Some tips for Nikolaev?

[calmissile]

I will probably only stay a few days in Nikolaev unless something causes me to want to stay longer.   

For those familiar with the city, do you have any quick recommendations for night life, sites to visit, etc,

[ML]

I have never been to this particular city; but I met a very nasty woman from this city, in another city.

I am wondering what you are doing there; if you didn't have prearranged meetings with someone ???? 

[calmissile]

I have had a nurse friend here for over a year.  First time to meet her in person and deliver a gift I promised some time ago.

[Eduard]

I have had a nurse friend here for over a year.  First time to meet her in person and deliver a gift I promised some time ago.

wise move, Doug! Every one should have a nursefriend or a docfriend just in case something happens!   

[calmissile]

wise move, Doug! Every one should have a nursefriend or a docfriend just in case something happens! 

It's been in the back of my mind for quite a while.  Unfortunately, she is recovering from a car accident and was recently released from the hospital.  She lived, so that is a good recommendation for the hospital.  LOL

[Shadow]

It's been in the back of my mind for quite a while.  Unfortunately, she is recovering from a car accident and was recently released from the hospital.  She lived, so that is a good recommendation for the hospital.  LOL

Before or after her visa got approved ? 

[calmissile]

Before or after her visa got approved ? 

Somehow your question went over my head.  Please clarify.

[Jumper]

I've been there, my wife is from there.
It's a  pretty typical provincial Ukrainian city.
It is an old seaport and ship building city.

It has a pleasant downtown district  , not large ,
but nice to walk around in , with some nice park areas along the river leading to the bay/harbour.

Several nice restaurants/cafes' downtown, and certain roads closed on the weekends for foot traffic and artist showing paintings etc.

I liked the city and it had ,to me , a small hometown atmosphere.
(others have hated it of course).
I dint go to any clubs or night life.. I kind of burned the candle at both ends for far too long to care about any of that anymore, If anything i avidly  avoid those places.
I did go to the bowling lanes there, and a Ukrainian restaurant a bit out of town which had a unique atmosphere and great food .i'll try and get you the name.


If you get away from the city center you'll experience your typical rows of soviet flat buildings,
further out,  there are some fairly western style suburbs with that typical style of housing tracts. generally pretty big homes
There are also large areas with the smaller homes typical of any provincial city in the FSU.

A few photos of Nikolaev from my trip.

[Jumper]

Sea Shell Stairway from the river area up to the downtown district



top of this stairway overlooking the habour

[Jumper]

Me and the obligatory statue of Lenin

[Hammer2722]

Somehow your question went over my head.  Please clarify.

I believe Shadow was making a joke. Took me a minute to catch on.

[CanadaMan]

I will probably only stay a few days in Nikolaev unless something causes me to want to stay longer.   

For those familiar with the city, do you have any quick recommendations for night life, sites to visit, etc,

I didn't think you needed any recommendations.
I thought you were making out just fine.
I could have sworn that was you in the photo posted on our sister site:
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=17830.msg285919;topicseen#msg285919   

[Jumper]

calmissle, since i read you found the mcdonalds and its closed temporarily
(good riddance i'd say   )


If you hadn't found them yet,
there are several; quite popular restaurants around that square, and afew more about a block away.


also quite a few more along the same street back towards the habour


even a pizza joint if you are so inclined

[Anotherkiwi]

calmissle, since i read you found the mcdonalds and its closed temporarily
(good riddance i'd say   )...

But Jumper - the McDonald's in Nikolaev at least has a Western toilet!
 
The whole establishment was very clean and cheerful when I was there two years ago.

[Jumper]

lol true.
I went in there to use the WiFi once.I'm just not a fast food fan.
and when traveling i particularly enjoy trying out local cafe's / restaurants / local dishes!

I may not get back that way again,so would rather have a interesting meal in some new place (even if it turns out poorly)
i do the same in my general area as well, try out new places just for fun even if it might appear not interesting,
Granted I've had some really terrible meals that way..but some true surprises as well.

its just part of the adventure locally or internationally..

[knighta]

But Jumper - the McDonald's in Nikolaev at least has a Western toilet!
 

Does Ukraine still have a lot of these type of toilets? 

[JayH]

I agree with Jumpers comments about Nikolaev.  I can recommend hotels if that is of interest to you.
McD's is central and known landmark to everyone!!  Definate up to international standards-- as I have found all McD's in Ukr.
There is a nice restaurant that the name escapes me--next to McD's is a park--across the road is a restaurant that is set back from street-- entrance awning that you walk under(it may be on the corner-- uphill from McD,s diagonally)  good mix of food and also do simple coffee etc.Not expensive-- but I have been there on different visits and everyone seems happy with choice!!
Also-- on matching corner to McD.s is hip place to go at all hours.

[LAman]

What about the famous Nikolaev Zoo? I thought it was pretty interesting.
 I was told it is best zoo in Ukraine!!
Hey Jumper....I have some pics that are similar to yours....brought back some memories....

[Anotherkiwi]

Does Ukraine still have a lot of these type of toilets?

Don't know about Ukraine, but southern Russia (e.g. Sochi Railway Station) has more than its fair share! 

[Shadow]

Somehow your question went over my head.  Please clarify.

Some years ago one of the scam rings used the profile of a woman from Nikolaev who claimed to work as a nurse. It was the usual 'ticket/visa' scam and ended with her being unable to arrive due to a car accident, trying to get extra money for treatments.
Fiction and life often run parallel. 

[Daveman]

Does Ukraine still have a lot of these type of toilets?

Yep...


Also, there are many which are nothing more than a hole in the floor.  Seriously.  No toilet - just a hole.  Some also resemble trees, bushes, etc.. whatever they can find.   

[calmissile]

What about the famous Nikolaev Zoo? I thought it was pretty interesting.
 I was told it is best zoo in Ukraine!!
Hey Jumper....I have some pics that are similar to yours....brought back some memories....

Thanks for the reminder about the zoo.  I had forgotten about it but the doctor/cop on the train told me to be sure and see it.  I went to the zoo today.  Very nice zoo.