Our train doesn’t depart until 21:52 so we’ve got the whole day to explore. Check out is at noon, but we can extend that to 14:00 for no extra charge plus they have a left luggage room so we are fine to leave our bags for the day.
The plan is to find the train station, a grocery store then the rest of the day is left to wander the city. It’s Sunday so not sure what all is going to be open. M wants to do some writing, C wants to sleep so F and I wander over to the abandoned play park and explore.
It seems like such a strange place. I can see the remains of a BBQ stand, change rooms, picnic tables and a stage and outdoor dance floor. It’s seen better days and everything is rusted and in some need of TLC. Yet it is still in use as a public space even if no one is taking care of it.
There are 2 men doing some kick-boxing sparring, a young couple comes with their little girl to play on the rusty slide, an elderly Grandmother comes later with her infant granddaughter to play on the merry-go-round.
There is a small concrete dock that you can walk onto and listen to the ice. Depending on the tide the ice floes will come right up to shore as they did this morning with the fog. It’s bright, clear and with the sun shining it’s not nearly as cold as I initially thought so I already need to take off a layer. And mud, did I mention the mud? It’s everywhere and on everything, including my sneakers.
We circle back to the hotel and pick up the other two and head off to find the train station. It’s just a quick 10 min walk and the grocery store is right across the street so that’s simple enough. The station is right down at the harbour and there are lots of boats and ships in the area as well as lots of sailors. Can I just say at this moment, how sexy the Russian Sailor uniform is, just sayin J
In our wanders we were approached by 2 young men that ended up being 1st year students at the Mariners college. I think they just wanted to practise their English as there didn’t seem to be a purpose other than to say a friendly hello. They were nice enough to pose for a photo as well which was appreciated. It wasn’t until after we left that I realized we didn’t get their names.
There is a main square down by the water with a large statue commemorating some military conquest I’m sure. There are also a number of military vehicles and guys in fatigues so I’m thinking now is not a good time to take a photo. We find the GUM shopping centre which is the old Soviet style mall. Kind of like a House of Fraser but with kiosks and lots of empty space. All I know is it’s incredibly hot in here and I last all of about 10 min before I need to go outside.
In our wanders of the day I come across a submarine, a military memorial, some onion dome thing that looks more like a tourist place than a church and a fancy Arch. There is music that is being piped in from the museum across from it playing a waltz\z and there are some little kids dancing.
We take a tram ride up the side of a hill to a viewpoint called the Eagles Nest. I suppose it would be beautiful if there wasn’t so much smog in the air and the city wasn’t so industrial looking. I hesitate to call Vladivostok ugly, but it certainly doesn’t have much going for it aesthetically from what I’ve seen so far. Everything is dusty, gray and extremely tired looking, especially our hotel. At one point in time I’m sure it was a gleaming white concrete structure. But in looking at it today it looks forgotten with peeling paint and no landscaping just brown weeds and mud surrounding it.
Claire and I head back to the hotel before the others and find the little snack shop above reception and purchase a bottle of local brew and a large bag of crips. It is a nice view overlooking the water and the ice floes have wandered further out to sea again. There is no wind so the sea is like glass.
Down in reception there is a little girl dancing and leaping around the large space in a tutu.
We stop for dinner enroute to the train station. Just a wee little place where you order from the counter and we get 4 different kinds of perogies (cabbage, potato, sweetened cheese (kind of like ricotta) and one that has some kind of meat (not my fav). There is a wee little girl that keeps walking past our table, maybe 3 yrs old? There is also a small gift shop attached to the cafe and when looking around I spot my opportunity to snap her picture (her mom is behind me). I take it then show the little girl and she bursts into a giggle. Then keeps following me around tugging on my trouser leg and pointing at my camera so I show her the photo again. Adorable :)
Dinner finished we make our way down to the station and I do guard duty with the bags as the other 3 head to the market across the street to pick up some food to take on our 3 day journey on the train.
When the time comes we make our way to the platform, find our carriage and board. They really should adopt the ‘mind the gap’ campaign here as the gap is ridiculous. I have to pass my bags to M as I haul myself up onto the train (no steps) using both handrails.
We are staying in 2nd class with a 4 berth sleeper (think bunk beds). A mattress roll, feather pillow, sheets, wool blanket and what looks like a tea towel are supplied.
We are ready to begin the first leg of our train journey across Siberia from Vladivostok to Irkutsk (3 nights/3 days). Not sure just what I’ve got myself into here.
