My first ever trip to the Ukraine. Fortunately there was a direct flight with a company (I guess they are Ukrainian) called Aerosvit. The flight was smooth and landed more or less on time.

Ukraine has been mounting a big tourism campaign in the UK recently, with the campaign line “Ukraine- all about U”.

Unfortunately no one has told their immigration service that it’s all about us. The passport control had only one lane for foreigners and I waited 90 minutes before an unsmiling border guard let me through.

A car was waiting for me and the driver gunned his engine down the freeway, taking a about 45 minutes from the airport. On route I was impressed by a spectacular bridge which spans the river which flows through the capital.

Instead of going to the hotel I was taken straight to a restaurant where two local colleagues were waiting. As I was much later than expected, owing to my unsmiling chums in immigration, they had had starters rather than starve, so I ordered a main course and we chatted. Later one of them took me back to the hotel.

I must say I was disappointed with the InterContinental in Kiev. It’s a typical chain hotel, but one thing that surprised me when the reservation was sent is that they bundle other things into the room rate. Hence my rate was 255 Euros a night but this was to include breakfast, WiFi and allegedly a free minibar. I was intrigued as to the how a free mini bar would work, but should have known better. Basically what they do is provide just a couple of bottles of beer and a couple of soft drinks, and that’s it.

Anyway I was tired and had a long day’s presenting so had an early night. Breakfast next day was rather poor and again poor value. Anyway my car was on time and we drove for about 45 minutes out of the city to the company offices. I set up my laptop for the session and we had an excellent day with the management team.

The day successfully completed, I went outside to the cab which was booked for me and got in the back.

We set off and I realized that the seat belts in the back did not work, so I managed somehow to communicate to the driver that I wanted to stop, and got into the front so I could buckle up. The driver seemed to resent this as a slur on his driving ability, ad immediately proceeded to turn on his music loud. I don’t really like disco and hip-hop in English, and I have to say the Ukrainian version does not improve matters. After an hour or so of crazy driving (so glad I buckled up) I arrived back at the hotel with an evening to myself.

I changed some money and went out for a wander.
My first port of call was a square just down from the hotel which has a church and what I understand was some sort of monastery. It was a riot of Orthodox ecclesiastical architecture, with cupolas galore, and beautifully painted- quite stunning in the sunshine.

Heading off towards the restaurant I had researched I looked out for a bar where maybe I could have a drink first. Just 100 metres after the hotel I found it- one of Kiev’s “Irish” bars. I descended down the stairs and went in. The staff spoke some English and I ordered a local beer. They had TVs all round the room but there was nothing of interest to watch. Back up to street level and off to the restaurant. I had researched this place from the web and was keen to go as it was described as being reminiscent of the Soviet era which lots of photos and memorabilia. It absolutely lived up to its billing.

The place itself was a rabbit warren of different rooms, each full of photos and artifacts from Soviet times. It was fascinating just to sit there. The menu wasn’t cheap but wasn’t exorbitant and I ordered a hearty meal. Overall it was a great experience only marred by the fact that the restaurant had in house musicians who played deafening folk music to anyone who would encourage them. They must have sensed my hostility and stayed well away.

Back to the hotel and another early night, encouraged by the fact that the hotel’s TV system was down so there was nothing to watch in the hotel

The next day was Good Friday, a public holiday in Greece though not in Ukraine. My car for the airport was due at 10.15. I wasn’t hugely thrilled when my doorbell rang at 7.45. I trudged over to the door to discover a chambermaid who was very put out by my selfish desire to sleep, when my room was on her schedule for cleaning at that time. I got rid of her, but it was no use- no chance of going back to sleep so I got up. Breakfast again was poor, and having checked out I went for a walk. I was looking for a coffee somewhere but the only place that seemed to be open was the Irish pub, and I wasn’t going in there at 9am.

Back to the hotel and my driver attempted the world land speed record to the airport.

Back home at 5, and after a quick cup of tea my wife, son and I set off for central Athens to make the most of the rest of the holiday.

Despite the glitches I enjoyed Kiev and will enjoy going back.

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