Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Transport | RE: ALASKA TO RUSSIA ?

danbrew — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:54:45 GMT

My last post wasn't factitious at all... Go visit www.horizonsunlimited.com. You'll have great success on an enduro (which one?) in Alaska. I wonder, though, whether you'll have the same success in eastern Russia. You can get very remote in Alaska, but you can also plan it right to not be that far from fuel, relatively speaking. I'm not sure the same can be said west of the 170th parallel.

I did Alaska on my BMW GS 1150 Adv a few years ago - it was great. I'm quite looking forward to doing a transsib trip on two (or three) wheels at some point, but there is such limited services in the Russian Far East and they don't at all make it easy to get there from Alaska.

Not impossible - but difficult. Very. I'd love to hear of your success - please do let us know how you plan, etc.

Topic Replies: 20

Transport | RE: ALASKA TO RUSSIA ?

kawaad — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:56:34 GMT

Thanks for the advice, but i think the fun will start east of achorage, when u realy on the wild, challenge is the goal, im planning on enduro bike, which are very reliable, on off road vechiles, but i want to know is there any villages in these areas, and also on the siberia side ,does any one live there? is it possible to find boats for the 50 miles? thx. kay.

Topic Replies: 20

Russian Visa Forum | RE: HIV Free Certificate...

nikir — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:22:24 GMT

That's strange, normally you are only required to undergo a HIV test for a visit exceeding 90 days. If they require one in your case, you will have to provide it . Get back to them and ask for a list of accredited translators.

Topic Replies: 1

Russian Visa Forum | HIV Free Certificate...

Cassanova88 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:15:26 GMT

I am required to take an HIV test according to our Russian embassy here for a Single Entry Business Visa valid for 3 months. I was recommended to one of the accredited hospitals here. But my certificate is only in English. And it says on the net that there should be a Russian translation of it. What should I do??? The embassy recommended this hospital to me but suprisingly they only provide an English version of the certificate.

Topic Replies: 1

Russian Contexts, Myths and Truths | RE: Emigration and immigration stereotypes

Ender — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:33:54 GMT

Absurd wrote:

I'd say more - even Russian is doomed to always be outsider in Moscow. Except special cases like singers, artists, money-bags and such.

I lived in Moscow for about 1.5 year. Neither I felt myself as outsider. nor any of my colleagues.

Topic Replies: 4

Way to Russia Feedback | RE: INTERGROUP Russia

charlesduchesne — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:25:30 GMT

Alexander service was perfect!
Quick answer to the e-mail
A Tracking number for the shipping wich arrive three days after the shipping date (In Canada!!!) and way before my departure date!

Would never hesitate to use or recommend Intergroup.

I know there was bad experiences before but mine was perfect!

Thank you Alexander!

Charles

Topic Replies: 8

Russian Visa Forum | Getting Russian visas in Kyrgyzstan impossible?

jenkinjrj — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:42:38 GMT

Hello, I'm an American I was going to use this site to obtain my LOI, etc for the Russian visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan but I've heard thru travel agencies, travelers here, etc that I need to have a visa from the country I'm applying in for at least 90 days before I can apply for a visa since its not my home country. Is this true? They also tell me that they need original copies of the LOI. Is this also true. I can't get a 90 visa since you can only extend a tourist visa once for a total of 60 days. Thanks, Jeremy Jenkin trying to cycle the world.

Topic Replies: 0

Transport | RE: Kremlin/Armory tickets

BrianR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:54:53 GMT

03franny wrote:

We have Russian neighbors who told me they weren't allowed to tour the Armory.

I tried to see the Armory in early July last year, never managed to get in.

We tried 2 (or 3?) times - each time it was "Armory is closed today. However an official Kremlin guide can get you in for only $xx"

Ended up just doing the regular Kremlin entry and walking around.

Topic Replies: 5

Russian Visa Forum | RE: business visa - extension

overseas_expat — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:53:18 GMT

Russia does not 'extend' visas. You must leave the country before the date of expiration, get a new visa, re-enter Russia. That's it.

Topic Replies: 1

Transport | RE: Kremlin/Armory tickets

overseas_expat — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:43:51 GMT

Bypass the Armory. It is not amazing, it's not even second rate to the Hermitage. The collection is mostly dishes and knicknacks and vases and clocks. Not exciting, not worth the $40 it takes to get in. I believe individuals are not allowed, visitors must be part of a tour group and the stay is limited to a couple of hours. Meh. Really not worth it, nothing breathtaking.

You're going to St. Petersburg anyway, the Hermitage is top of the line, first rate, awesomely amazing. Everything in the Armory can be seen in the Hermitage X 10. Do a couple of days at the Hermitage and give the Armory a miss. Entry for the Hermitage is a lot cheaper too, no tour group necessary.

In Moscow there are better choices:

1) The New Tretakov Gallery. Across from Gorky Park next to the Moscow river. A pretty area. Metro Oktabraskaya. The New Tretakov is in the building Dom Kultury. It houses the finest collection of soviet art on the planet. Four floors of art celebrating the building of the soviet empire. Grand works, huge canvasses, massive collection of 20th century Russian art. One of a kind museum, cheap entry, never anybody there. Astounding collection to be found nowhere else. Outside of Dom Kultury is the park of the Moscow sculpture garden. Acres of sculptures installed permanently outdoors. Absolutely brilliant, some contemporary and some soviet, including the only statue of Stalin I've ever seen, in a sculpture installment that is chilling. Really not to be missed. And on weekends the whole area is a huge art fair with hundreds of artists selling their paintings on the grounds. The Armory is humdrum, the New Tretakov and Dom Kultury grounds are amazing. Middle of town, easy to access.

(Reminder: not to be confused with the Tretakov Gallery, a standard issue art museum in another part of town. It's nice too, but not amazing.)

2) The State Historical Museum #1 Red Square, can't miss it. This is the massive red brick castle that stands at the entrance to Red Square. Not many dishes or vases or other dreary totchkes, but a lot of historical objects not to be found anywhere else in Russia. Medieval suits of Russian armor, early Russian furnishings, early decorative arts, books, lots of wildly interesting stuff. Four floors of the most gorgeous barrel vaulted Russian building you've ever seen all intricately painted with traditional flower motifs. Cheap entry, go on a weekday when there are fewer visitors. If you miss this museum, you've missed the best collection of 1000 years of Russian artifacts in existence.

Really, if you're doing the Hermitage, bow off the Armory. Nye nada.

Topic Replies: 5

Russian Visa Forum | business visa - extension

maria berg — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:34:56 GMT

I do have a business visa for 3 month, 2 entries.
I am already staying in russia and my visa will expire in 1 month.

Is there ANY possibility to extend this visa ?
Can I do that in Novosibirsk or Irkutsk ?

Topic Replies: 1

Russian Visa Forum | ATTN: GoDutch and Kolobed (not sure if i spelled it right)

TahEtiquette — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:45:02 GMT

Not sure if you guys still browse this forum but...

I remember reading about you getting rid of your russian citizenship for traveling. I was wondering, how did everything go?

I'm going to need to be going through the same process and I need any advice you can possibly provide me with on this matter.

GoDutch, it seemed like you were knowledgeable in the kind of documents necessary to denounce russian citizenship, can you list them for me?

Topic Replies: 0

Transport | RE: Kremlin/Armory tickets

danbrew — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:24:23 GMT

Moscow is not really that complicate to do on your own - but a lack of language and the alphabet will hamper you. Guides are good. Search here and online for lots of guide references. I wouldn't pay more than $100/day - and that would be for a top notch guide. You have to determine what you're looking for and then tailor your day around that.

Good luck!

Topic Replies: 5

Transport | RE: Kremlin/Armory tickets

03franny — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:19:58 GMT

Thanks for the tip! I was told it is fabulous. We have Russian neighbors who told me they weren't allowed to tour the Armory. This I thought a bit strange! Our itinerary takes us to St. Petersburg next and half a dozen other cities including Tallinn before getting to my husband's meeting in Sweden.

Any tips on getting around Moscow? We are seriously considering a private tour guide to maximize our time and minimize frustration due to a lack of language facility and limited time. <sigh>

Topic Replies: 5

Transport | RE: ALASKA TO RUSSIA ?

danbrew — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:06:38 GMT

There's absolutely a way... it's called an airplane...!!!!

Visit www.horizonsunilimited.com for real talk on this subject.

Roads are difficult to non-existant in the Russian far east. While a journey such as you suggest is not impossible, it is improbable at the present unless you have a *ton* of cash. Your best bet is to air freight the bike to a moderate sized city in the east from Anchorage and then continue your journey from there. Similar to what folks do to avoid the Darien Gap in Panama - most go right around Columbia due to FARC issues.

Enjoy, good luck, and we'd love to see pictures.

Topic Replies: 20

Transport | RE: Kremlin/Armory tickets

danbrew — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

I can't speak with any authority on whether the Great Kermlin Palace tour includes the Armory, but it looks as if it does not. (http://tours.waytorussia.net/listing/61)

My recommendation is to book it (http://tours.waytorussia.net/index.php?page=contact_listing&company_id=&companyuser_id=&user_id=&listing_id=61) and then ask when you receive confirmation - you can book without payment.

I did the Armory tour a few years ago and it was superb - not to be missed superb.

Once you book the tour above, the WTR folks will forward your booking to the tour operation, from whom you can then ask detailed questions. Sorry it's so kludgy - hopefully an admin here will see this thread and offer his two cents (ah, rubbles).

Enjoy!

Topic Replies: 5

Transport | RE: Looking for advice re my motobike getting into Russia.

danbrew — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:52:10 GMT

Back off topic... I'm gonna make note of you two as I want to one day to a trans-Russian trip on two (or three) wheels.

Topic Replies: 18

Russian Visa Forum | RE: URGENT!! Russian business visa departure date.

danbrew — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:34:54 GMT

The dates for which you plan to travel. If you use August 1st as the start date and don't show up until August 20 (or September or October 20), you'll be just fine. If you use August 1st as the start date, but show up in July, you'll have a problem.

Note that if your dates are August 1 - November 1 and you don't enter until August 15, you can't stay until November 15 - you'll have to leave by November 1st.

Topic Replies: 1

Russian Visa Forum | URGENT!! Russian business visa departure date.

Cassanova88 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:01:30 GMT

I am currently applying for a Russian single entry business visa. It's indicated in my invitation that the start and end dates are August 1, 2008 to November 1, 2008. But I still haven't even passed my documents to the embassy yet. Will it be an issue if I pass my documents for example on August 1, 2008? What are the dates that I should put in my application form? The one on the invitation eventhough it goes beyond the start date, or the actual date that I can go to Russia. Thanks!

Topic Replies: 1

Russian Visa Forum | RE: Day Trip to St Petersburg

Paul Holmes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:22:58 GMT

Personally I like Euroline buses better than the trains, because they are new and modern.
Going to St Petes for day is like going to Disney World for a 1/2 hour, you will feel completely overwhelm with everything you want to see.
Only thing I can say is visit Petergof and you might be able to see the majority of it in a day. Unless you have your Rollerblades, Hermitage will be impossible.
_________________
If it is too good to be true, then it is too good to be true.

Topic Replies: 2

The Rest of Russia | RE: Hotels in Novgorod

Paul Holmes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:18:39 GMT

Volhkov is new (renovated) and clean and right next to all the tourist spots and inexpensive. It is not too far from the train station either.

I have been to Novgorod twice and it is must favorite small Russian city to visit.
_________________
If it is too good to be true, then it is too good to be true.

Topic Replies: 4

The Rest of Russia | RE: Hotels in Novgorod

vox16 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:44:01 GMT

sadko?

http://www.multitour.ru/novgorod/sadko/sadko.aspx
_________________
The giant woodpecker, not encountered in nature, can peck to death a small elephant.

Topic Replies: 4

Transport | RE: ALASKA TO RUSSIA ?

kawaad — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:10:40 GMT

Im thinking of doing it too but on a motorcycle, from florida us to egypt and maybe more, the biggest problem i see so far is the 60 miles water , i dont know how to cross it, but there must be a way.

Topic Replies: 20

Transport | Kremlin/Armory tickets

03franny — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:33:20 GMT

I just joined the discussion and apologize if this naive question has been answered. My husband and I will be traveling to Moscow on September 11th from the US, easy to remember the date. We want to include a visit to the Armory as well as other sites. Is it included in the Kremlin tours and referred to as the "Great Kremlin Palace" or is that another ticket? Can they be purchased in advance? There is a WTR tour for $92 each but I don't know if that particular site is included in the price. Thank you for your response(s).

03franny

Topic Replies: 5

Transport | RE: Looking for advice re my motobike getting into Russia.

dneprider — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:45:01 GMT

replying off topic. No, sadly I missed meeting Sinus. I had emailed him my details if he needed accom etc but before I knew it he had already stayed at a friends house 500km north of me and had left on his ride. Never know, one day we may meet if I can get to Vladistostok for the "Face to Ocean" rally. The Iron Tigers sound like a great bunch.

back to topic, any luck Mr Uralrider?

Topic Replies: 18