After nine previous Trans-Siberian train journeys, we were pleased that Monday night’s journey from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok would be our last. Having spent the day in the freezing wind, we arrived at the station early, and awaited our train. Once onboard, we made ourselves as comfortable as possible, and hoped that time would pass quickly. Sadly, a woman who walked about a lot, repeatedly invited train staff into our compartment and insisted on the door being left ajar during the night joined us. Once asleep, she roared like a wounded beast. We didn’t sleep much. Time didn’t pass quickly.
Tuesday morning was wet. The rain in Vladivostok was heavy and water streamed down the streets. We changed into our waterproof gear in the station and went in search of breakfast. Check-in at the hostel wasn’t until midday, but we’re now experts at making coffee last a ridiculously long time. The lack of train sleep meant we were happy to sit in the hostel until the rain stopped. Once it did stop, it was time for a walk.
As it’s the largest Russian port on the Pacific Ocean, walking in most directions in Vladivostok leads to water. Our afternoon walk took us to the beach and Dynamo Stadium, home to the local football team, FC Luch-Energiya Vladivostok. As the afternoon sun went down, we walked further inland and watched some of the crazy rush-hour drivers somehow manage to avoid colliding with each other. We ate at a really good noodle restaurant, and made our way back to the hostel for an early night.
I started Wednesday with a morning run around some of the city’s sights, most of which we visited later in the day, while a lot less out of breath. After waking Fionnuala up, we ate bacon crepes at a nearby food court, and then walked to the S56 submarine and the eternal flame, a tribute to those who lost their lives during World War Two. We didn’t realise that a canon would be fired at 12 o’clock beside a warship at the port. That came as a rather loud surprise, particularly to Fionnuala, who practically ‘stop, drop and rolled’ to escape the gunfire!
Having browsed an array of military weapons and vehicles on our way, we took the funicular railway to a lookout point with spectacular views of Golden Horn Bridge. A statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius, inventors of the Cyrillic alphabet, stood at the lookout point. I think we’ve seen their statue in every Russian city we’ve visited, so it seemed fitting that they should join us on our final full day in Russia.
We celebrated our final evening in Russia with a burger and a beer – things we’re good at ordering, particularly when there’s an English menu! Also, as someone had put an irresistible patisserie opposite our hostel…
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