Vacation Day 12

A bit of a rotten journey back. We left Kiev airport on schedule but a family of three became ill on the flight and so, when we landed, we were detained on the plane while the family were taken to the regional Covid testing station (fortunately it is at the airport). After about four hours the tests came back negative and we were allowed to disembark and go home. Clearly the weather here has been so much better than where we were but the good news is that some kind person had cut the grass in our absence. Was it you? Wonder what needs doing tomorrow.

Vacation Day 11

Who would have thought that a day excursion to Chernobyl Exclusion zone would be on of the most interesting things to do in Ukraine. Great reviews on trip advisor. Wildlife is making a comeback. Social distancing said not to be necessary because radiation kills covid but personally I am not persuaded. Home tomorrow

Vacation Day 10

Last night's chicken Kiev was very tasty. However, I am afraid it is another authentic Ukrainian meal tonight - this time at a rustic restaurant onshore. Busy day today in Kiev visit to St Sophia's Cathedral, the Monastery of the Caves and Folk Museum. Kiev is a charming and colourful city. I didn't manage to get to the barber as there was a long queue and he seemed only to do extremely short back and sides. Jenny did however manage to zoom in on her Tuesday coffee group from the cafe opposite the monastery. Tomorrow, out last full day, we have decided to go on the day excursion to Chernobyl exclusion zone as it has rave reviews on trip advisor.

Vacation Day 9

A tranquil sail from Zaporozhye to Kiev with no land activities. Certainly, didn't stop at the floating brothel (photo below) which Jenny says is not on the itinerary tomorrow either. Weather nothing to write home about. Obviously chicken Kiev on the menu tonight. There comes a point in any holiday when you begin to look forward to returning home and I think we are about ready to head back although Kiev should be interesting and I may find a barber

Vacation Day 8

There are people of many nationalities on the ship but about half are Americans and we met more of them at the quiz night – quite few of them (but thankfully not Julian and Josilyn) are Trump supporters and members of the National Rifle Association so we won’t be socialising with them more than we have to.

This morning we visited a massive hydroelectric plant – the kind of tour one might have had as a tourist in the soviet era - to show off the People’s engineering achievemenst. At least it wasn’t Chernobyl.

Then across the dam to a Cossack fortress on Khortitsa Island now converted into a museum with the usual tourist paraphernalia.

The weather continues to be disappointing.

Vacation Day 7

Fingernail update & cruising up the Dnieper river through the Breadbasket of Europe to Kherson founded in 1778 by Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin, on the orders of Catherine the Great. Little remains of the initial fortress other than one of the gates.

Vacation Day 6

Busy day today with early morning start at the colourful market with fabulous sea food forcing me to buy a portion of prawns to eat while paddling in the sea.
A moving visit to the Jewish quarter; 80% of the Jewish population was exterminated in 1941/42 but the survival rate was higher than other parts of Eastern Europe because the then Romanian administration refused to deport the remaining Jews when the tide of war turned against the Germans on the Eastern Front.

Then a tour of the catacombs which formed part of the defensive network and a hiding place for partisans during the war. You wouldn’t want to get separated from you guide down here.
The sea food dinner tonight could be a highlight.

Vacation Day 5

I am beginning to lose track of the time with so much relaxation and comfort but think we are on Day 5. The Ukrainian meal last night was OK but will be sticking to International Cuisine tonight. Had a bit of a headache this morning which I blame on the hrenovuha (strong vodka made from horseradish root possibly mixed with diesel). Did manage to get out on the sundeck before sight seeing and the weather closing in.