Across Hungary to Ukraine

I staggered out of bed Sunday morning. I knew I had a long way to go. In the 2.5 days I had been in Hungary I had spent as much as 8 days in Ukraine. It was time for me to get back! I had about 700km to cover. I said my good byes to everyone and headed out. Passing just through Budapest I took the northern highway across Hungary headed east. I drove and drove stopping as little as possible. Then I noticed I had no more turn signals.... Well I stopped to get gas and briefly looked at it but could figure nothing out so I kept going.

About 550km later I got to the Ukraine border. Coming back into Ukraine was simple and easy. Nobody cared if you were smuggling something in there was no need to check every piece of baggage. So I had 150km to go in Ukraine the road conditions were bound to get worse..

Along the way I found this cool church!

My goal was Syniver Lake in the Carpathians. 

The road to get there had great scenery!

I found the entrance to the lake. I had to pay a fee to get in and I was told I couldnt camp there.... Well It was about 8:00 pm or so. I decided I would find a camping spot nearby and see the lake in the morning. I asked the guards if they knew of a place and they said any place along the river that runs by the road is fine. I asked if it was safe. Ahhhh Normalna we have a lot of tourist here its no problem nobody will bother you.

I had seen this green spot on my way there so I went back to it

The only way to get there though was across this walking bridge that was about 1 meter wide....

After checking it out it seemed doable. I hesitantly crossed the bridge and drove up to the picnic tables in the back ground. Set up my tent and started to work on the bike. I had heard a strange noise. Found the belt guard loose so tightened it up. Then started to work on the turn signal issue. Found a resistor I had installed had burned up. So I jumped around the resistor and the turn signals worked again, they blinked incredibly fast but worked.

As I was dong this these 2 boys came up to talk to me. Their Russian was as limited as mine but we had a grand conversation. I let them sit on the bike take photos start it up and rev the motor. They were as happy as could be.

I went to sleep but about 4 in the morning I was woken up by a car. I was looking out my tent and these guys in a big Soviet 4x4 came across the river and went into the mountains behind me. It took me a while to figure out what was going on but once I saw there were not interested in me I went back to sleep.

Hungarian Warriors Meeting!

I hung out at Mcdonalds for a while. they had free refills so I must of drank like 15 Coke's. Finally I headed out with the destination being Balaton Lake, Tihany to be exact. the road was good and I was in no hurry. I was to met some friends there but not until late afternoon. I saw this statue so stopped to check it out.

Of course its Soviet.... A cemetery with soldiers from WWII

It was in rough shape but I have seen worse.

From there I continues onwards towards Tihany. It was another hot day. I arrived earlier than I really wanted but it was nice to be there. A few hours later a few more guys rolled in.

By evening everyone had showed up! This is the annual European meeting of Yamaha Warriors. This year it was hosted by the Hungarians! That night we stayed up way to late drinking beer and Planeka, local version of homemade alcohol.

The next morning everyone stumbled out of bed, there were a little over 40 bikes there. We had a planned ride out today.

We rode all over the country side I think about 100 miles total.

We did have one guy go down on the ride but it was fairly minor. All in all it was a great ride, hot but good!

here is the last stop.

That evening there was more beer, palenka and food!

They had a rockabilly band to play! They put on a good show!

This was the third of these type of gatherings I have made it to in the last 5 years. This was by far the most fun! Good music good food and good people! Cant ask for much more!

Climbing Hoverla

The next morning I woke up with no real place to be. I didnt have a good plan oh where to go or what to do. I started driving and saw a sign for the highest mountain in Ukraine. So I headed that way. You have to pay a 25 Greiven, $1.00, entrance fee then drive about 10km on a fairly horrible road to get to the starting point. From there its a 3km hike.

You start by scampering up a trail covered in tree roots again.

Just when you think that is coming to an end, there is more....

So I ascended into the dizzying heights, a little over 2,000 meters, as I went it got colder and the wind picked up. There were probably 100 people or so all doing their best Edmond Hillary as we huffed and puffed while still crawling forward. Finally the trees stopped and then you just tromped uphill through some rocks. Then just uphill and up hill and up hill. Then 2 hours later the top!

It was odd to be there. The clouds came and went. It was rather cold and the wind was pretty strong also. The strangest thing for me though was as people would get to the top they would scream "слава Україна!!!!", Glory to Ukraine!!!!. I have mentioned this to many people but I find it incredibly odd. As a foreigner it just doesnt process in my head. If a guy climbs Mt. McKinley in Alaska when he gets to the top does he scream "God Bless America!!" I have discussed this with my Ukrainian friends and most find it to be acceptable and even smile with a far off glare in their eyes to think about it. I still find it strange but so be it to each their own.

Here I am thankful that all that exercise I get, like waking up in the morning and breathing, has paid off!

Then it was time for me to go

There were 2 routes to the top. One was 3.5 km but recommended because it was not so difficult. The other was 3km but supposed to be steeper and more difficult. I went up on the 3km difficult route and down on the easy route. Who ever decided which was easy and hard should be shot.... The easy route was CRAZY!!!! Boulder jumping and sliding down mud slopes was the name of the game.

About half way down there was a group resting. They asked me if it got easier.... I laughed and said nope only worse from here! I am not sure if me being honest was the best thing for them but no point in getting their hopes up for an easy way.

I made it down no problem it took 2 hours up and 2 hours down. I was tired so I drank some tea then headed out. A ways down the road was the geographical center of Europe, or at least at some point someone said that.

I believe it was the Germans who said it first

From there I trucked on forward! I was looking for a good camping spot next to some water so I could swim. I wasnt having any luck though so finally I stopped at a roadside hotel. I asked the young lady, in Russian, for a room. She said ohh just wait. She came back in a bit with an old man..... She didnt know Russian or English. We were close to the Romanian border her native language is Romanian. She can do Ukrainian or Hungarian also.... The old man helped me out no problems we chatted a bit then I called it a night!

Petrozavodsk to Moscow

After dropping Okcana off at the Train Station I started back towards Moscow. It was a long ways and I figured the roads would be crap.

Found this as I was leaving Petrozavodsk

I tried to by pass St. Petersburg and went to Ladoga instead.

I also found this Dam somewhere along the way

I wound up staying in Veliky Novgorod. Its one of the oldest cities in Russia. over 1000 years old

They had a Kremlin with a beach in front of it!

From there the road back to Moscow was pretty boring. Nothing exciting happened. I reported to work the next day :(

Kivach Waterfall

The next day we decided to go see the Kivach Waterfall Okcana had wanted to see this since she was a child. 

It was difficult to find it, mostly because we had an old map. Finally though we stumbled across it

She was happy

As we were leaving we ran into this guy. He is from Switzerland and checking out northern Russia

We headed back to Petrozavodsk for the night. Okcana decided the roads were so bad that maybe it would be better if she just took the train to get back home. So the next day I dropped her off at the train station.

Kizhi Island in Lake Onega, Russia

We got tickets to go see Kizhi Island. Its in the middle of Lake Onega with an amazing church that was built on it in the late 1700's

Our ride was a Hydrofoil

It took about 3 hours to get there

This is the reward!

The island is full of old wooden buildings that have been moved there turning the whole island into a museum

Then it was back to Petrozavodsk and looking around. They had this concrete wishing tree in the city.

Around lake Onega to Petrozavodsk, Russia

The next day we kept going north we came to Lake Onega near the city of Megra. The scenery on the way was really great!

Then we started around Lake Onega. my Atlas said it should be good roads. Well I guess that is subjective. On an offroad bike maybe but on a street bike that is overloaded.... NO WAY!

We got to a river that had to be crossed. the Atlas again said there should be a bridge but we couldnt find it. We ended up using a ferry. It was quiet an adventure.

After that we continued north finally making Petrozavodsk!!! It was about 300 miles of dirt roads but we made it!!!!!

Ribinsk and Ferapontov Monastary, Russia

The next day we continued north.

First passing the town of Ribinsk. We didn't stay long here we had a lot of ground to cover.

Just after Ribinsk we were driving through the forest when suddenly the trees had all been pushed over. We suppose a storm had come through earlier.

We passed through Vologda and went north to Farapontov Monastary. Its on the world heritage list but there isn't to much to see.

After that we found a place to camp but the mosquitoes were horrendous!