Today was my first full day in Kiev. Again I woke at 2am but slept again from 4am-9am. I checked out of Hotel Dnipro by 10am and walked back to Maidan Square to drop my bags at Hotel Ukraine where I will be staying for the next five nights. 

 
 

Passing thru Maidan Square I went down the street to the right towards St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery. The street leading behind this is Andriivskiy Descent. As it was still early many of the street vendors were still setting up. 

There was a staircase to climb for a view of the city and churches but it was a bit of a waste and not as described. The side facing back was fenced off for some reason so no views of the domes. 

 
 






























 
St Andrew's Church was the striking monument but is closed for restoration work unfortunately. Also there were several posters protesting Eurovision but not sure what they were referring to about possible dissidents or people in jail?

 
 































 
I returned back to St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery. The interior had darkened art with lots of gold. The exterior was also striking architecture. 

 
 

  
The approach connecting St Michael's to St Sophia's was very touristy lined with vendors. Their were vendors cooking their grilled meats so I got a baklava and cheese bread for 90 UH ($4.50) a bit more expensive in the touristy zone. 

 
 

Entry to St Sophia was 80 UH ($4) so I decided to skip as the other churches were free. I then headed down Volodymyrska St towards the Golden Gate. Entrance was 40 UH ($2) and had a higher priced combo ticket option to other places. 

 
 






























 
I had wanted to buy the KievCityCard online before my trip but the site wouldnt let me purchase it online for some reason. I didnt see places where it was being sold even though it said online you could. 

 
 

There was not much to see inside the Golden Gate. Nearby was the Opera House. I tried to ask in a tourist info booth about the Kiev Card but she spoke no english, didnt know what it was, and just handed me free maps. 

 
 




























 

A short walk away was the yellow faced St Volodymyr's Cathedral. This was another darkened interior with lots of mural art.   

 
 

Walking back to Maidan I went along Khreschatyk St the main shopping street. I went to Bessarabia market but there wasnt much to see in the indoor market. Some light rain also started.  

 
 





























 


 
I went back to Hotel Ukraine where I was finally able to check in. It was a nice suite room but facing the opposite side not Maidan. I had tried asking them by email to switch my room but they kept responding that my room did not face Maidan. I knew that, can I pay more to swtich my room? 

They kept responding your room does not face Maidan so I gave up. There was a nice span of Maidan from the elevator hallway windows

 
 




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