Belarus & Ukraine
 

Hi, I'm thinking about heading into Belarus & Ukraine around July/August this year.
I'll be aiming to do the round trip in 3 weeks, I'll be staying in hotels (hopefully!).
Anyone been that way that can offer some general advice/tips etc?


Thanks for reading,

JC

While in Estonia last year I met up with a French Traveler who had just "escaped" from the Ukraine.
His vechicle ( a borrowed camper van belonging to his cousin ) was impounded. All because his perscription painkillers were illegal in the Ukraine.
After 3 days of interegation the French Consulate got him out, but he was told to forget about the campervan as it was probably now the property of an imagration / customs official.

The Ukraine and various other states are opening up & many travelers are having great trips, but beware ! Breach their laws (however innocently) and all bet's are off .

Thankfully incendents like this are getting fewer (but they still happen).

Hope I haven't put you off your trip.:thumbup1:
Have a good one:mchappy:

Rory

Thanks for your response fella, I tend to numb most things with alcohol....not anticipating a shortage of that over there.....

I like to visit places before they get completely westernised. I'E Starbucks macD's etc etc.
I think Belarus may be the last one to fall completely.

Interesting...can you say how the painkillers even came to light? Was it at the border crossing or something?

At a Border crossing.
They were in a medical kit which was declared on the way in but fully inspected on the way out.
The painkillers were still sealed but he was accused of being a drug dealer.
He was interogated for three days and not allowed to contact anyone in that time.
After Consulate intervention he had to get two lawyers one French and one from the Ukraine.
It got very messey and expensive.
Thankfully this is not a common occurance.

Rory

What a nightmare, very bizzare! A bit too close to a "Midnight Express" scenario for comfort.

I really don't belive in this kind of stories. Ukraine is normal country with helpfull people, but of course it is not like western country. You must know that you enter Eastern Europe in Ukraine.

Bartosz

Just got back from a 3 week trip that took in Ukraine. I had a great time there, great country with very helpful people, no hassle at all apart from 1 stop by the police. We basically just ignored them...
I recommend it to anyone looking to travel out that way, the roads can be a bit bumpy in places and I'd ignore your satnav unless you like wet dirt roads....following road signs will take you on the newest roads I found.

I've been in Belarus a few times for work in the last years. (so not on the bike)
I always loved it there, great friendly people and beautiful culture.

Mainly been in Grondo/Hrodno/Grodna (they mess up the names themselves all the time), and been on the northern strip of land going east mainly for a few hunderd km's.

I know from the people I worked with up there that there is a lot of corruption; they always had cash in their cars for police etc, although I have never seen any corruption.
I always felt supersafe there, also going out a night by muself through the city.
Most people do not speak any English, even not in posh restaurants.
You do find a lot of very drunk vodka-drinkers which try to get your attention as you are a reason to celebrate with another vodka I think ;-). They were never agressive, but sometimes quite annoying. Same everywhere in the world I think, but here there are a few more.
Be aware, in the winter the temperature goes to minus 35 C, in summer above 35C!

At the border, everything is very slow and luckily I always had belarussians with me ;-) Few times I had to buy medical insurance (although I had proof two worldwilde insurances, personal and from the company) Still, had to get Belarussian insurance, which cost about 2 USD/week or something ;-) Once tried to buy some water at the little shop at the border, only to find out they only sold Vodka... ;-)

Last warning: the women.... they are stunningly beautiful and tend to wear close to nothing ;-)

Hey - I've done Belarus also and I concur wit everything you've said !

The people are friendly and the roads are fantastic. There is very little aggression in the culture and the women are stunning....all of them.... seriously.

I can feel a bike trip coming n Summer 2012 to Belarus !

I'm planning a loop through Belarus, Western Russia, Ukraine and Moldova in late April/early May 2012. Planning to link in with the Russian and Ukrainian rounds of the World Sidecar Motocross Championship provisionally set for 29.04.12 in Nelidovo and 06.05.12 in Chernivsti respectively. Should be confirmed this month.