Russia - Vodka makes it better

In the morning after arranging with Vladimir, the owner, at 10am to get petrol and rubles at his very modern garage (don’t ask how he got money!) we set off and returned to the bumpy M18. The bend-less road did little to distract us from the potholes and appalling road conditions, we shook us to the core before we finally arrived in Petrozavodsk.

Petrozavodsk city was a surprise to us as it was much, much bigger than we had expected. Despite this, we finally found the hotel that the Lonely Planet guide book had recommended, but with no rooms available we had no choice but to keep lookingl!

It had been another long tiring day of riding, with lots of rain, and unbearably muggy. Too be honest, the last thing we wanted to do was try to find a hotel room. The lady at reception explained that the city was very busy, and all hotels in the centre were full!

She rang a few numbers and confirmed – ” no, all are full”.

"Aaggh....!" We stood there and must have looked so forlorn that she made some more calls, a few minutes later we were told us that if we could wait, there would be a room made ready.

We had no problem in waiting especially when we heard that the room and secure parking was going to be £9. The room was little more than basic and we had to share a municipal bathroom with the whole floor but it was cheep and clean and only for one night.

We wandered the town for a little while trying to find the restaurants that the Lonely Planets book had recommended but to no avail, so ended up in the "Petrovsky Restaurant" and had a really wonderful traditional Russian meal with vodka!.

The restaurant It offered traditional Karelian fare. We both left full for only £10 for the both of us. The funny thing is that the lonely planet said this restaurant was creepy. Ha what do they know, we thought it was great!