Poltava Ukraine trip

[bigdog]

First of all, many thanks to previous posters and this site for making a lot of my trip possible in the first place.
  I just got back from my second trip to Poltava. I had the best time of my life. I have been writing my g.f. ( I'll call her V. ) since last May and took my first trip in October. The second trip began as a promise at the end of my first trip. I don't think V. fully trusted me as she said that she would not take me serious until my second visit. I guess that I can't blame her for feeling this way as she must give up all to come to my country. 6 months of letters and phone conversations later I left for Ukraine. I'll tell you it is different and you really can't know what I mean till you step off the plane in Kiev and know that you are really on your own. This time however V. did agree to meet me in Kiev and things were much easier as far as getting to Poltava. (Poltava is a good 3-4 hours by taxi or bus) The first time I had a taxi arranged for me to get picked up at Borispol and feared for my life more times than I want to tell you on my way to and from Poltava.
I could swear my feet were hitting the front bumper trying to stop the dang thing Anyway back to my trip I got through customs and had a big smile when I saw both bags of luggage in the bin. I hate bringing so much but I like to bring gifts for all her family and as much food as possible. Just a note if you pack the summer sausage rolls, jerky, sardines, and trail mix it really comes in handy once there. I picked up my 2 big bags, carry-on and laptop bag and off I went through the gauntlet of taxi drivers at Borispol. I found my lady waiting for me as promised and off we went to Kiev. We caught a small bus which is a great savings over the taxi and went to the train station to get tickets for Poltava. It was so good to see her after 6 months. The time in between trips is tough!
Hey it's getting late and I will continue this tomarrow !!!

[Kuna]

 

Love TR's...

bigdog...  very much looking forward to reading of your experiences.  Some photos (even with no people in them) would be much appreciated too!

[bigdog]

Ok Kuna here are some pics of Kiev and Poltava

[Mishenka]

Great TR so far, Lucky man!

"I don't think V. fully trusted me as she said that she would not take me serious until my second visit"

All very Key words here. She expressed herself openly, not so typical in my personal experience with them. Many FSU women expect you to figure this out on your own. As far as them fully trusting you,or "us men" this takes years, especially if there are any broken promises along the way. I learned never to make a promise unless you have complete contol over a situation and can make it happen, don't talk about making plans, just do it.

Mishenka

[bigdog]

Sorry I'm having a little trouble getting my pics to post, but I'll continue the report.....
 We were on our way to Kiev the weather was great (it did not so much as rain one day while on my trip). I still marvel at how well UW take care of themselves. We are going towards the train station and I haven't slept in about a day and a half but I felt fine. We got to the train station,bought our tickets for Poltava and I checked my luggage in both some lockers and for the bigger suitcases there was a secured room. Free of the luggage and feeling a little hungry we walked along the street and found a little restaurant. The food was great and at a good price also. We went on from there to see a couple museums and I had V.'s picture drawn by a artist by one of the monument areas there. V. absolutely loved getting her picture drawn and I must say it came out beautiful.( later I made 3 copies at the request of her father, her and her son). V. wanted to pick the artist though as she said that several were "drunken on vodka" and would not be a good choice!!! We tooled around town a little more and I sucked down a high strength coffee as I was getting a little tired. We headed for the train station and we got the luggage and then it was time to board the train. This was my first Ukrainian train adventure. We had the compartment to ourselves and we were on our way to Poltava. The cabin was ok I wouldn't say luxurious or anything but I just couldn't sleep. We talked much and after about 5 hours we arrived in Poltava. V.'s father met us there in Poltava and we slept the night at her parents flat till the next day. I had arranged for a apartment and V. had already inspected and ok'd it before hand. I had used the same folks for accommodations for my first trip with no problems. Her father took us to the apartment (her family is just outstanding and helped much during my stay) and we inspected and settled in. It had a full kitchen, internet (thank god!) and just as advertised. Over the next several days we just walked around town- the woman loves to walk. I would say we walked at least 5 hours a day. It was good though because we talked much and the sights are just great. I love this woman dearly but you would not be male to notice just how beautiful the women truly are there. I had some glasses made with V. doing the translating and it took approx. 3 days to get them back. For anyone needing glasses they cost me about $50 and had a big selection of frames there in in the shop. Great Value.
To be continued..........

[SANDRO43]

Sorry I'm having a little trouble getting my pics to post,

Apparently . BigDog, when you write a post you'll see + Additional Options... at bottom left. Click that and it'll expand to show Attach: with a Choose option that'll allow you to point to a file - one at a time - on your PC disk .

[bigdog]

This is the monument in Kiev near where V. got her portrait

[bigdog]

Pics of the Park at the center of town. The stairway going down in the photo is to a underground shopping area which has just about anything you could want. The streets near the center are full of nice shops, coffee cafes and there is a cinema there to. I used the ATMs there with no problems. The building with the pillars is a theatre but it was closed during both my visits.

[bigdog]

The big ugly guy with the camera is me

[bigdog]

Some of the local church and a monastary. Both are quite beautiful and worth the visit.

[bigdog]

Some of the places we ate at were very good. If you are in Poltava stop in “Burger Club” for a really good burger and fries if you are looking for a taste of home. The underground shopping area has a restaurant and is very good also.  We had espresso several times at I believe it was “Blauser Café” there again near the city center. Not to impressed with the pizza we had during my stay (only once). There were several bread and pastry shops and all were very good. If you get on the side of town near the bus terminal, There is a shopping mall and several large stores. Inside the mall there are several restaurants and a couple are very reasonable. We had a good time just preparing our own meals at the apartment. I used to hate to cook when I was younger, but 2 daughters and many meals later I have grown to enjoy cooking. “V” was impressed that I could cook and we cooked dinner for her entire family. Everyone was very pleased and I got big points with her family! Something that I brought with me also is a pitcher size water filter. It does not really weigh much in your luggage, is really convenient and will save trips to store and best of all save you a little cash.
 While there I purchased a laptop for V. It was a large expense, but it has helped in our communication so much it was well worth the money. I also purchased a router and we had her internet installed. I wanted to make things as easy as I could for her to talk with me on skype, emails ect…

[JR]

KEWL BG, glad things are going so well!

[bigdog]

Thanks, It's been a tough couple of years for me, and I'm just glad to have met a woman has integrity and good looks.

[ECOCKS]

One good thing about TR's, they broaden your horizons.

My wife is from Poltava Oblast so next time we are going through there on the way to her hometown, we'll stop in for a Burger Club taste-test!

Thanks for the tip!

Ed

[jdk1963]

I had some glasses made with V. doing the translating and it took approx. 3 days to get them back. For anyone needing glasses they cost me about $50 and had a big selection of frames there in in the shop. Great Value.

Prescription glasses?  What information did you need to provide them?  If they were prescription were there any translation issues with your prescription?  I am assuming you brought the prescription of course.

[kievstar]

Hi JD,

I have had eye exams in Ukraine just like in USA.  Exam was free if I bought eye glasses or enough contacts. 

I have found eye glasses can be more or less expensive.  Really depends on what your buying.

[bigdog]

By prescription I mean they tested me for the glasses there. The glasses were ready in about 3 days with V. there to translate for me.

[ECOCKS]

Speaking with regard to Kyiv.

My wife's basic glasses are cheap and contacts are much cheaper (than here) but when I tried to get a set for myself the cost went through the roof. I have a stigmatism which affects one-quarter of my right eye so it isn't a simple presecription. When they looked at my glasses they just began shaking their heads. Apparently they would have had to send it off grinding which happens even at some places in the US. I also wondered if the realization that I was an American had anything to do with the pricing.

In fairness, I only checked one place and that was about 3 years ago. The frame selection was pretty good and the usual appointment BS was in effect (20 hryvnia magically made an appointment come clear). I had my wife pickup an extra set of glasses and over the weekend told her to get a prescription set of sunglasses as well as plenty of contacts.

[START2]

Hope ya,ll don't mind if I join in on this one. Last summer we spent several days in Poltava mainly because I had set several days aside to see a dentist. I've heard some of the horror stories about dental work in Ukr but I went to the one my wife sees every year when we go back. Had alot of work done and price was under a thousand. Here, estimate 5-6 k. Anyway, dentist was excellent and I enjoyed Poltava side trips. We'll be back in a few weeks and will see dentist again for cleaning etc.
  Poltava was an ok city. Some family there and an available flat if we need it. We just always drove back after the day trip. Lived about 1.5 hours from there. Actually in Sumy region. Wife spent first year of college there before going to Kharkiv and Russia and finishing masters in Kiev. Yes, it's a college town and has a river that the beaches are packed in summer.
  There's also lots of shopping and it seems to be a pleasant town.
  We also ate at the Burger Club and I was surprised how good the burgers were. Poltava also had Groov's favorite pizza place. Celantros(celantino's) (SP). Help me out Grooov.
  Town is easy to drive in. last year was the first time I had rented a car and will continue to do so. Might even buy something this year.
   When I saw this thread it made me start getting anxious for our return. This year will be 3 weeks and we have family and friends going. 29 days and counting.
   i'd like to shuttle everyone down to the sea for a few days.(krim) Anyone have any suggestions other than hotels to stay? Even a villa near Alushta would be ok.
  Oh yeah, almost forgot. I also had eyes checked there. They didn't have what I wanted but I did give them an older pair and the tinted them for me. Dark brown. made a great pair of sunglasses that I still use and less than $15 I think. My prescrition is a bit odd and I recall they would have been made and shipped from Poland so I passed. Maybe this year I'll go ahead and order a pair. Definately less expensive.
   Thanks for sharing Bd
   

[jdk1963]

Hi JD,

I have had eye exams in Ukraine just like in USA.  Exam was free if I bought eye glasses or enough contacts. 

I have found eye glasses can be more or less expensive.  Really depends on what your buying.

Thanks, I need bifocals and I tend to be a bit rough so I try to get the best lens I can afford.  I am looking at $300+ here and that is to keep my same frames.  It is a long way to go for a pair of glasses!

[groovlstk]

  We also ate at the Burger Club and I was surprised how good the burgers were. Poltava also had Groov's favorite pizza place. Celantros(celantino's) (SP). Help me out Grooov.

Celentano's, I believe  Only place in the world where they put corn on pizza!

[Daveman]

Celentano's, I believe  Only place in the world where they put corn on pizza!

LoL, WTF? you're joking, right?

[jdk1963]

Celentano's, I believe  Only place in the world where they put corn on pizza!

That is just wrong!    almost as bad as a tofu hot dog.

[Mars]

I ate a small pizza there (Celentano's) last week and it was pretty awful.  The crust had no taste at all, sort of like eating cardboard.  They did, however, have a great blini for dessert.  It had cherry flavor inside with chocolate and vanilla drippings on the top.  Folded over 4 ways into a sort of square.

[groovlstk]

LoL, WTF? you're joking, right?

I wish I was - I also saw someone order a slice with mayo on top But I like Celentano's, they always have 50s American rock and blues playing in the background. The pizza is pretty awful, but then again I think any pizza I've ever had outside of NYC or Chicago was awful