Planning a trip to Zaporozhye Ukraine

[Christopher]

I am thinking of stopping in Zaporozhye this summer and was wondering about anyone's impressions of this place, places to go there, and possible contacts there.

Hi Chris,

I have been there and I liked it a lot. The city has about 900,000 people and I found them to be hospitable and interesting. I have a lot of fond memories of that place, I wouldn't mind going back sometime. The city is laid out real nice too; it is pretty easy to get around because of Lenin's Prospect. LP is the 2nd longest street in Europe. It starts on the bank of the Dnipre at a park sporting the tallest statue of Lenin that I have ever seen. Looking east from the park, Lenin's Prospect just seems to go on and on forever in a straight line. Just about anything that you will need or want can be found on that street. Trams, buses and taxis jam up and down that street constantly so getting around is a breeze.

I was also impressed with the food there, it kinda reminded me of Danish food with the red beets and various pork dishes. If you do go there, be sure and go through the museum on Hortitz island, it is quite fascinating. The also have a large hydro-electric dam there called Dniprogas. I forgot the name of the hotel where I stayed but you should be able to get a decent room there for about 30 bucks, unless you are one of those 5-star types, hehe.

Zaporozhye was the first place that I ever tried chiberook (sp?) I was in a large market and I followed my nose to the back of the store where a little fast food bar was set up. There is no shortage of nice looking gals in Zaporozhye, so don't panic if things don't work out with the gal you are writing to now.

I was there in the winter time so I don't know what summer is like there. I can tell you that is is very cold and white in the winter. I knew a great interpreter named Dennis who worked pretty cheap too, but unfortunately, I lost contact with him. Have your girl check the local newspapers for English speaking adds; that is how I found this guy and there are probably more.

Best wishes to you -

 

~Bear

 

[groovlstk]

I was in Zap last July and I was surprised at how nice it was. I'd read others complaining about the pollution, but when I was there it was cool and sunny and the air was clear (perhaps on humid Summer days with no breeze it's a different story).

As Bear said, the main drag is pretty impressive. You'll be amazed by the number of trees that line this street. I wish I'd taken a photo, but I have a few photos of other parts of Zap (PM me if you'd like to see them).

There's a small beach on the bank of the Dnipr and I was shocked at how clean it was. I don't know if people actually swim in the Dnipr... It's a huge contrast with Dnepropetrovsk, which is only an hour south. The river banks there are choked with empty beer and vodka bottles and trash, it's disgraceful.

One tip: Bring mosquito repellent! The mosquitoes there are big and nasty. Close your windows at night and spray the ceiling and corners of your bedroom, or you'll wake up with bites all over. 

Good call Groov, I do have a few pics of Zaporozhye, but most of them are of the museum. Enjoy! -

http://snuggle-bear.hudlevo.com/zaporozhye_winter_2002.htm 



~Bear

 

[Tim7]

I have been there and I didnt like it!

 

Regards

[Christopher]

Thanks for the pictures bear.  I am looking at heading there June 14 through July 6.  I was thinking of taking the train down from Kiev and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this?  I did a little search n the web but did not find a schedule.  Is there a high speed train to Dnepropetrovsk?  How long would the trip be?  Is it safe to do?  Groovlstk and Bear are there any nightclubs you would recomend there?

[groovlstk]

I took the train from Kiev to Zap, it's 12 hours. Make sure you get 1st class tickets, otherwise those 12 hours are going to seem like an eternity. There were no 1st class berths available when I travelled last July and man, it was not a pleasant journey. You might want to look into taking a bus, as the train moves very slowly.

[wiz]

I am looking at heading there June 14 through July 6.�  I was thinking of taking the train down from Kiev and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this?�  I did a little search n the web but did not find a schedule.�

Tatyana workd for te train company and she will giv you al the answers

Edited to remove outside link. Please let Tatyana know there are people HERE who would enjoy seeing her information HERE.

- Dan

[BC]

Wiz,

Interesting site.. are you the same person as Wiz their forum ?? .. hope not. ???

[Chris]

Christopher,

I travelled overnight train in Ukraine last year.  Did it thru a Ukrainian based travel agent which I found on the net.   Very smooth service, they replied to my e-mail the same day.  Thru them I got an English-speaking driver to meet me at the airport in Kiev and drive me to the train station, hand over the train tickets and see me off to the right track, as well as explain everything I needed to know about their train system.  Round-trip train ticket, the car transfer and services of the agent cost alltogether about $ 100.

Now, I went 2nd class and had very friendly campanions in my compartment. But a couple of compartments down the hall, there were some boisterous, beer-drinking guys in their 20-ies. Don't think it would have been a nice trip should I have been put in their compartment...   So I share the advice of getting a 1st class ticket.

[jpd]

Christoper - my fiancee is from Zap - she'll be coming to the US (K-1) in about 3 weeks - if  you want to contact me I'll be happy to get some information for you about the city - contacts, where to stay etc.

Paul

[Christopher]

Wiz they edited out your link could you send it to my email address?

[Admin]

Wiz they edited out your link could you send it to my email address?

Christopher,

Check out the information in the RWD Wiki. There is a page set up specifically for CIS train travel, here -- http://russianwomendiscussion.com/wiki/index.php?Flight%2C%20Bus%20%26%20Train%20Timetables

I have a hunch you can find anything you want there.

- Dan

[2tallbill]

Good luck on your trip. I would recommend contacting Pavel in Kiev. He can provide a train schedule and buy you a first class ticket which could be sold out when you arrive and try to buy it yourself. He is a great guy and very reliable. I would also bring a small flashlight (power outages are common, toilet paper (for the train) baby wipes (they have a hundred uses)

Good luck UdAchi!

Bill

[Michelangelo]

I spent 10 days in Zaporozhye in March a year ago.  I liked the city a lot!  Great market, nice hotels (I had a great flat for $45 a day), good museum, great food, super discos, and a great bowling alley.  I flew into the Dnepr airport and flew back to Kiev directly form the Zap airport.  Inexpensive, and lots faster than the train! 

In my case, there was no agency involved, and the girl I was visiting and her mother took great care of me...having a local on hand is a big plus!  They even got me a couple days of work when I was there...all play and no work is bad, you know 

The girl I met there was wonderful, and I would have married her eventually, had I not met someone else in Dnepr 6 months later.

[Marcopolo]

Hi Guys,


     I am planning a trip to Ukraine also. I don't know if I missed is within each thread but if you guys responding get a chance -the contact info for these travel agencies AND driver type services would be INVALUABLE.

Thanks,


Marcopolo

[Michelangelo]

Hi Guys,
     I am planning a trip to Ukraine also. I don't know if I missed is within each thread but if you guys responding get a chance -the contact info for these travel agencies AND driver type services would be INVALUABLE.

Thanks,
Marcopolo

Paval is a good and decent and honest guide and interp based in Kiev.  I've used him several times, as have a half dozen others on this board.  He can get you an apartment, get air and train tickets, and get you a safe driver.  I've used him for all of these.  Oh yea, he got me a hot, hot date one night in Kiev, too!

His phone is 80672832468; his email is paul_na@ukr.net

[Voyageur]

I will add my endorsement to Mike's. Pavel is a great guy. He managed to amaze me with his capability and helpfulness each time we crossed paths.

I am only sorry that I probably won't see him again too soon, as there is no longer any need for me to travel to Kiev.