Kyiv Boryspil International Airport, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
For this springs trip I planned on going to the former Soviet Republics in the Caucasus, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. I'd done Soviet Republics before, most recently Kazakhstan last September (see separate blog) and like visiting the Soviet Union. I'd been to 8 republics previously (Uzbekistan, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan).
I had a friend that did the capitals in the Caucasus and posted their pics on facebook which looked interesting. Another travel blogger had gone and I was quite impressed by her pictures of places in Georgia. It was at the back of my mind to go one day but not a priority. Then bored one weekend I came across Joanna Lumley's Silk Road tv series where she visited all three countries travelling from Venice to Beijing. Trying to come up with a spring destination I was sold.
I found a cheap flight going on Ukraine International and returning on Turkish Airlines. Normally I check in online and print my boarding cards at the airport. They told me they charge $25 to print the boarding cards. I had to try again on my phone to check in and download the boarding cards. The person at the desk didnt seem that interested or helpful but I was able to finally.
Also they were weighing the hand luggage for the 8kg limit. Going thru security I was putting the stuff in the tray and the handler kept trying to grab and pull my tray when I wasnt finished. I told him I'd give it when I was done then he told me "there was no need to be rude" when he was the one that kept grabbing my belongings when I wasnt finished.
They also asked me which country I was going to so I replied Armenia. They asked which country was that? If you dont know basic geography then dont ask the question!
On board we had tiny pizza box sized seats for our 9 hour flight. I was seated with lots of Ukrainian grandmothers with head shawls. On this very low budget flight we had no personal tvs and they charged for coke. I managed to sleep 4 hours.
youtube vid : Toronto night take off - https://youtu.be/0lvbKqJDQvE
youtube vid : Landing at Kiev Boryspil - https://youtu.be/DfOag7BxnsU
On arrival in Kiev I bought a drink once we went thru customs again and were allowed to have liquids. I had a four hour connection. Upon boarding the hand luggage police were out in full force with tape measures and trying to catch passengers with extra fees.
We boarded the bus and waited on the tarmac with cold winds blowing and doors open for about 10 minutes. Finally they told them in Russian to get off the bus and go back into the terminal.
I didnt know what was going on as nobody had said anything in English. At the gate they said they dont know but to wait. Then we were told our flight was delayed a further 4 hours for technical reasons so we would be leaving at midnight instead of 8pm. This meant I would be arriving at Yerevan at 3am instead of midnight. Luckily they had wifi so I could tell my waiting hotel pickup in Yerevan.
After people complained about the passenger bill of rights which only applies in the EU, by 11pm they brought out water bottles and a small bun for each passenger. When it came time to board the hand luggage police were out in full force even though we had previously already been cleared and boarded the bus to take us to our flight.
I had the back row, the two seats beside me were missing, and the seat did not recline. I didnt care and just slept the entire flight even during take off and remember nothing.
I'd arranged my Armenian visa online for $6 CAD or there were long lines at the airport to the the visa even at 3am, where they charge more in person. I'd brought about $500 CAD with me instead of Euros this time but at the airport they would not accept Canadian Dollars.
My driver took me to the apartment and I'd worry about getting cash tomorrow now that I had finally arrived, 4 hours later, and almost lost my first nights sleep.
crowdywendy
2019-05-15
Wow, a tough start Asif!