Krasnodar is a Russian city of a million people, or more. That doesn’t even guarantee heard-of ness from common tourists and whackpackers. Indeed I hadn’t even heard of this joint before my trip! It was a pure fire wacaday spot of madness to bung into the final days of my visa free entrance into Russia,…
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“A world in white is underway” – Paul Hewson. First of all thanks to the Russian government’s decision to give all World Cup ticket holders (and therefore FAN ID holders) visa free entry until 31st December 2018. It meant we could all go back for unlimited entries into Russia (any city, by land, by air…)…
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Krasnodar was the final stop for me in 2018, as I used up the final days of my visa free entry, thanks to the Russian government’s inspired decision to allow all football fans UNLIMITED visa free entry until the 31st December 2018. I left on the final day, and from my second cosy hostel in…
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“We’re leaving together, but still it’s farewell and maybe we’ll come back to earth, who can tell?” – Europe. To ensure I got another Russia city swallowed into my backpack before my visa free stay ended, I headed to the southern city of Krasnodar, where I would stay until the final day of the Russian…
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“What to believe in it’s impossible to say”- Suede. When I arrived in settlement 950, Saint Petersburg in November 2018 I had no idea what lay in store. I thought perhaps another Bangkok style city, in other words over hyped, over visited, cleanliness horrible and well over rated. In advance, everyone told me Saint Petersburg…
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“Bells around Saint Petersburg when I saw you, I hope I get what you deserve and this is where I find. Smoke surrounds your perfect face and I’m falling” – Red Hot Chili Peppers. Firstly – thanks to the Russian government for their incredible kindness and respect with regards their recent visa laws. I knew…
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There are always a few tough beasts to crack in the visa world as we backpack it hardcore. Russia is a tough enough one to get, and with the 2018 World Cup looming, many more people will be heading there come June. I have been to Russia years ago (2007) as well as two transits…
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“Damn my education, I can’t find the words to say for all the things caught in my mind” – Noel Gallagher. This was a magical place – Kaliningrad. Another travel dream of mine and another chance to add another ex-Soviet Union country or region to my growing repertoire. Also, this marked the end of my…
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Crossing world borders still has intrigue for me. It’s the adrenalin buzz and excitement of it all. As a Northern Irish nationalist, I love separatism and I detest land borders like Belgium to Netherlands. Where basically you have no idea which country you are in – you even use the same currency and don’t get…
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“You’re turning every modern theory on its head” – Gruff Rhys. Things are always a bit wacky with me. A little bit left of the middle, a bit obscure and a tad crazy. I just don’t buy any concept of normal because life is too short for silly billy rules. So when I heard about…
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