got a good hostel even more valuable. We stayed at St Sophia's, a new hostel in a great neighbourhood. It had fast Wifi so we skyped a bit and blogged and researched things. Alex, the owner, was really nice, he drove us to a big supermarket so we got a load of food and were able to cook rather than eat in restaurants. We did go out and see some sights: the Museum of the Great Patriotic War; the Chernobyl Museum and the Lavra (the main base of the Ukrainian Church). We walked all around town and got a feel for Kiev. I even convinced the others that we needed to go to the ballet. They weren't keen until the lights were down and the fun began. Then I had to put up with them twirling and leaping all the way home.

After Kiev, we took a night train to Kamyanets-Podilsky and the nice man who was to share a compartment with me and the children, kindly offered to switch with John so that we could all be together. This was a sacrifice on his part because he gave up a bottom berth for a top berth. We were grateful. The trains in the Ukraine have been great! We have taken two and have slept well and in comfort, both times. The Turkish train was great too, (except the one chance we had to use one we spent the night on the platform waiting for the late train, then slept part of the day in the comfort of our compartment only to arrive in time to search for a hotel and beds at the other end). The Georgian trains got good reviews but we never managed to get on one because they were all booked up. And the Indian trains, well, they were just a hoot. We never spent the money for classy accommodations that included sheets like the trains in the Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey. Perhaps next time.

Kamyanets-Podilsky is a popular place to visit while in Ukraine. It has a neat old town and a fort on the edge of a cliff. The old town is surrounded by a river where there is a sharp loop. The land is high on both sides with cliffs, so the river acts as a moat around the town. Pretty nice set up really. There is another fort about 30 minutes away on the bus so we went and checked that out too. The other fort is smaller but classic and bold. Apparently it was used in a movie or two. They were both great forts, not as big as the ones we saw in France, but spectacular none the less.

We are nearing the end of our hard core travel days. We are getting ready to go home, and thinking about our return. Our pace has slowed a bit too. We seem to stay at least 2 or 3 days at each stop and do a little less each day. However, we still have things we want to see and plan to enjoy the last month of our travels. We booked our flights home. Three of them; as we will go in stages.

Photos: Mhari and John enjoy a chai in our compartment; View of and from K-P Fort;