Headed to Odessa Next Friday.

[IvanM07]

Pulled the trigger on an Airbnb and seats about a month ago. Just upgraded the seats since after flying domestic from IN -> FL for an interview and I remembered just how incredibly much I hate flying.

Ordered all Exit Row seats to and from US to UK, UK to Ukraine and back. $250 but well worth it IMO to not hate life the entire 8hr + 4hr trip. Luckily I bought all the Tickets with Miles, so after taxes and all I'm only paying about $400 total.

I'm meeting the woman I'd spoken of previously who was outside Odessa. We've probably seen each other on Skype close to 60 or so hours in the last 1.5-2 months or so. Hoping for a great time together:)

I've planned a few things I want to do with her like go to a VR Arcade, Gun Range, SkyDiving, Few historical markers (Vader, Steve jobs, potemkin stairs, Underground), IMAX (incredibles 2 opens there), Beach, Watching a football game, Couple nice places to eat, stuff like that. I also had my eye on renting a C63 AMG. I've driven a C65 once here in the US when a buddy and I traded cars at a track day and it was pretty fun, they're also really not too badly priced at only $100/day so it'd be nice to go on a trip to somewhere nearby.

Pretty much have everything ready to go for Friday, Power Plugs, All CC/Debit Card companies aware I'll be over there, Vodafone Simcard OTW, Laptops with chargers so I can "work" remotely, Travel Documents, Insurance, Phones, Hot Sauce , Pilot Translation earbuds (she speaks perfect English so only chance to be used would likely be in the airport before we meet up), Light Jacket, laptop and phone battery packs, gift, anything else you can think of?

[LAman]

Anything else?......

Your brain??? ))


If you want romantic place for dinner or even beach/dinner. Riviera Beach Club. Get a table at end of terrace (extending into water). At sunset very impressive.

http://rivierabeach.com.ua/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

[Nightwish]

Pulled the trigger on an Airbnb and seats about a month ago. Just upgraded the seats since after flying domestic from IN -> FL for an interview and I remembered just how incredibly much I hate flying.

Ordered all Exit Row seats to and from US to UK, UK to Ukraine and back. $250 but well worth it IMO to not hate life the entire 8hr + 4hr trip. Luckily I bought all the Tickets with Miles, so after taxes and all I'm only paying about $400 total.

I'm meeting the woman I'd spoken of previously who was outside Odessa. We've probably seen each other on Skype close to 60 or so hours in the last 1.5-2 months or so. Hoping for a great time together:)

I've planned a few things I want to do with her like go to a VR Arcade, Gun Range, SkyDiving, Few historical markers (Vader, Steve jobs, potemkin stairs, Underground), IMAX (incredibles 2 opens there), Beach, Watching a football game, Couple nice places to eat, stuff like that. I also had my eye on renting a C63 AMG. I've driven a C65 once here in the US when a buddy and I traded cars at a track day and it was pretty fun, they're also really not too badly priced at only $100/day so it'd be nice to go on a trip to somewhere nearby.

Pretty much have everything ready to go for Friday, Power Plugs, All CC/Debit Card companies aware I'll be over there, Vodafone Simcard OTW, Laptops with chargers so I can "work" remotely, Travel Documents, Insurance, Phones, Hot Sauce , Pilot Translation earbuds (she speaks perfect English so only chance to be used would likely be in the airport before we meet up), Light Jacket, laptop and phone battery packs, gift, anything else you can think of?

Driving in Ukraine?  not so much the bad traffic as the roads are.. more holes then roads. And don't think you will stand out with an AMG, Odessa is home to a lot of very nice and expensive cars. As well a  immeasurable amount of old Ladas

Also, the movie will be dubbed to Russian, almost no cinemas have subtitles, at least not in Kyiv, we had to look through cinemas many to find one, and they had English subtitles on a dubbed Ironman movie  But at least I could understand what was said and follow the plot, or it's two very long hours you are in for if you don't understand Russian.

You're coming there the day I leave, on my way there today and staying a week.

[Hammer2722]

Driving in Ukraine?  not so much the bad traffic as the roads are.. more holes then roads. And don't think you will stand out with an AMG, Odessa is home to a lot of very nice and expensive cars. As well a  immeasurable amount of old Ladas

Also, the movie will be dubbed to Russian, almost no cinemas have subtitles, at least not in Kyiv, we had to look through cinemas many to find one, and they had English subtitles on a dubbed Ironman movie  But at least I could understand what was said and follow the plot, or it's two very long hours you are in for if you don't understand Russian.

You're coming there the day I leave, on my way there today and staying a week.

Each time I've been to the cinemas in Ukraine, the movies have been dubbed in Ukrainian and subtitled in Russian. If its an English movie, you can sometimes hear them speaking English even with the dubbing.

Otrada Beach is a nice semi-private beach (you have to pay to get on). I highly recommend this for you and your lady friend. Its not too expensive and you will get access, a beach chair and umbrella for the price of admission.

As for driving in Ukraine....your a braver man than I.......

[IvanM07]

Anything else?......

Your brain??? ))

Haha, luckily that equipment is bolted on to me, otherwise I'd likely forget it.

Driving in Ukraine?  not so much the bad traffic as the roads are.. more holes then roads. And don't think you will stand out with an AMG, Odessa is home to a lot of very nice and expensive cars. As well a  immeasurable amount of old Ladas
....

You're coming there the day I leave, on my way there today and staying a week.

Haha well, they didn't have a Hellcat or SRT Jeep and bringing mine over was too expensive so this was the sportiest I could find as for potholes, that's what rental and CC insurance is for, right?

Each time I've been to the cinemas in Ukraine, the movies have been dubbed in Ukrainian and subtitled in Russian. If its an English movie, you can sometimes hear them speaking English even with the dubbing.

Otrada Beach is a nice semi-private beach (you have to pay to get on). I highly recommend this for you and your lady friend. Its not too expensive and you will get access, a beach chair and umbrella for the price of admission.

As for driving in Ukraine....your a braver man than I.......

Hey Hammer, glad to get your input

Hadn't thought about the no English subtitles. Guess I'll get to use these translating earbuds a lot more than I'd thought if that's the case, lol.

Otrada sounds nice I'll check into that, what was that Mexican and Uzbeki place you were telling me to check out?

[krimster2]

haha

couple of yr ago a friend of mine rents a sports coup in Odessa
these unfortunately are a magnet for the cops
who like to put a "boot" on the wheel wherever you park
and charge $50 to take it off

friend goes into store
comes out boot on tire but no cop
opens trunk whips out tools
takes off tire
puts on spare
put old tire with boot in trunk
whole thing 5 min tops
he's in the car
flips on the ignition
just as the cop comes around the corner
in his Lada
fiend flips him off and punches the accelerator
cop was like...


 

[Nightwish]

Each time I've been to the cinemas in Ukraine, the movies have been dubbed in Ukrainian and subtitled in Russian. If its an English movie, you can sometimes hear them speaking English even with the dubbing.

Otrada Beach is a nice semi-private beach (you have to pay to get on). I highly recommend this for you and your lady friend. Its not too expensive and you will get access, a beach chair and umbrella for the price of admission.

As for driving in Ukraine....your a braver man than I.......

I have been to the cinema in both Kyiv and Sumy and Chernigov during my years, and you might be rights it was Ukrainian, I could never have told the difference, yet never seen any with any subtitles in a second language except that once we found one that showed it with English subtitles in Kyiv.
We checked every place at one time to find somewhere they sent it with spoken English and Ukr/Rus subs, NJET! We never do - was the answer from the attendants at all times.

So it was very fun, going to see the latest release there, understand NADA, go home and download it and watch again.. what you do for women.... 

[Hammer2722]

Haha, luckily that equipment is bolted on to me, otherwise I'd likely forget it.


Haha well, they didn't have a Hellcat or SRT Jeep and bringing mine over was too expensive so this was the sportiest I could find as for potholes, that's what rental and CC insurance is for, right?

Hey Hammer, glad to get your input

Hadn't thought about the no English subtitles. Guess I'll get to use these translating earbuds a lot more than I'd thought if that's the case, lol.

Otrada sounds nice I'll check into that, what was that Mexican and Uzbeki place you were telling me to check out?

Hey Ivan, the Mexican place is Estrellita's I believe its on or near Ekaterinaskaya in the city center. The Uzbeki place was a few blocks inland from Arkadia Beach.

[BdHvA]

Perhaps this will end well, I hope so. But I have a sense our hero is going to find him self shit on a stick.

In any event good luck and let us know if you return (missing any organs).

[Boethius]

Why?  He's young, she's young.  It's not like middle aged men going to meet twenty somethings.

[BillyB]

Hoping for a great time together:)

Have a good trip and stay positive but also be prepared to have a backup plan if things go south. Most people who took the step to meet in this endeavor do not end up getting married. Look at Kyn's recent report. He met 4 girls he thought were winners and concluded only one would be a good match for him and he's still a long ways away from tying the knot.

[Hammer2722]

Why?  He's young, she's young.  It's not like middle aged men going to meet twenty somethings.

I agree, after much offline discussion with Ivan, I think he is as prepared as a newbie can be. Well, besides the driving in Ukraine part. 

[gaspar227]

I would seriously caution you about Odessa, and Arcadia in particular.  See my posts on my Odessa girl.  .  But regardless I'm super curious about your car details.  Can you just shoot some pictures and overall impression about driving? 

I read in the paper when I was there (online paper) that there was a guy in Odessa backing into people and then expecting them to pay him as he claimed they ran into him.  This was caught on a dashboard camera...so I highly recommend setting up your phone like this at the least, or buying one if you rent an expensive car!

Good luck man!

[Nightwish]

well first a big hello from Odessa Ukraine, I rented a house outside the city and from the pictures it looked ok, not really fancy or luxurious, boy was I wrong.
We have a private pool, a small Jacuzzi, paved with Marble outside, a big courtyard and flowers, a million flowers.. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge kitchen, 200 m to a "private" beach, but the sea is not warm, not warm at all.. brrr.. and i pay less then $200 for the week   
the fun thing is that all the houses around here looks like they been abandoned for 50 years  (people live there though) , and this one is built only a couple of years ago, everything is new and everything works excellent.

a top tip, bring dollars here, everything I paid for, they asked for dollar or euro, and if I offer that, the price goes down.
Ok I have my very own personal "translator" and business woman who wont get skimmed for money in any way so that makes things easier, but her way of hassle the price I am amazed by.. and she saves us big bucks, I live like a king, for a peasants pay so to speak. Sometimes she just looks at me and give me that look, "don't say anything in English or the price goes up", so I am the just the strong silent type when she bargains

and I would not recommend anyone "new" to be driving here, after a couple of days now going to the city and back, the drivers here are insane and suicidal.  We use the local taxi, and just to give an example of price, to our house its 16.5 km from the city center, the rate is 140 hryvnia. takes almost an hour to get here one way.

So why rent a car? I could probably rent a taxi for the cash instead and have him as a personal driver for the $100, and he will drive you "anywhere".

What we noticed this far is that Odessa has a lot more immigrants from countries close by then the rest of the citys I been to, a lot of Georgians, Latvians(?)(at least the cars a registered there?) and then the normal meltpot of people from everywhere, heard English (Americans) on so many occasions now, almost funny how many of them are here, talking smiling walking around with their teenage daughters 

The weather hasn't been that great the last couple of days, but loks like it is improving in the coming days.

[Nightwish]

Haha, luckily that equipment is bolted on to me, otherwise I'd likely forget it.


Haha well, they didn't have a Hellcat or SRT Jeep and bringing mine over was too expensive so this was the sportiest I could find as for potholes, that's what rental and CC insurance is for, right?

Hey Hammer, glad to get your input

Hadn't thought about the no English subtitles. Guess I'll get to use these translating earbuds a lot more than I'd thought if that's the case, lol.

Otrada sounds nice I'll check into that, what was that Mexican and Uzbeki place you were telling me to check out?

oh and I could not avoid mentioning..
No those cars are not common here, Ukrainians have good taste in cars and prefers a well built sport/luxurious car, like Mercedes, BMW or AUDI..   

but I can honestly say I never seen so many Lexus as here, do they sell "normal" Toyotas with Lexus badge here?

[IvanM07]

well first a big hello from Odessa Ukraine, I rented a house outside the city and from the pictures it looked ok, not really fancy or luxurious, boy was I wrong.
We have a private pool, a small Jacuzzi, paved with Marble outside, a big courtyard and flowers, a million flowers.. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge kitchen, 200 m to a "private" beach, but the sea is not warm, not warm at all.. brrr.. and i pay less then $200 for the week   
the fun thing is that all the houses around here looks like they been abandoned for 50 years  (people live there though) , and this one is built only a couple of years ago, everything is new and everything works excellent.

Nice, I think I ended up around $900 for 10 days but it's right next to Arcadia, 2br, Jacuzzi, nice amenities. I'll take pics when I get there. How far outside of the city if you don't mind me asking? Might have to look into that next time.

A top tip, bring dollars here, everything I paid for, they asked for dollar or euro, and if I offer that, the price goes down.
Ok I have my very own personal "translator" and business woman who wont get skimmed for money in any way so that makes things easier, but her way of hassle the price I am amazed by.. and she saves us big bucks, I live like a king, for a peasants pay so to speak. Sometimes she just looks at me and give me that look, "don't say anything in English or the price goes up", so I am the just the strong silent type when she bargains

Probably going to adapt this strategy as well and be the tall quiet guy. How much cash did you bring in? I was thinking of stopping by an ATM before leaving the states.

and I would not recommend anyone "new" to be driving here, after a couple of days now going to the city and back, the drivers here are insane and suicidal.  We use the local taxi, and just to give an example of price, to our house its 16.5 km from the city center, the rate is 140 hryvnia. takes almost an hour to get here one way.

So why rent a car? I could probably rent a taxi for the cash instead and have him as a personal driver for the $100, and he will drive you "anywhere".

What we noticed this far is that Odessa has a lot more immigrants from countries close by then the rest of the citys I been to, a lot of Georgians, Latvians(?)(at least the cars a registered there?) and then the normal meltpot of people from everywhere, heard English (Americans) on so many occasions now, almost funny how many of them are here, talking smiling walking around with their teenage daughters 

The weather hasn't been that great the last couple of days, but loks like it is improving in the coming days.

I'm trying to get her to OK the car, but she also doesn't like the idea of a fast car in Odessa and thinks I'll die if I go skydiving lol. We'll see if it happens or not, drivers that are insane and suicidal sounds similar to drivers in Budapest and Bucharest when I was younger, sounds like a fun time

What's the temp been like there? I was thinking of bringing a light jacket, if for no other reason than the internal zipper pockets for my wallet and phone.

No those cars are not common here, Ukrainians have good taste in cars and prefers a well built sport/luxurious car, like Mercedes, BMW or AUDI..   

That's true, I wouldn't anticipate many in Europe could handle a 700 or modified like mine 800whp/900whp on 93/e85 Sedan

Probably best to stick to the 400hp grocery getters 

[tfcrew]

Headed to Odessa Next Friday.
                Enjoy

[Anotherkiwi]

Otrada Beach is a nice semi-private beach (you have to pay to get on). I highly recommend this for you and your lady friend. Its not too expensive and you will get access, a beach chair and umbrella for the price of admission.

How long has this been in force, Hammer?  I certainly didn't have to pay when I was there in 2010, although I was only walking around, not laying out in the sun while preparing to go swimming.

And anyone going to Otrada HAS to take the cable car to or from the beach to the teminal on top of the hill!  Awesome views - just try not to look straight down. 

[JayH]

This clips give a good idea of Odesa . What needs to be noted is that Odesa covers quite a large area -- along the coast in both directions.





This has a wider view of the city -


I had to add this one  -- a few members here will recognise my favourite Odesa apartment -- which overlooks the stairs -it actually features in all these clips but repeatedly in in this one.

This guy makes some relevant points !

[LAman]

How long has this been in force, Hammer?  I certainly didn't have to pay when I was there in 2010, although I was only walking around, not laying out in the sun while preparing to go swimming.

 

I don't remember any pay to enter beaches at Otrada Beach, there might be but i never saw one. You do have to pay to use a lounge chair at any beach which have them( or pay for canopy). Pay to enter are at any beach clubs, which i have been in Arkadia and further down at 12th Fontana.

[IvanM07]

Well here I am in Kiev! Finally.

My flight went something like this 3.30am wake up, board first flight at 5am from Fort Wayne to Philly (btw Philadelphia airport? Worst ever) then to LaGuardia, uber to JFK. JFK to London, London to Kiev and Kiev to Odessa.

Looking back I shoulda just paid the $850 instead of paying in miles haha. 13hrs of layovers is not worth it.

First impressions of Kiev?

The Airport doesn't have much as far as amenities but wow prices are cheap. I have a 5 hour layover so I decided to have a "drink". Jiminy they're trying to turn me into a drunk!

I asked for a double shot of whiskey and a coke with dumplings and water. I dont normally drink, but with 5 hours to kill. Why not?

This "double" was a whole tumbler full! Generous indeed for 100ml lol.

Altogether $13. I found out I stuck out like a sore thumb too. Everyone was immediately asking if I wanted "priority taxi" for "only" $75.

The woman I'm meeting is taking a bus from 6-7hrs away for $9 so I know they see me coming from a mile away. Maybe next time I shouldn't wear an "Infidel" shirt with a US patch on the shoulder from Grunt Style?

Oh well, the mean looks in the UK and smiles and grins in Ukraine were worth it.

Either way even with 30+hrs no sleep in a bed I'm having a good time.

[Nightwish]

Nice, I think I ended up around $900 for 10 days but it's right next to Arcadia, 2br, Jacuzzi, nice amenities. I'll take pics when I get there. How far outside of the city if you don't mind me asking? Might have to look into that next time.

This place did not advertise on airbnb, found through a friend of a friend of a friend to my girl, same standard on airbnb would have been $2000 for a week, if that's even enough. 
Our plan was to get out of the city and really find a nice and quiet place, we more then succeeded.
This is located in the lower Kyivs'kyi District, almost in Chornomorsk. So this is what the locals here call a village.

Probably going to adapt this strategy as well and be the tall quiet guy. How much cash did you bring in? I was thinking of stopping by an ATM before leaving the states.

I always have $500 tucked away when I come to Ukraine in smaller bills, sometimes you can get almost half the price by offering dollars. Everything is an negotiation :p

I'm trying to get her to OK the car, but she also doesn't like the idea of a fast car in Odessa and thinks I'll die if I go skydiving lol. We'll see if it happens or not, drivers that are insane and suicidal sounds similar to drivers in Budapest and Bucharest when I was younger, sounds like a fun time

What's the temp been like there? I was thinking of bringing a light jacket, if for no other reason than the internal zipper pockets for my wallet and phone.

I realize this answer comes to late, but it has been quite warm in the daytime 23-30C, at night the temp drops quite a lot, so a light jacket is a good idea.

That's true, I wouldn't anticipate many in Europe could handle a 700 or modified like mine 800whp/900whp on 93/e85 Sedan

Probably best to stick to the 400hp grocery getters 

touché

[msmob]

That's true, I wouldn't anticipate many in Europe could handle a 700 or modified like mine 800whp/900whp on 93/e85 Sedan

Probably best to stick to the 400hp grocery getters 

Never even HEARD of one ...   being in the UK and RHD we don't get many N.American models and the Brits are VERY snooty about US cars .... thinking they are only any good in a straight line

[Nightwish]

Never even HEARD of one ...   being in the UK and RHD we don't get many N.American models and the Brits are VERY snooty about US cars .... thinking they are only any good in a straight line

They are, but not to step to hard on his toes I kept this as a secret..

[IvanM07]

Lol, you'll never hear me say a hellcat or SRT Jeep is a twisty machine.

But here In the US straight lines are what we mostly have.

But you may wanna tell BMW, Acura, Audi, and Ferrari about that and ask why they license Chevy's MagneRide suspension tech from them if they're only good in a straight line

Although Chevy may be a bad example since their executive toolbag just ran a ZR1 into a concrete wall lol.