After the long journey from Berlin it was nice to arrive in Kiev although finding our hotel, located just of Maiden (Independence) Square was a bit of a challenge as I remember it. The entrance certainly did not look like a hotel!

Our first evening was spent at the Buddah Bar, pretty close to the hotel, where we enjoyed some tasty Thai food. It was however here that I received a telephone call from the UK advising me that my dad was ill with what eventually was diagnosed as a terminal brain tumour. This did mean that for the rest of the trip across to Vladivostok there were lots of concerns as operations and further tests were being arranged for him. So, whilst the trip was not only a challenge in itself having serious issues back at home were always at the back of my mind even though my Mum and Dad did want us to carry on our trip.

Kiev was actually quite a nice place to wander around and there was plenty to keep us busy for a few days. We could have taken a day trip to Chernobyl and entered the restricted area - which is now possible - although we settled for visiting the National Museum in Kiev.

After just forty eight hours in Kiev it was time to move on again and make the journey to Moscow on board Train 2, the 2052 from Kiev Pass to Moscow Kievskaja arriving at 0645 the following day into the Russian capital. This was a fairly short 533 mile trip but travelling via Ukraine rather than Belarus, which was a bit of a detour, did mean one less visa was required so we actually saved a bit of money.