Wednesday 12 September 2012

Russia Day five

This morning we left the motel and rode the 17 miles to the Wolfs Lair near Ketsyrn.
On arrival paid the 20 zl to get in then spent 90 mins walking around the site with an English guide book. The ruins of the bunker complex are in woods which camouflaged then during the war. In 1945 they were blown up on Hilters orders to stop them falling in Russian hands. All are destroyed but some bunkers have single sides intact. Saw the ruins of Hilter, Gobbels and Boormans bunkers. Saw what little remains of the conference room where Hilter was blown up.
Following this we slowly made our way to the Polish/Russian border. Stopped and bought Russian insurance (22€).
Went through Polish controls and they were concerned we didn't have Russian visas in our passports. However the let us exit the EU.
At the Russian controls we were pulled out of line and asked if had visas, no came the reply and were told to wait, a short time later a lady from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived with all of our paper work we mailed and put visas in our passport. We were then taken to the front of the queue. Quick search of panniers and passport stamped onto customs where we had to import the bikes to Russia temporally. 90 minutes and we were free of controls.
Didn't realise we were 2 hours ahead in Russia. Rode into Kaliningrad passed the Russian traffic police with a speed camera, didn't stop us only because they were busy hassling another person.
Managed to find the hotel in the suburbs of the city quite quickly. Very impressed, clean, cheap (£20 each per night), modern, free wifi.
Had a quick shower and then out to find cash and food. Cash machine served up 3000 roubles about £60.. Got beer from the supermarket 80p can.
Had a pizza delivered to the room which was good and then managed to find the England v Ukraine on telly. Russian commentary.
Bed a midnight 10pm your time.

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