As a follow up to the last post, I did cross the border from Ukraine into Transdniestr and have to report a miserable and expensive crossing. I'm sure that this was not helped by the torrential rain that accompanied my transit of this troubled region but it really wasn't worth it.
On the Ukrainian exit point a couple of EU workers from Poland advising the Ukrainians on border procedures suggested that 90% of EU passport holders get turned back and that they need to pay lots of money to get in. Not fancying a 100km detour to get through the simple crossing I went on and got stung by the police, immigration and customs to the tune of $60 ouch. The customs is the only official looking charge. The police called it '  /pivo money' and the immigration guy said simply 'if you do not give me 20euros you can go back to Ukraine'.
When the 'business' was concluded the immigration guy even had the nerve to try to be friendly. I advised him the bribes were just too high and he should take the little and often approach in future.
Would I do it again? Certainly not. Gets my vote for the most miserable 'country' on the face of planet Earth.
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