Suzdal, Kazan & Samara
Posted by admin | Posted on 19-07-2010 | 2Leaving Suzdal
After leaving Suzdal, destination Kazan where Layla (Moscovite biker) came from. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and sweltering hot once again. Some parts of the road were very rough and patchy with lots of roadwork being done everywhere. Other times the road was smooth, paved and roller coaster like going up and down as we were heading in the direction of Kazan. We will not being making Kazan this night as the distance was too far so we would be looking for a hotel somewhere midway. Since Leo has joined us we have been extremely well organized not only as our driver but he and Carmen plan the daily menu while driving prior to shopping at huge shopping malls.
The beautifal Suzdal
We stayed at an unknown hotel only to find that there was no air conditioning and in ordering dinner, the waitress seemed to only understand goulash and shishtek and clek (bread). A fellow who was studying at Moscow university brought in salted fish for everyone to try with their beer (this is a specialty). It’s like having peanuts with your beer. Carmen and Jacquie went to leave the restaurant when a station wagon stopped and asked “you working girls” wanting to know if we were prostitutes. We could only respond, “English! English!” and he ended up driving off. We went next door to the fish market where they had everything from catfish to salmon (freshly smoked) and once again we were being propositioned with free fish. What services were to be provided, we will never know. After a walk around the small village, we all retired early as we were leaving early for Kazan.
Kazan
Inside the Kazan Kremlin
Leaving for Kazan was a refreshing beginning to the day as it was the first day where the temperatures dropped and the cool breeze would make for pleasant riding. We still were enjoying relatively decent road conditions however there was more roadwork being done as we proceeded southwest towards Kazan. The ride was pretty much the same as previous (highways)but noticed the difference in road conditions (deterioration) that was beginning to happen. Arriving in Kazan we observed a lovely walled Mosque which we toured and were told was their Kremlin (one of the nicest on this trip). Everyone explored the Kremlin and then met for dinner at a pub style restaurant where some ordered salmon, salads, calamari and beef. Once again, early to bed as it would be a full day of riding to Samara as opposed to the half day that it took us to Kazan.
Samara
Coffee stop
Off to Samara. We left at exactly 8:04 am for a 8 o’clock departure (one of the closest on schedule departure times we’ve had so far). We had several stops trying to get out of the city as it was not only dodging chaotic traffic but the roads conditions that were severe in nature with huge potholes as well as contending with railway tracks that jutted out of the cement making it difficult to cross. Yet, we all maneuvered unscathed. We had our morning coffee at a small restaurant where the local people came out to see and support our group. Many gave us the “thumbs up” sign when we told them our destination was Magadan. We continued on back rolling roads which were smooth and winding throughout harvested fields when all of a sudden the road conditions changed and it became grooved from heavy weighted trucks indenting the paved road making it hazardous to us riders. It also was heavily potholed with lots of gravel patches which made us slow down to approx 45 km/hr. or less. We had a picnic lunch that was shared with the bees and the wasps. Our lunch was some wonderful sandwiches made with homemade bread, salads, deserts, juices that are better than what we would make at home. Continuing on, we had our afternoon coffee break not drinking coffee but eating watermelon that was from the local farmer’s market at Kazan. We had approx. another 50km and we were in Samara arriving at approx 5:30 pm. Samara is the home of the MIG fighter plane which had monuments scattered throughout the city. We enjoyed dinner by the beach and the jazz band that played in the square by our hotel. Today has been a rest day and everyone has been getting their bikes serviced for Kazakhstan (the gravel and sand that we would now be riding on). Some also got laundry done while others slept, went shopping or blogged. From this point forward we will be going to more remote places where internet service may not be present so please be patient as we will try to update as often as we can.
Posted by Jacquie
Pat and a bit of off-roading
Isaac
Joe
great reading, love the detail, wish i was there, say g’day to murray
I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the blogs. Jacquie, you write a good story, so descriptive, almost makes me want to go there. Not on a bike though. How are you holding up Murray (my brother -in- law)? Stay safe. Marg.