Going to Kiev

We took a train from Moscow to Kiev. It was an all night ride, but it was fun.So, getting to Kiev was very simple and very comfortable, especially with the ability to sleep the whole night. As most locals do, I packed plenty of sandwiches and munchies for the trip so there was no need to trek through the whole train to get to the dining car. Coffee, tea and water were provided by our attendants.

Getting ready to board the train

The cabin before making the bed. It has room for four beds- two up and two down

The hallway in front of the cabins

The two beds on the lower seats.

As soon as we arrived to Kiev we took a taxi to our hotel. I am glad we did because we would have never found the place, even the taxi driver had trouble locating it. He had to stop on the way to ask other taxi drivers for directions and at that point we got a little concerned, too, but eventually we arrived - and what a surprise! Our hotel was a floating barge, or maybe a heavily remodeled boat, right on the Dneper River! It was awesome! Inside was just as great - water views from all the rooms and, towel warmers, huge bathtub, robes, slippers, in a really great and clean room. The hallways were decorated with the pictures of all the famous people who stayed in the hotel and that made me feel even more special.

Pearl on the Dneper Hotel

 Our towels with slippers. The robes waited for us in the bathroom.

View of the hotel from the bridge heading to Kiev. There was a nudist beach right on the other side of the river, but it was still early in the season for bathing. There were only a few people fishing.

The only disadvantage of this hotel was that it was far from the metro stations. We had to use taxis a few times, but it was all worth it, I would stay in this hotel again.

View of the hotel from Kiev side.

The building with the half circle windows to the left is a huge modern church under construction.  I wanted to visit it but there was not much time, and there was another excitement ahead.