Way to Russia Talk Lounge

dodgy122000 · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

Hi

I will be driving from England to Moscow in the Spring of 2007 in an American Ford Mustang GT Convertible, I have always been curious about Russia and just want to see the country.

I have a few questions;

1) I do not speak any Russian and I am a black guy - am I safe?
2) What should I see along my route which will be through Poland and Belarus? And what to see and where to stay once in Moscow?
3) What do I really need to know? Any tips?

D

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

This is a wind-up right? You can't be serious.

If you are, dude you're in for a real awakening. First you're going to need a pile if visas. Ummm, have you looked into that? Second, if your car disappears in Belarus, don't be surprised. If you disappear in Belarus, don't be surprised either.

Just because you hatch a half-baked idea about some kind of lifetime adventure, doesn't make it a good idea. You'd better do some hard research and then come up with an alternate adventure plan.

MrYaag · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Thats your adventure flushed down the toilet Very Happy

!!!

Just dont take the belarus route and you will be ok!!!

dodgy122000 · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

I would like to know what is so unsafe about Belarus/Russia and what problems can I expect for my car. Where do you suggest I conduct my research? All the Lonely Planet and other sites seem a bit more relaxed about it.

The Visa things are just formalities that I have plenty of time to work out

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject:

It is impossible from your posts to determine how much research you have done (it looks likes not alot). Therefore, it doesn't seem to be worth investing time to help you with specifics. Questions such as "what should I see along the way" are really down to personal preference. There is a wealth of information available on the website, this forum and on other travelling "fora". You are more likely to get constructive help if you can demonstrate in your posts that you have done some planning.
Do you speak russian or any other languages?
Are you going alone?
What if your car breaks down in Russia and needs repairs?
Will fuel of the appropriate quality be available in the areas you wish to visit in Russia?
Do you wish to subject your car to the variability of Russian roads?
Have you driven anywhere "challenging" abroad where the roads and the drivers are crap?
Some people do make successful trips - greycloud, chrisrein, DITTRICH, Mr Purves and so on. read their posts and blogs to understand what you are trying to do.
Rgds
Les

steve7871 · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

Sorry to say it, but as a black guy you're not particularly safe either. Many Russians can be quite racist.

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

Where to start....

Visas are NOT "just formalities." In fact they can be very expensive and very difficult to get. You'll see.

I think Belarus as well as Russia has registration rules. All people MUST BE registered somewhere with an address. This will prove very difficult in a Ford Mustang. Failure to comply with the letter of the law in these countries guarantees many expensive confrontations with militsia who speak a language you do not understand.

You will be:
(possibly) the only black person in Belarus with likely the only Ford Mustang GT convertible in the entire country. Belarus is Europe's last dictatorship and a tremendously underpriviliged country with a virulently corrupt legal and law enforcement system. Not good.

You speak no Russian. Shocked

That's really really not good.

Are you sounding like a target yet? These are not places where it is a good thing to stand out as different, foreign, and worse, rich. You have managed to hit on all 3 and yet can't imagine why take a convertible Mustang on a road trip through totalitarian countries might not be a great idea....

And last but not least: the car. The average wage in Russia is $500 a month. You think that car is safe in places where people can barely afford a new winter coat? And it has no roof? d'oh!

Within 24 hours it will be stripped. You'll be foot peddling what's left of a Flintstone mobile. And what company anywhere in its right mind is going insure said Mustang??

Stay in England and drive your hot shot mobile around. Save yourself some grief. This plan is not a plan but a dream. Find a new one.

dodgy122000 · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

Is Russia really as dangerous as you are saying or is this people having a laugh? Would I be safe if I travelled with a friend or should I just forget about it?

D

DITTRICH · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:07 am Post subject:

None of the posts here are "having a laugh" at your expense.
However, you've now posted 3 times without really convincing anyone YOU are serious (ie have done some research) and without asking specific questions which demonstrate that.
Some posts are harsh but they are given with the best of intentions by people who have some experience of what you are trying to do. The advice is free (and unbiased). Take it or leave it.
Les

dodgy122000 · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

Once more onto the brig.....

The advice I have been recieving so far has amounted to "don't go there!"

I seem to have to prove my research credentials before being given constructive advice.

I am aware that I shall need to purchase insurances both for my medical care and vehicle insurances before being allowed into Belarus. I am aware that I shall have to prove that I have sufficient funds to support myself and that I own the vehicle legally. I am aware I shall have to hide my radar detector and that I shall have to have hotel bookings made in advance in order to obtain an invitation that I can use to get my Visa's. I am aware that I must be careful of unknown brand names regarding the quality of the fuel I use, also that I must carry a first aid kit and fire extinguiser. I am aware that road conditions may be poor and that other vehicles may not have adequate lighting. I am aware that the police demand on the spot fines for infractions and that there is a zero tolerant for alcohol use whilst driving and that they may remove your driving license if you jump lights. I am aware that my UK vehicle recovery service has an agreement with local service providers in Belarus and Russia and offer english speaking services. I am aware that my Minsk based friend speaks Russian and that once I get there, they will stop me from doing anything too stupid and there is more but it is too boring to recount it all

I just want to know if there is anything in particular I should be avoiding or looking out for before I arrive in Minsk and after I leave them in Minsk to start my homeward journey. Constructive would be nice - is the place really so poor that a soft-top car just gets knifed.

I have also been trying to get Satnav services for Belarus and Russia and am not getting anywhere - any advice. Also, can you confirm that my Orange mobile genuinely works like Orange says it does.

D

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

from what I hear odds are your car will get jacked

Crabman

DITTRICH · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:51 am Post subject:

Dear Mr Dodgy,
Now we are getting somewhere!
You would not believe the number of stupid vague questions that get posted on this forum.
My experience extends only to Russia and I when I do the Baltic route to Moscow I shall be avoiding Belarus, mainly because the route's reputation - deserved or not.
Since you have contacts in Belarus, this is very very good.
My general advice about this is...

1 Always park your car in a guarded carpark overnight.
You will end up paying more than the locals - just pay up.
Space can always be found if they say they're full.
Its a question of how much.
2 Find a copy of the driving regulations/speed limits.
Learn to recognise the beginnings and endings of towns/villages where the limits change. If the same as Russia, its 50kph. keep to the limits. If you must speed, try to do so behind someone else in front - hopefully they will get nicked instead.
3 If other drivers going in the opposite direction flash their lights it means the cops are ahead of you somewhere (probably hiding behind a tree with a radar gun). Slow down.
4 Insurance for your vehicle (3rd party only), original of V5C, IDP, MOT(not strictly necessary), UK photo license. Get colour photocopies of these to hand over to people if necessary. Understand the procedures re police and insurance if you are involved in an accident. Note I don't recommend comprehensive insurance unless it can be done with a UK company and green card. If Belarus is inside the green card scheme I don't know. I think trying to claim off a Belarus insurance company will be very very difficult.
5 May I suggest a change of car to something like 10 years old, diesel fuel, not too fussy on fuel quality, you won't miss it too much if it gets stolen. Your car will stand out too much. I did drive a Mercedes W124 E300D estate to Russia but since the Russians have all the mercs that were ripped off from Germany, I blended into the local scene quite well (apart from the UK plates). Whichever way you look at it a soft top is asking for trouble. Even if you parked somewhere (unguarded) in daylight and left the car - well I don't know for certain but I never ever saw a soft top in Russia AT ALL. Just don't leave anything in the car - eg the satnav if it is portable.
6 For Russia, you will definately at this time require separate insurance because Russia is not part of the greencard scheme. Insurance may well be available at the border but your contacts in Minsk should be able to do some research and you can go along somewhere, pay up and get your insurance sticker. 3rd party insurance is compulsory for Russia. All the above documents in 4 compulsory or recommended. This site has comprehensive instructions in the transport section - getting to russia.
7 For Russia you need a visa and this site has full instructions on how to obtain such a tourist visa.
8 At the Russian border your vehicle will need a temporary import certificate from customs. This may take some time. The cert is usually given for the duration of your tourist visa. Make sure the dates match your visa. Make sure you get a migration card at the border on the way in. You will need this for registration - website has full details about registration.
9 I have travelled about western Russia in a car alone. However, I speak Russian. Take a friend, preferably someone who speaks Russian. You may need them.
10 Many of the Russian major roads are of good quality but you must be very very careful as there can be bad bits without warning which will write off your car. One of my front suspension springs went on my trip and I had to get it replaced when I got back.
11 Headlights - you will need beam converters or get your lights adjusted for the other side of the road. Take - full set of spare bulbs, fuses, spare tire, a can of tire "weld" stuff for temporary repair, foot pump, jump leads, tow rope, spare fuel cannister (20l machinemart do metal ones). You may consider some of this overkill.
If you are really lazy like me, you might wish to buy a 2t trolley jack just in case. I got mine from woolworth - special offer £12.48 .
12 Maps - stanfords, covent garden - paper maps - better than any satnav at this time - expensive but I recommend you look.
13 Poland - use the new toll road as much as possible on the way to Warsaw. Can cut journey time from 7hrs to 4hrs this way. Poland is the country with the worst drivers so I am told.
14 Maybe your minsk based friend can meet you in Poland and then travel together. It will make the border crossing much easier if you have someone who speaks the language. Crossing the border may take some time (ie hours and hours) or may take as little as 1 hour. Best bet very early in the morning say 6-7am.
15 satnav - I believe garmin have maps for belarus in their eastern europe offering but you don't say what satnav device you have.
16 Open your phone for roaming and check the orange website for details of countries where you can use your phone. You will almost certainly need a handset that can work on more than one "band" ie dual band or tri band phones. Check out your handset.

Finally
1 Take another car.
2 Take someone with you.
2 Do your research.

Best of Luck

Les

DITTRICH · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:58 am Post subject:

Spring 2007 - when? - check the weather as certainly in Moscow it can still snow in April (I think) - best months are summer May June July August for these trips. Check the weather out.
Les

dodgy122000 · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

Hi Les

Thank you for your lucid, intelligent, helpful and considered reply. I appreciate it.

I have another Mustang Soft-top I am selling as well as the one I care about - I will take that instead (if it is stolen, I don't care and I'll just collect the insurance).

Everyone else can kiss my black ass!

D