There has been so much disturbing news lately about the Ukraine, that it started me thinking of all the good memories that I have. A few years ago, we started our adventure by touring a few cities, enjoyed a river cruise and ended up in Crimea.
After arriving in Kiev, the capital and largest city in the Ukraine, we spent 3 days exploring. We found it to be a charming city with splendid parks and graceful bridges over the Dniepher River. The buildings included the fantastic St. Sophia Cathedral and the Pecherskaya Lavra (most holiest) Monastery with it's golden domed churches. We discovered a city full of churches and cathedrals. We strolled along Kreshchatik Street's picturesque shopping area, Kiev's best shops and restaurants. We had a lovely time in a lovely city, that is having much unrest now.
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Funicular to main part of the city At the top of St. Andrew's Descent 
St. Andrew's Cathedral
 Holy Trinity Church 
Dome of the Church of Valodymyr
St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Sophia Cathedral
Music in St. Sophia Square
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Silk scarf shopping
The next thing on our agenda, was boarding the General Vatutin for a cruise down the Dneiper River to Odessa, with some interesting stops along the way. After the Captain's cocktail party, it was time to say good-bye to the lovely city of Kiev.
Ready to go cruising!
Lights of Kiev
We arrived at the small city of Zaporozhye on the Dnieper River. The town, full of historic monuments, was founded in 1770. It is home to the Zapro Cossacks Museum. We were fortunate to attend a show in their special arena where the Zaporizhia Cossacks showed off their trained horses and demonstrated skills of handling firearms and swords. After the show, we toured the museum and were served "Kulish"(goulash cooked in clay jugs with Ukrainian vodka and wine)! It was a fun afternoon in "Z" Town.
Beautiful sweaters for sale in the market (had to have one!)
Wooden honey pots (had to have one!)
The Zaporizhia Cossacks
Equestrian Show
Young Cossack is proud of his trained horses
Showing their riding skills
Head Cossack
Music in the museum
Music while serving us "Kulish"
Perfect ending to a perfect day in "Z" Town
Our next stop was Odessa, the largest port on the Black Sea. I enjoyed Odessa with it's Opera House and many large and interesting buildings. The city was very clean and filled with wedding ceremonies on weekends.
Potemkin Steps
Port of Odessa from the top of the steps
Pymcorsky Bulver (blvd.)
Odessa City Hall
Opera House
Monument of the Unknown Soldier
Historic buildings
Art in the park
Flower sellers in the park
Sevastopol was founded in the 18th century as a fortress. It is located in the southwest of the Crimean Peninsula. It may become a war zone any time now, but I like to remember the amazing things that we saw there a few years ago. The Black Sea Fleet Band welcomed our ship at the port and we continued to be welcomed where ever we went. We visited The Livadia Palace where the Yalta Conference was held in 1945. It was like walking through history as we were in the footsteps of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin! Yalta is a well known resort area on the "Crimean Riviera". After exploring this area, steeped in history, we visited Bakhchisaray, a Tartar Village. A line of vendor's kiosks made sure we had all the baklava and other goodies! The little village was filled with Mosques, fountains, prayer rugs, an old palace and lots of people wanting their pictures taken...for free! This was a very interesting and educational stop.
The Black Sea Fleet Band to welcome our ship
A very huge market
Oldest building in Sevastopol
Sevastopol Cathedral
Livadia Palace
Meeting Room
Yalta Conference
Yalta Town Square
Yalta Promenade
A very "yummy" welcome to Bakhchisaray
Vendor's Kiosks
Entry to the Mosque
Back on the Dnieper River, we stopped at a "sweet" little village, where everyone wanted to sell something, from flowers, photos, furs to moonshine and pickles!
Little Village
Furs for sale
Photos for sale
Addresses for sale
Flowers for sale
Moonshine & Pickles for sale!
We had a wonderful trip and I truly hope and pray that whatever happens will benefit the wonderful people of the Ukraine.
