BELARUS 26 – 27 JUNE 2002

(Journal entry by Monika)

After our two days rest in Lithuania we headed towards the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Sadly, we did not have enough time to explore Vilnius. The main reason for being unable to do so was a long border crossing. When we arrived there, we joined onto the end of an enormous queue. I could see immediately that we were going to be delayed at the crossing for at least two or three hours. Our spirits lifted, however, when the locals told us to go to the front. We were happy to oblige, so we moved off and quickly passed along long lanes of waiting Belarus cars, for more than a kilometre.  Exiting Lithuania was easy. Entering Belarus was, once again, a long and tedious two hours or more of endless paper-work and questions.

I am getting more confident now, knowing that all of our documents are in order, and I have got into the habit of having a good chat with border guards and customs officers. In the end they are just men like any others, with families at home. My knowledge of the Russian language enables me to answer all their questions which usually start with the classic: ‘Where from, Where to, Why and How long for‘. That completes the first stage of the questioning. The second revolves around the bikes, our journey to date and the long journey ahead. Of course they all think we are completely mad for selling our home and car in order to go travelling. However I can see on their faces that they all give us a certain respect.

We also had to pay $2.00 per bike for insurance. We say a friendly goodbye and get back on the road. After just a few kilometres in the rain, we experienced our first police stop when a clearly very lonely policeman directed us under the roof of his remote and isolated station. I was expecting him to ask us for a bribe, as we heard that this happens a lot. I could not have been more wrong. We got pulled-in because it was raining, to be offered shelter and a most welcome cup of tea. (see adjacent picture)

We had a chat, took a picture and a few minutes later, when the rain finished, we shook hands (mine received a regal kiss!) and carried on.
 

(War monuments, one of many, in Minsk)

We arrived in Minsk at 7:30 pm. Yet again very late. Minsk welcomed us with it’s wide streets, huge monuments to the second world war, lots of soldiers and grand buildings. Within a few minutes we located a hotel, the first we had seen, we were simply too tired to search for another to compare prices. Our initial plan had been to stay at the campsite which our map showed as being just a few miles north from Minsk. However, When we arrived in the village, the locals informed us that they started to build the camp a few years ago but the project had to be abandoned due to lack of funds.

Our hotel in Minsk cost us $60.00 per night with breakfast. In the morning we set off to explore the town. In the afternoon we ended up in a restaurant by the river, talking to an Englishman and his Russian wife. It was from them we found out that people from Belarus, Russia and surrounding countries like to spend their holidays at the Black sea resorts. Popular destinations are Odessa and the peninsula resort of Krym.

In the light of this local information, our plans for the Ukraine visit have changed dramatically. Instead of just visiting Kiev and heading for Moskow, we have decide to go to the Black Sea and have a week off. I’m really looking forward to laying on a beach and swimmming in the sea. Hurray !!!!

In the evening we visited a local open-air bar. Very nice, with water fountains in the middle of the square beer garden, and a live music. We danced and the band played a few tunes, just for us, after I’ve told them about our journey. It was a great evening. We were sad to leave Minsk the next morning, because we were informed that, over the weekend, many bikers will come. But the decision was not ours this time as our visa for this country has finished and our time has come to move on towards the Ukraine.