Capital : Kiev

Kiev, capital of the the Ukraine.Where 50% of the people speak Russian and the other 50% speak Ukrainian.Zhenya ,my friend from Kharkov had arranged for me to stay with a friend of hers.( I'm terrible.I forgot her name and I lost her contact as well because her name and email went missing after my notebook and bag was stolen in Malaysia after my trip to the Ukraine ).Let's call her A.A works for a french company and leads an active life ice skating and horse back riding.Her sister is a really attractive model.A is another Ukrainian who lived life to the fullest and is always busy experiencing the best things in life.

It was nice to finally be in a home again,,wash and get some clean clothes.The Chernobyl museum ,Lavra monastry ,Famine museum were some of the highlights including the many churches in the city.The museums here are amazing.They moved me to tears.The pain and tortured suffered by the Ukrainians.

I was shopping around for books on Tymoshenko in english.But apparently the bookshops in Kiev did not stock up on books on Tymoshenko in english.It was a good thing that i didn't buy any books anyway.The weight of my backpack was killing me.

Unfortunately for me, on my 2nd last day in Ukraine, and Kiev, I received some really bad news that I had to return back to Singapore to get my next visa to Russia done,instead of getting it done in Istanbul, my next stop.

Kiev is an amazing city and the people I met here are similarly really cool.It was a great way to sum up my trip in the Ukraine.Insane ,exhausting and totally enriching.And I only have fantastic stories to tell the world and and inspire the people around me to head to the Ukraine for that interesting experience.

West Ukraine :Lvov

1 day in Lvov and it was raining the whole day.I was stuck at Macdonalds with a guidebook and a camera.I've been told of a cool bar in Lvov where you can enter if you know the password and you'll have an amazing experience inside.But in the rain , it was difficult to locate anything.

Running from shelter to shelter,cold and tired,looking for internet cafes and bookstores.The day trip to Lvov turned out to be a sad one.Filled with plenty of food to drown my sorrows.Thanks to the rain.

The roads were a little more difficult to navigate around in because unlike most cities in Russia and Ukraine, the roads were curvy and you can get easily lost wandering around.But you spring into the more interesting sights when you lose your bearings.

I was determined to see the castle at the top of the hill , in a bid to save my trip to Lvov.It turned out that this замок was a little building where weddings were held.Or perhaps I didn't hike up enough to see the actual castle.

I wish i can return to this city on a sunny day and hopefully reverse this sad experience into a cheerful optimistic one.

On the bright side, i bought my favourite souvenir here.A Ukrainian doll!Which comes with a small bag with wheat at the side and some свiточ chocolates.In the times of the USSR,свiточ  chocolates were considered premium quality.It is still based in Lvov but has been acquired by Nestle (What hasn't? ).

Carpathians : Kolomyya

I loved Kolomyya! My favourite day trip in my 12 day trip around the Ukraine.

Waking up at 7am in the morning, i tipped toed out of the room trying not to wake Romain ( the other couchsurfing guest up).I headed to the bus station to catch the first bus to Kolomyya.

It was Sunday.And sunday in Kolomyya means....Sunday market!Everyone brings their 2nd hand goods to the market and hope to sell something.So you get to see all sorts of knick knacks.From 2nd hand clothes,shoes,radios and all sorts of screws and rusty things.Even tombstones!The market was outdoors and people just found a spot on the pavement and started displaying their wares.

I was looking at some soviet pins.And the owner of the table got curious about me.Surprised to find out that I am from Singapore, he announced I was here.The old man he was serving before that, stood there and watch me in curosity.People cycling by,stopped and watched me.
The owner started asking me tons of questions and said that it was a pity that i was staying for so short a time.He would have loved to bring me to see his dacha in the countryside where everything is more beautiful,especially in summer.(perhaps not a very good idea for a girl to follow a 50+year old man to his dacha, but it's the thought that counts isn't it?)

One of the key atttractions in Kolomyya is the Ukrainian Egg Museum( Pysanky Museum )!You find these eggs being sold all over russia but ukrainians claim that it originated from the Ukrainian and they have their very unique style of painting them too.

The Museum of Hutsul Folk Art was interesting as well.Descriptions next to the museum showpieces were in ukrainian and english.(no russian translation)

The one thing i really miss from Kolomyya and some of the cities in Russia was the Pampushky (Doughnuts) especially those with savoury fillings.You can find them sold by old grannies walking around the market.So fresh , so light.It makes american sweet doughnuts taste artificial with heaps of sugar.

I guess I just love savoury doughnuts more!

Central Ukraine : Kamyanet Polidsky

After tea with Luba, I set off to visit Kamyanet Polidsky.A 2hour bus ride away.Known to have a breathetaking castle there.The castle didn't wow me over.But the museum in the castle did.Dimmed with red lights.The ukrainians sure know how to make museums dramatic and interesting.The city wasn't very interesting but it definately looks like it has the qualities to stage a medival sword fighting.And indeed in October,the Terra Heroika Festival is held here.

See link : http://www.ukraine.com/videos/terra+heroika+08+preparations+for+a+military+parade+01/343291/

Carpathians : Chernitvsi

Chernitvsi surprised me.I never expected a Ukrainian city to look so european.The streets were cobbled and the buildings were victorian styled.

I was staying with a host I met over couchsurfing,Luba.After getting changed,I was happy to finally be somewhere homely and meeting people again!Her passion for photography was evident.She was more comfortable speaking in Russian and we had a pleasent conversation about our lifes.There are not many couchsurfing hosts in Chernitvsi and Luba was really kind to let couchsurfers stay with her.

That night, i met another couchsurfer at her place.
wait a minute...i saw this guy running for the bus half an hour ago in the city in the middle of the night!He got onto the bus to Luba's place.I didn't run fast enough , so i had to wait 20minutes for the next bus.He is from France and did an internship in Romania.

Chernitvsi is a city you can check out in just one day.But it is a great place to start from to check out other interesting cities nearby.Like Kolomyya and Kamyanet Polidsky.

I swear that I didn't see a single asian person here.Perhaps asians only study in the russian speaking cities in the Ukraine.

Carpathians :the train ride to Chernitvsi

The train ride
People generally are very curious about foreigners but they always respect each other's personal space.I had never had my personal space invaded into on trains before and this maiden experience toughen me up.

Getting onto the train from Odessa bound for Chernitvsi , it was about 3pm in the afternoon.Drowsy and exhausted , i was busy typing my thoughts into my laptop and dozing off.

There was a man in his early 30ties sleeping in the bunk across from mine.A girl in her 20ties sleeping on the bunk on top of his.Nobody spoke and there was silence between us.Everyone else in the wagon was going about their own business.Knitting,talking to random strangers about their life and so on.I was just another tongue tied "Vietnamese" student to them.

Perhaps I slept too much.But i jolted up at 1am in the morning , I had felt a finger poking me at a not so appropriate area.But when i looked around, there was no hand or anyone in sight.I went back to sleep.A few moments later , it happened again.I jolted up .Что??? The wagon was pitch dark and everyone was sleeping.Except for that hand that disappeared.It wasn't funny to have random things touching you in the middle of the night on the train.

I flipped ,lying on my side , this time, the finger came from the back.I pushed it away quickly.Realizing that he was caught, the man leaned over and whispered ,"Are you sleeping? Oh i'm sorry.i didn't know that you were sleeping."A few minutes later,he leaned over again and said loudly," I wanted to warn you to sleep the other way, you will catch a cold if your head is next to the window".I told him that it is ok.I want to sleep with my head next to the window.A rotten cover up for him.But I think he passed out on his bed and went to sleep.I was not harressed anymore that night.

Thank goodness I knew enough russian to understand what he was saying or I would have totally freaked out.

A friendly sailor sleeping a few bunks away came by in the morning and started talking to me.He knew a little english and has even been to Singapore.So we started talking about Singapore and what i was doing in the Ukraine.The molestor joined in the conversation too.Sailor made it a point to speak to me only in English and the leacherous men didn't not understand anything that we spoke about.

They were all surprised to find out that I was travelling alone and heading to ...of all places....Chernitvsi.And even more surprised to find out that I had a friend there.( Is couchsurfing counted? :) ) Sailor gave me his contact and bade me farewell when the train arrived at his stop.It is a pity that I have lost his number and name after my bag (with my notebook ) was stolen in Malaysia after my trip.

The girl sleeping on the top bunk came down after then men left and we started talking.She studied german and english in her university and is working as a translator.And she is coming to Chernitvsi to visit her boyfriend,so she was hurriedly putting on makeup ,nice clothes and high heels.She smiled.For her boyfriend,she has to look pretty.

As we got off the train , I saw her boyfriend come up to her and they were wrapped in a sweet embrace.Before they left , she turned around smiled and waved at me.

I smiled back,with my heavy 17kg backpack on my back , I trotted out of the station to look for the bus to my host's place.It was drizzling.How I wish that I had boyfriends who will pick me up at the station of every city that I visit.But if i have to look pretty all the time for men and wear killer heels, perhaps it's just easier to carry that 17kg backpack on my back and just find my way around on my own!

Crimea : Simferopol

As I arrived in Simferopol where my luggage was stored, I noticed a banner along the streets advertising tours in Asia and Singapore!Wished that i had the time to take some photos of that!

Although i didn't have time to check out the city , the train ride from Simferopol was really interesting.

The попутчики/poputchiki ( fellow travellers _ there isn't an appropriate english word to describe strangers you meet on the train,sleeping in the same wagon and start conversations with ) sleeping around my berth in the wagon section was a ukrainian couple.The lady was a russian language teacher in Odessa!She speaks english and is good friends with the peace corps volunteers in Odessa.She enlightened me about stories of international students studying in Odessa.The dark side of things.

She told me that she loves the Ukraine but wishes that there is a Singapore styled government running it.And the way the elect for their president is by ...which candidate will do lesser harm to their country.That was my moment of pride!They had a tv program in the Ukraine about Singapore and its achievements.And apparently, my ukrainian friend told me that her teacher spoke of Singapore during her class in university.About Lee Kuan Yew.Our living legend respected by us all!

We had really strange poputchiki sleeping next to us.A very rude and sarcastic old American man in his 70ties who could not take the discomfort of sleeping in 3rd class ,yet did not pay a higher price to sleep in the 1st class wagon.There was this ukrainian woman in her 40ties,wearing leopard print pants and a shiny gold jacket who spoke a little english helping him out.This perhaps led to some stares.Was she dating this 70 year old jackass?It's a disgrace to Ukrainian women!The Ukrainian lady had a daughter who was ignoring her mother the whole journey.Probably because of the old American Jackass.

I later found out at the train station that she was just trying to help the foreigner and they were not related at all.The American man went his own way after getting off the train at Odessa.And I spoke to him briefly at the luggage storage area at the train station.He was much nicer to me there.

It was a pity that I didn't dare to take any photos with these very interesting poputchiki.I wished that I had just asked!

Train Station at Simferopol, Ukraine

Crimea : Bakhchsaray

Bakhchsaray .If there was one city/village in the Ukraine  I was extremely excited to see...this will be it.Most of the Muslim population and Tatars in Ukraine live here.Although I am not a Muslim , Islam and islamic art fascinates me.

While studying in Petrozavodsk,Russia, I met a lady in the Petrozavodsk Orchestra who was from a city near Bakhchsaray and she had only nice things to rave about it,admist the surprise that a young girl.....from Singapore has even heard about the city.However,I was warned by my host in Yalta that some Tatars cannot be trusted,so i have to watch my back all the time.

Fortunately ,I did not meet anyone who was dodgy or ill treated me.Everyone left me alone until I approached them for help on directions.The woman i approached to ask for directions appeared shy under her tudung but made sure that I got onto the right bus to get to Khan's Palace.

I had to catch a bus ( 1hour ride ) at 5pm from Bakhchsaray to Simferopol so that i will not miss the 7pm train onwards to Odessa.THat gives me less than 4 hours to check out both Khan's palace and the caves.Another big rush for the day.


What to see?1) Khan's Palace
2) Chufut Kale cave city


Khan's Palace
It is actually pretty incredible to see this in the Ukraine.Just like how the beauty of the Vietnamese temple behind the tall white walls shocked me in Kharkov , Khan's Palace surprised me.Minarets and islamic art was showcased in the Palace.

A Church in a cave?
A short walk in the direction of Chufut Kale cave city will bring you to a Russian Orthodox Church................. in a cave! While most people expect the standard standalone Russian Orthodox Church to be around Ukraine , Bakhchsaray boost something that the other parts of Ukraine can't offer.As lonely planet says , the church that makes everyone goes ahhhhhhhhh! it sure did!

Chufut Kale Cave City
From the cave church ,it is an easy hike up to the Chufut Kale Cave City.Not advisable to do in boots.( my only footwear for the trip) . The route up through the jungled area had a distincted paved trail and a few people selling souvenirs along the way.

And finally after an hour, I saw it.The yellow sign hidden among the trees- Chufut Kale!Looking left , there it was.The cave cities ,Chufut Kale.It was amazing...until i realized that there was a girl sitting at the entrance collecting an entrance fee.(Did she walk up like this everyday?).I met a German couple visiting the caves as well.They were travelling around the world on their bicycles.And I am a Singaporean girl who speaks a little Russian that appeared out of nowhere at this cave city in Crimea.Now that's random.

And we found a movie crew filming in Chufut Kale!
They came up by trucks.One actor dressed in Middle Eastern attire appeared in front of me suddenly and gave me a shock.He laughed at my expression.And I hurried off.If only I stopped to ask what movie this was.

Hurrying down back to the city after snapping a few shots, i cursed at myself for not allocating more time for this city.

Well, back to to Simferopol!To catch my train to Odessa!

Crimea : Sevastopol

Crimea was given to Ukraine by Russia as a gift ,with no conditions attached.And that was perhaps the worst mistake Russia could ever make.This gave Ukraine the power to use Crimea as a bargaining chip for oil and gas supplies at subsidized prices.And in Sevastopol , the Russian black sea continue to station at the port after a renewal of terms in 2010.Terms which the Ukrainians think is absolutely ridiculous.This is a frequent source of heated debate in parliment.

Sevastopol is almost a 100% Russian city in Ukraine.Everyone here speaks Russian.Shokoladnitsa, the cafe which most city slicker Russian is familiar with is all around the city.Most people in Sevastopol i heard are keen on having Sevastopol being recognised as a Russian territory rather than Ukrainian.It is after all Russia that has all the money and resources and can bring a higher probability of growth and stability to the city. 
I am stopping over inSevastopol for 3 hours before heading off to Bakchasary.And rushing from one attraction to another became my next goal.

What to see?
Khersones and Panorama were the 2 tourist attractions on my agenda.The challenge to was check out both places in 3 hours.Asking the people standing at the bus stop , they guided me onto the bus in the direction of Khersones.People were extremely friendly and easy going here.None of the city rush and anger.On the bus , it was extremely obvious that i was a tourist clutching on to my guidebook.A young Ukrainian boy approached me and asked if i needed help as he spoke english.I like Sevastopol already!

Khersones is located just off the center of Sevastopol.A bus ride of about 20 minutes is expected from the train station with an additional 15 minutes walk.The bus driver told me when to get off and wished me good luck.
For those interested in the history,here is the link :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chersonesos_Taurica

Visiting a tourist attraction can be extremely boirng if you don't know the history behind it.As for me , the ignorant Singaporean , I didn't have time to read much about the history before going there.Just be there, see it, absorb the beauty, read about it later and appreciate it.
Buses leave back to the city center every half an hour from Khersones.And the mad rush to see the next attraction began.
Panorama is a museum in the city center on a hill,showcasing items related to the wars.A guide will bring you through all the items explaining every single detail from the history book to you in Russian.You can skip that and go striaght to the main attraction which the museum has to show.The main attraction is a huge hall with one big painting,where you have to walk 360degrees around to realize that you have no idea where the picture actually starts or ends.
Here is the link
http://sevastopol.russian-women.net/Panorama.shtml

My only advice to travellers coming to Sevastopol.....spend a full day here.Head to the port , check out the ships, sit around and watch the young sailors.Make a new friend..( A trustable one of course! ) That is more enjoyable than just ticking off tourist attractions off the list.

Crimea : Yalta

Crimea - the Summer Playground for Russians up to this present day.You get splendid views of the mountains and the sea being on this islet.Checking out Crimea was on the top of my to do list.Yalta was my first stop.

Accomodation Woes no more
I wasn't able to find a couchsurfing host in Yalta previously.With the help of my Couchsurfing host Daria in Kharkov,I called a host i found via Hospitality Club and she agreed to host me in Yalta the next day.What luck!The host , Elena is a university graduate specializing in tourism and works as a tour guide in the Crimea during summer.In return for staying with her , i have to speak english and that was a great trade!

For those who come to Yalta without booking an accomodation , a contingent of babushki will be at the bus station waiting for your arrival.Each babushka has a set of keys for various accomodation options around Yalta.Just quote your price and they will find you a place to stay.Many Crimeans rent out their Seaside houses to tourists during summer and move to their dacha.This is perhaps the best and only time for them to earn money during the year.The Crimea region is heavily dependent on tourism and anytime outside summer means no income.

Weather
While , it is guaranteed sunshine in June , it may not be the case in May.While it may be burning hot in Kharkov , going further South does not guarantee warmer weather.Leaving my luggage behind in the Simferopol train station storage area before taking a bus to Yalta , I travelled light with just one set of clothes and no extra warm clothing.Bad move.It started raining in Yalta.Enduring the cold became a necessity.

What to see in Yalta?
1) Ai Putri
2) Lividia Palace
3) Swallows Nest

Soaked , the plans to check out the peak of Ai-Putri via cable car had to be cancelled .At the peak of Ai- Putri , there are some shops selling Tatar food ,and on the way down , visitors will be treated to a beautiful view of waterfalls )


Elena brought me to Lividia Palace instead.Lividia Palace, the summer retreat of the last Russian tsar and where Winston Churchill ,Franklin Roosevelt and other American delegates lived in when they were in Crimea for the 1945 conference.There are perks for being a tour guide because tour guides get to enters musuems for free if they bring a paying guest in.Elena took me on an interesting tour around the palace and the surrounding park.

Taking a boat ride to Swallows Nest ,a castle sits perched on a cliff .If you understand Russian , you'll be treated to a long commentary on Yalta's history.I nearly froze to death on the boat there.The sea breeze in May can chill your bones.It was not particularly interesting but the castle perched on the cliff definately gives any tourist an incredible view from the boat.My damaged camera did no justice to the real thing

To buy
Crimean dessert wine!

The host
Although it was my first time meeting Elena  and her husband, we never ran out of things to talk about.From travelling to studying in Crimea and even tennis! Elena is a Russian girl brought up in the Ukraine.While her husband is a Ukrainian who can't really speak Ukrainian.They met on a hiking trip in the mountains and were inseparable ever since.They both love the mountains and nature.While Elena is fluent in English, her husband is still learning and has been encouraged by his employers , an American computer programming company to learn English.So he is getting alot of help from his wife indeed!

We chatted for half and hour during our quick breakfast before i left at 630am to catch the first bus to Sevastopol the next morning.And of course i left Yalta extremely happy with 2 small bottles of Crimean dessert wine!

The city of Yalta attracts hoards of russian tourists during summer ,but fails to be a similar draw to an international crowd.And Elena ,a fluent english speaker is trying her best to make Crimea known as a fabulous tourist destination via the internet.
Elena's link :http://tripcrimea.ucoz.ua/index/english_version/0-41
Look her up if you head to the Crimea!

Eastern Ukraine : Kharkov

Entering Ukraine via the East  from Russia, my first stop was Kharkov.Kharkov is known as a student city rather than a tourist hotspot.Unlike most tourists coming to the Ukraine, I chose to spend 3 days exploring this quiet and quaint city.

Friends
Visiting Friends was the main reason for coming to Kharkov.I met 2 Ukrainian girls Zhenya & Nadia while working at a summer camp in Ohio during my 2007 summer vacation and promised that I would visit them one day.

Victory Day
Victory Day was celebrated on the 9th of May , not just in Russia but also in the former USSR countries.(ie.Ukraine !)Every city will hold huge celebrations on the 9th of May.And since it was the 65th year , massive efforts were made to ensure that a grand parade and concert was put up with a grand display of fireworks at night.

The Host
My couchsurfing host Daria was an absolute angel.I was introduced to her entrepreneurial family ( they sell second hand books ) who welcomed me with a picnic with shaslik (russian kebab ) .A cheerful and bright Ukrainian girl,Daria not only speaks Russian,Ukrainian but also speaks English and Arabic fluently .She holds a degree in audit and accounting , but pursued her interest and set up her own little book shop !Well travelled not just in Ukraine , she has also hopped around the Middle east,Egypt and Turkey on her own and pursued her passion for salsa dancing.It is so inspiring meeting people like that!

Checking out the city
Daria's boyfriend Sergey met me at the train station to take my luggage back to Daria's place.I was suppose to meet Zhenya at the bus station as well but she was no where to be seen until Sergey and I decided to start walking from the train station.Then , there she was.Screaming , it was absolutely amazing to see a familiar face and a friend.Zhenya joined me in my trip to Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2009.And it was incredible that i was meeting her again the next year!Although Zhenya was rushing to complete her university thesis ,she took 2 days off to show me her city and introduce me to her friends.It was amazing to catch up on everything and how unexpectedly different our lifes have evolved since a year ago.Ticking off one tourist attraction after another , we had a pleasent walk around the city.

Nadia met up with me on the last day after arriving back from a conference in Kievence.She introduced me to a group of her friends who brought me to a forest in Kharkov for a picnic.A group of high flyers who excel in their studies.This group met through a program called Tiens http://www.tiens.com/tiens/group/en/Global_TIENS/europe_region.htm
( something like a combination of  superteen camp,,AIESEC ,health product ).I even had an experience of walking on hot coal not once but 3 times.

The Vietnamnese population
What surprised me was the huge number of international students in Kharkov.The vietnamese population is huge and well off .And a huge buddhist temple is constructed here in Kharkov by the Viets living here.
Daria suggested to me the Buddhist temple as a possible place to check out during my stay here.
Hidden behind high walls , security was tight and my Ukrianian friends knew that their only chance to get inside to check out the temple was through me , since i am from South East Asia.

Initially ,the ukrainian security guard refused to let me , Daria and Sergey in ,insisting that "Only people from China and Vietnam " can enter.{Since when did buddhism discriminate against people who are not from China and Vietnam?} Lucky for us, a few Vietnamese women were about to leave the temple when they found out that a Singaporean was here and was keen on visiting the temple.They invited all 3 of us in.And it was a jaw dropping experience not just for me ,but especially so for Daria and Sergey who were shocked to find such a huge and grand temple with many statues in a sprawling estate in their own city.They are perhaps one of the very few Ukrainians who have visited the temple.

We later found out why they restricted the entry of the temple.Many people misunderstood the buddhist practices ,constantly taking photos inside and were creating noise outside the temple.Fearing being misunderstood , the Vietnamese closed the temple off to the public.

At the train station , waiting for my train ride to Kharkov , Zhenya , Nadia , Daria  & Sergey stood there waving.I left Kharkov with an even wider network of friends.

Love Travel , Love Life , Love Friends.Love.

Ukraine - Украина 2010

After the 2 months of language immersion in Petrozavodsk , Russia , it was time to practise what i had been slogging to achieve for the past 2 months.Travelling solo in the Ukraine and speaking Russian as much as i could.

I spent 12 days in the Ukraine hoping that i will be able to experience life in the Ukraine,both as a tourist and in the shoes of the local.12 days to travel one loop around the Ukraine.It was indeed exhausting but extremely fulfilling.

Eastern Ukraine :Kharkov
Crimea :Simferopol ,Yalta , Sevastopol ,Bakhchsaray
Southern Ukraine :Odessa
Carpathians : Chernitvsi, Kolomyya
Central Ukraine : Kamyanet Polidsky 
Western Ukraine : Lvov
Capital : Kiev

Over the 12 days , i met many amazing people ,some of whom i didn't get an opportunity to take photos with.But photos or not , the memories are still imprinted fresh in my head.And that is all that matters.

After a while , tourist attractions looked similar and the architecture didn't win me over.But it was the different people whom i met over the 12 days , the ups and downs that i have been through as a solo traveller with a 20kg backpack that made yet another impact in my life.

And after the trip , i think i am safe to say that I have seen more tourist attractions in the Ukraine than many of the ukrainians themselves :)

I am after all , that crazy Singaporean!



Finland Frenzy

Finland won't be the first country that Singaporeans will think of when they hear USSR or Russian Empire.They will be thinking of  Siberia or countries ending with the suffix -stan (ie Kazhakstan)
Note : Siberia is actually part of the Russian Federation.Not a separate country itself!

But in 1809 , during the Finnish War, Finland was ceded to the Russian Empire.And in 1917,Lenin and the Bolsheviks recognized Finland as an independent country.During World War 2, Finland fought against the Soviet Union and had to cede a huge part of Karelia to the Soviet Union.
Before heading to Petrozavodsk (Karelia Republic,Russia ) in the west northen side of Russia for my language immersion, i decided to drop by Finland for a visit on route to Russia.Geographically , Petrozavodsk is extremely near Finland .However , the bus routes from Finland to Petrozavodsk was uncertain , making it necessary for me to take a bus to Saint Petersburg and a train up to Petrozavodsk.
Tampere
Tampere is the 2nd biggest city in Finland.While , the Helsinki city slickers have called it a boring "countryside town" , I had the most interesting adventure here.I was going to spend 2 days with Tiina , a crazy and absolutely fun Finnish girl whom i befriended during my student exchange program in Moscow 2009. Tiina is a Finnish student majoring in journalism in Finland.

There are regular bus services from Helsinki Airport to Tampere.And upon my arrival in the city at 530pm ,i was told that there was a bus strike going on and 1/3 of the buses will stop plying their routes after 6pm.
Read about it here!
http://helsinkitimes.org/htimes/domestic-news/general/10072-finlands-bus-coach-and-lorry-drivers-to-go-on-strike-.html

Tiina and her friends had plans for their Singaporean visitor for the night.A traditional Finnish Sauna.Due to the unexpected bus strikes ,I was brought to the Finnish Sauna immediately upon arrival with my 27kg luggages.

Finnish Saunas
Sitting in a cramped mixed gender sauna and later taking a dip into the icy lake was indeed an experience.Taking a dip in the icy lake in March is no joke.Roilling in the snow in swim wear isn't either.But the crazy Singaporean did it all.The frozen pain was numbed by downing Apple Cider!

Other amazing things to do & check out in TampereHeavy Metal Karaoke pub , Cafes, Moomin Museum , Kaupehaulli and sledding down snow slopes.

Helsinki
Capital of Finland and it sure looks like another capital.Tall buildings, the hustle and bustle of city life all around.I was couchsurfing in Helsinki with a kind Finnish guy  Lasse.Lasse is a Finnish student who had done an internship with Lenovo in Singapore .Cool dude with pretty good taste in decorating his studio room.

Perhaps my arrival was a jinx as another piece of bad news came upon my arrival in Helsinki.The ice on the Baltic sea trapped thousands of passengers.Weird things happen when new places are visited in Finland.Perhaps it's a good thing that i left Finland the next day.
Read about it here!
http://www.examiner.com/x-3122-Chicago-International-Travel-Examiner~y2010m3d4-Baltic-Sea-ice-strands-thousands-of-ferry-passengers

The buzz of the capitalThough i spent just an hour or 2 walking around Helsinki, it reminded me of just another city.It wasn't very special.If not for the great company with Lasse , Helsinki could have been extremely boring for me.It is afterall people who make your travels an interesting one.

Onward travel
A bus ticket for a 7 hour bus ride from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg,Russia is sold at just 15 Euros.(to be paid to the bus driver ).This makes travelling by bus to Russia from Finland the most ideal option for most travellers.A 2 hour bus ride from Helsinki airport to Tampere bus station costed 38 Euros.Doesn't this make travelling in Russia more attractive in terms of cost?

Met an interesting 40+ year old Finnish man with a beer belly ,who spoke perfect Russian and some english on the bus.He was helping me with everything,from translating to bringing me to the right train station in Saint Petersburg ,even though i knew my way around.

Such Kindness :)

Life is Short.Start Travelling

Life is short and most people end up complaining and living their life full of regrets.

Not anymore.

After reaching Adulthood ,it was time to break out from the herd of sheep to do some soul searching and ignite a passion for life.

The journey to Russia in 2009 kick started what became the most enlightening and exciting journey I have taken til date.

A university study exchange program in Moscow (2009) and other Russian travels (2009-and beyond)
See link : http://burtontravels.blogspot.com/

2 month Russian Language Program in Petrozavodsk and taught Russian orphans english in Saint Petersburg
See link : http://burtonback.blogspot.com/

People just don't know how much they are actually capable of doing until a real challenge is thrown at them.And all these challenges are what make life exciting.

Although the carefree life once enjoyed during the term breaks from universities are over , the flame of desire for the yearly dose of excitement and adventure continues to burn.Travelling to at least one former USSR state every year became a goal.For adventure , for potential investment opportunities , for new friendships and experience and for living life to the fullest!

So cheers to exploring the gems of the former Soviet empire.

Spin the globe &; Fly around the world!