Odessa - Getting there

Getting to Odessa is easier than you think. Especially from Ålesund. A short direct flight from Ålesund to Vilnius with Wizz Airlines takes only two small hours. You may even take the Air Baltic to Riga and then further to Vilnius, almost as effective. There is a lot of options going to Moscow, but then it is possible you have to spend the night there. Kiev also worth a shot. In total I paid 500 Euro for a return ticket, Ålesund-Odessa, not bad at all.

From Vilnius there is a direct plane to Odessa Ukraine. I waited only three hours before I was in the air again. A nice new Boeing. Ukrainian Airlines seems to have renewed their airfleet.

After 80 minutes we prepared for landing. Suddenly there were flashes all around us. We went from landing to steep steep getaway! It felt like hours. I imagined there was a fire in one of the engines since there was so much light on the right side wing. Flashes everywhere. I told the lady next to me that planes were build for this. She fulfilled her third Ave Maria.

The plane stabilised at a much higher airspace. We tried again, this time everything was fine until we landed. Such a hard landing. It felt like the airplane would break in two pieces. But it did not. I prepared myself for the taxi routine.

Before going to a new country I always google what will meet me at the airport. Not the passport control, but the taxi drivers and the way they cheat tourists. It has worked ever since, and this was not an exception. For the public, 150 hryvnia should be enough for the 20 minute trip to the center of Odessa. I always give a bit more, so they think they have won the battle. 200 was my offer. The wanted 400. I walked away, and as usual, the price was suddenly fair. Approximately 8 Euros. Later I met a norwegian who paid 750 hryvnia. Google!!

The blizzard had an outcome. The streets were full of water an almost non-driveable. I guess we used 10 minutes longer and I gave the driver 100 hryvnia in tip. Good service but hopeless as a guide and communicator. I feared this was the standard of english spoken in Odessa.

Gagarinn, my hotel was impressive. Even better than the photos. A suite for 50 Euro a night, 100 meter from Arkadia, wow! An open internet, no password. Clean, big, new and a proper minibar with Tuborg! Vacation is on!