Way to Russia Talk Lounge

UsualSuspect · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:44 am Post subject: Last call for info....

So,
Back to Krasnoyarsk in 2.5 weeks. For Australian Friend I'm going to get prices/timetable of the boats north and south...and if Siberiamad hasn't been already...some up to date hotel options...

I may even be kind and see if I can find the train tariff's again...

Hopefully I'll be exploring further afield and not swimming in Lignite mine slag pits etc etc....hmmm....wonder if I could get a peek at anything to do with Siblag....

Bye for now
Usualsuspect

UsualSuspect · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: Urggghh...too much vodichka...

Well,
There are three floating hotels, LITVA, MAYAK and VICTORIA on the raging Enisey river. I say raging as the sluice gates have been opened at Divnogorsk and when I got here the river was 2.5 metres higher than normal. I asked some friends and they said the last time this happened was 20 years ago.

I will ask my wife to go to Rechnoi Vokzal and look up the boats etc.

No info forthcoming on trains, sorry, but I've only caught an electrichki to Achinsk.

In the two years since my wife and I left, prices have gone up by 60-75% for a lot of what would be basic items. Bus fares, petrol, coffee etc etc.
They were respectively 5 Roubles, 12.5 Roubles a litre and 128 Roubles.
They are now 8 Roubles, 18.5 Roubles and 226 Roubles (I'm a pig for Nescafe Alta Rica in case you were wondering).

We visited our usual haunt for a fine meal, the Balkan Grill. The food is still excellent, but the same 50.00 Aus now doesn't buy you desert or dvesti gramme of vodka as well. Such is life. My favourite vices haven't suffered at all. Ciggies are the same price (1.50 Aus a pack - Russian Style Lights) and vodka is up only 10%.

Another thing that has struck me is the sheer amount of japanese/euro cars & 4WD's on the road. Also Range Rovers.....eek..they are frightfully expensive in Aus and yet there is an obvious market now.

A lot of buildings are being painted and the city is undergoing a beautification process. A new monument to the "Trakt" between Mow and Vladik was completed last week next to my wife's flat and the railway station has been utterly transformed. It's a work of art now.

Before I sign off for now...I hate russian drivers (Have been in an accident not 4 hours off the plane) and am almost a nervous wreck and will walk rather than get into another car, I am certain to spew if I so much glance at a bottle of vodka and I can't face eating anything for about another three months. Banya's are great for the suffering....

Da Svidanya
UsualSuspect