Russia

Leaving Wakkanai, Hokkaido for the trip to Sakhalin Island

Entering the port of Korsakan on Sakhalin. Entry was slow due to red tape and much paperwork. The customs computer was down so we had to leave our bikes on the boat over night. The customs broker was very helpful, and the cost about U.S. $ 200.00. It would be much more challenging if we didn`t have a Russian speaker with us.

Had a home stay in Korsakaon in a old Stalinist apartment building. The people are curious and very friendly. It`s quite a change re; neatness from Japan

Met a member of a bike club from the capital of Sakhalin in Korsakov and he invited us to visit them . They were called the `Orphans` and above is their clubhouse. They were incredibly hospitable, and offered us free accomodation

We camped 80 Kms. outside of Yuzhno-Sahalinsk on a lake by the Sea of Okholsk, suggested by the bikers.

Collecting wood for the camping.

Left campsite accompanied by bikers for Kolmsk on the other side of the island to catch the ferry for Vanino and the mainland.

Took about 4 hours of paperwork to get on the ferry, a carry over from Soviet times.

Once on the ferry, we met up with an　analy challanged ferry worker who decided we should lay the bikes on their sides for the crossing and hurry up about it because the ferry was running late. After much firmness on our part we were able to secure the bikes. The first jerk we ran into in Russia.

On the boat, Sophia and her family on their way to Spain for a vacation befriended Simon and Monica. She was teary when we left.

Simon showing some pictures from home.

Port of Vanino. Very busy, shipping out resources

Truckers we met on the ferry invited us to stay at their trucker hostel in the port area for free. The night meal and many toasts of Vodka to the famous Aussie toast of `Up your bum` in heavily accented english. Nice guys!!

The trucker digs.

Gasing up, U.S.$1.00/liter. You have to tell them how many liters you want beforehand.

The road to Khabarovsk started off well. We had about 300 kms. of paved road and 250kms. of some of the roughest road I have ever been on.

Weather is nice. No rain today. Like a fine summer day in Alberta.

Monica on the gravel, dodging the potholes.

Tea break by a river

The worst bridge. You don't want to be driving this road at night, or after a heavy rain!

Simon crossing.

Cain at a break.

Monica`s second wind.

Camping on the Amur River, north of Khabarovsk. Lots of mosquitoes

Stopped for a break north of Khabarovsk, when Sasha, one of the truckers from Vanino came by and stopped for a chat.

Khabarovsk, voted as one of the best places to live in Russia.

New Cathedral. There's been a revival of the Orthordox religion in Russia.

Beautiful people.

Amur river waterfront park.

Lenin Square.

Four Russian eggs