Both teams made it across the Russian border yesterday afternoon, and finally met up as planned in St Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe. The border crossing was 'interesting' for team WombatsKhan, nobody spoke any English and so we held up the queue, until a very nice man came to our aid and translated for us, the guards had a tertiary look inside the car, stamped a load of paperwork, and then pointed us to the road, we were in, the whole process taking just over two hours.
Apparently the road from the Finland borader to St Petersburg is one of the best in Russia, if that is indeed the case we are in trouble, it was dreadful, think half dirt road and you are close, oh and the holes, big enough to cause some serious damage to the wombat (car). The Russian drivers are best described as 'eager', insomuch as they seem eager to leave this life and enter the next. When you are planning to overtake a truck you aim for the best part of the road first, then prepare for a Russian to then overtake you at the same time, so three abreast overtaking, certainly not for the faint hearted, or those driving an overweight under powered Micra. Neil now has considerably more grey in his beard this morning.
We opted for a rest in St Petersburg when we planned the rally, and what a great decision that was, an absolutely fantastic city, vibrant, buzing with Russian and Eurpean opulance and so much history you just cannot take it all in. Not a concrete wall in site, just massive cuts of granite and other expensive stone. The old city justifies a week alone to fully explore its wide streets and hidden wonders, we will come back here.
Our first real rain today (22nd) and its poured down, but that hasn't taken anything away from our time in St Petersburg.
We are having issues uploading photo's to the blog for some technical reason beyond Neil and Jo. We will keep trying.
Both teams set off tomorrow for the outskirts of Moscow, a drive at I'm sure will bring a few white knuckle moments....
Apparently the road from the Finland borader to St Petersburg is one of the best in Russia, if that is indeed the case we are in trouble, it was dreadful, think half dirt road and you are close, oh and the holes, big enough to cause some serious damage to the wombat (car). The Russian drivers are best described as 'eager', insomuch as they seem eager to leave this life and enter the next. When you are planning to overtake a truck you aim for the best part of the road first, then prepare for a Russian to then overtake you at the same time, so three abreast overtaking, certainly not for the faint hearted, or those driving an overweight under powered Micra. Neil now has considerably more grey in his beard this morning.
We opted for a rest in St Petersburg when we planned the rally, and what a great decision that was, an absolutely fantastic city, vibrant, buzing with Russian and Eurpean opulance and so much history you just cannot take it all in. Not a concrete wall in site, just massive cuts of granite and other expensive stone. The old city justifies a week alone to fully explore its wide streets and hidden wonders, we will come back here.
Our first real rain today (22nd) and its poured down, but that hasn't taken anything away from our time in St Petersburg.
We are having issues uploading photo's to the blog for some technical reason beyond Neil and Jo. We will keep trying.
Both teams set off tomorrow for the outskirts of Moscow, a drive at I'm sure will bring a few white knuckle moments....
Grand Hotel Europe St Petersburg
Winter Palace St Petersburg
Hi Looks great well done cant believe flag still on aerial!! L & S
ReplyDelete