Way to Russia Talk Lounge

drbyte · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:07 am Post subject: traveling in Rusia

I hope to travel trough Russia from east to west next year by 4 wheel drive but find that I cant read the words on the maps or sign post, how do I do this.
Do I have to study this before I leave
I am open for suggestions I would like to be prepared for this before I go.

nikir · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:03 am Post subject:

At the very least you should learn the cyrillic alphbet and write the names of the towns in english and russian so you can equate them. A smattering of useful phrases would not hurt either as you will find lots of places on this trip where no one speaks english and if you get stuck you will be really stuck. But it's all good fun and outside Moscow the people are generally really friendly and helpful. Smile

DITTRICH · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 12:49 pm Post subject:

What are the chances that a high percentage of the siberian population speaks english (or australian for that matter Wink

) ? Well there's your answer isn't it. If you can afford to travel, a basic language text book isn't going to bankrupt you. As said before, learn the alphabet and as much as possible beyond that before you go. People always think the lamguage bit isn't important - but it is - especially if things don't go according to plan. A bit harsh maybe, but if your car breaks down in siberia, you'll need all the russian language skills you can get.
Rgds
Les

cepera · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 11

danbrew · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:22 am Post subject:

As a biker and huge RTW enthusiast, the Long Way Round isn't the best reference. Those guys were movie stars and had a large contingent to help them out with language & cultural issues. Somebody doing a round the world or trans-siberian on their own won't have the same resources.

Best to become proficient with the cyrillic alphabet and learn a few phrases...[/code]

MoscowCabMan · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject:

being the local resident I'd say don't do it. There is no complete road that would connect Vladivostok and Moscow meaning that in the parts where there is no road - there would be no help. However, if you are really set on doing this, I'd suggest trying to find someone in Vladivostok who drives used Japanese cars to the western part of the country on regular basis and try to combine your trip with his. Such a person would know the road and all the pecularities.

nikir · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject:

I would say do it anyway. We have worse roads, the Australian outback is far more dangerous because of its isolation and treacherous conditions.

Be aware however that you are a guest in someone els's country and as such you have to dig yourself out of whatever holes (be it in your 4WD or otherwise)you fall into. On your kind of trip this can be sudden and unexpected. Just be prepared that you will come across situations where no one will speak your native tongue. This can be fun or it can be catasrophic. You find out when it happens.

Give the locals some respect by learning at least a bit of the language and get familiar with the cyrillic alphabet. It will get you a long way

drbyte · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject: Cant speak russian

Thankyou all who replied, I have bought the vidio the long way around
and found the trip by them guys on the bike interesting and have taken notes, I have been in the desert in Australia for 10 years so I do not find that a problem I can also repair most things and improvise
I would like to thankyou all for the information that you supplied

Thanks DrByte

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Cant speak russian

Voyager · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 2:03 am Post subject:

I did the road trip from Vaalimar (border with Finland) to Vladivostok (and we did it in a Toyota Celica), and yes the roads are harsh , snow tyres are a must , but the fact that you have some mechanical skill is a big plus , as regards the map , what we did was to have two maps , one in English to plan the route , and one in Russian to compare with road signs (which are few and far between) there are many junctions where you will simple have to take a guess and hope for the best

drbyte · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject:

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:56 pm Post subject:

Stanfords, Covent Garden, London, UK now have a better selection of Russian Maps. You could MO them from the UK - expensive but useful. A 'road map' covering whole of Russia and some of the Oblast Maps for eastern siberia. I would suggestion Primorski/Khabarovski Krai and Amurskaya/Chitinskaya Oblasts. The 2nd 2 where having a better map will make the difference. They are in Russian. Cost £10 each / roadatlas £22 ish before shipping. There is a website online ordering for stanfords.
Les

drbyte · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:28 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the information I got from you all
Still have to do some shopping for some goodies.
I hope to leave next year, so keep a look out for a Ford F250 truck 4 wheel drive white in color, I still have to fit the sleeping cabin on the back and a 100 Gallon fuell tank the trip will take about one and a half years
traveling Australia to asia, egypt, sweden, france, england, Holland, rusia via the road of bones to Magadan, Alaska, Vancouver, newyork, Ohmaha, Maxico, then back to Australia

All of you all the best in your travels

Cheers Dr Byte
Perth West Australia

Sparks · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:01 am Post subject:

Interesting, but I read the Road of Bones to Magadan is problematic to the point of transit being impossible due to lack of bridges.

Most importantly, do you have knowledge of a ferry that goes from there to Alaska?

Rust · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:46 am Post subject: traveling in Rusia

O Gods!!! It will be very nice unforgettable trip!!!! Don't hear them! It's my hobby(Vladivostok - Moscow by car). Please guys - don't imagine our roads like the hell! For exemple, under Krasnoyarsk the federal road much much better than in Moscow region. Very nice road from Novosibirsk to Omsk. Why do you need GPS so sharply - from Vladivostok till Chita only one federel road. At first I'm afraid but later I understood anyway Ill be on the federal road. You will see the permanent cars flow with transit numbers moving from Vladivostok. They have to help each other - its unwritten low, and if you will ask your destination(for example Moscow)they every moment show you or take you with them if you want. I could give you some advice how make this trip more safe if you are still need it. It is too lazy describe that without whom I can impart knowledge to O Gods!!! It will be very nice unforgettable trip!!!! It's my hobby(Vladivostok - Moscow by car). Please guys - don't imagine our roads like the hell! For exemple, under Krasnoyarsk the federal road much much better than in Moscow region. Very nice road from Novosibirsk to Omsk. Why do you need GPS so sharply - from Vladivostok till Chita only one federel road. At first I'm afraid but later I understood anyway Ill be on the federal road. You will see the permanent cars flow with transit numbers moving from Vladivostok. They have to help each other - its unwritten low, and if you will ask your destination(for example Moscow)they every moment show you or take you with them if you want. I could give you some advice how make this trip more safe if you are still need it. It is too lazy describe that without whom I can impart knowledge to