Odessa Hot News

[altiva]

WARNING - a case of two giant runaway feet in Odessa

 

Please, be careful.

If stumbled upon or stumped with, may be lethal.

Reward if you notify the rightful owner of the feet whereabouts.

 

 

[altiva]

Aida Aura in Odessa August 1 2011

What a magnificent vessel, it's taller than Sea port building!

AIDAaura was born in Wismar, Germany, the third ship operated by the German cruise line AIDA Cruises.

 

 

 

 

More photos here:

 

http://odessainterpreters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=16&page=5

 

Gross Tonnage: 42,289

Length: 202.8 m 665.3 ft

Beam: 28.1 m 92.2 ft

Draft: 6.3 m 20.7 ft

Cabins: 633

Passengers: 1,266 lower 1,582 max

Passenger to Space Ratio: 26.73

Crew: 418

Crew to Passenger Ratio: 1:3.8

[fisheswithbears]

Sad news from Odessa Ukraine

 

There is a funicular in Odessa, Ukraine, near Potyomkin stairs. It

allowed you to ride up, instead of climbing all of the 192 stairs!

But, since May 2011, it is closed!

During it existence, it was closed only three times before: during

the war in 1919, during the WW2 in 1941, and in 1965, when an

escalator was built on its place. Now is the fourth time! The city

authorities said it's closed due to lack of money. 1 million

hryvnias is needed to keep it going, since it's free. But, the city

budget has it not. So, when it broke down, it was simply closed.

Alas, if you want to visit Odessa, you will have now to go

upstairs... Then, doctors say that walking up the stairs is good for

your heart.

Hello Altiva,

Your thread is a great find, my husband and I will be in Odessa on Sept 9, 2011, on the Pacific Princess. Your pictures and information have made us very eager to see the area.

I have a question about the Potyomkin Stairs. Will it be possible to get a taxi after leaving our ship, before climbing the stairs? My husband does not climb stairs well and we had planned to take a taxi to see the sights around the city.

One other question, if you don't mind: Where is the fortress you show in your pictures? Are there tours available?

Thank you for all your time and hard work posting this thread!

[altiva]

Hello Altiva,

Your thread is a great find, my husband and I will be in Odessa on Sept 9, 2011, on the Pacific Princess. Your pictures and information have made us very eager to see the area.

I have a question about the Potyomkin Stairs. Will it be possible to get a taxi after leaving our ship, before climbing the stairs? My husband does not climb stairs well and we had planned to take a taxi to see the sights around the city.

One other question, if you don't mind: Where is the fortress you show in your pictures? Are there tours available?

Thank you for all your time and hard work posting this thread!

 

Hello fisheswithbears,

welcome and enjoy your trip!

You can get a taxi near pier N 15. Unfortunately, you won't be able to

ride around in the taxi and look at the views, because most of them

are in the pedestrian only area. You can ask your taxi driver to take

you to the upper side of Potyomkin stairs, and from there, you can

walk. These taxis, they will charge you more than regular taxis, be

ready for this. Their prices are higher because they pay to stay

inside the Sea port area and so on.

Alternatively, you can walk a little down to the road and take public

transport. It costs 2.50 hryvnya per person, it's about 35 US cents.

It won't go to the pedestrian area either, but will depose of you 4

blocks from the main street, again, you can walk, but on the level

ground, and the architecture there is very distinguished, and you will

see the Central Synagogue. If you take a mini cab, you will find

yourself near this building:

 

 

You can download a walking guide in pdf here, make sure you have Adobe

Reader X at least, to read it.

http://odessainterpreters.com/walking.pdf

Tell me if you would like to take a mini-cab, and I will tell you more.

Belgorod fortress is in Odessa region, but unfortunately, it's about

85 kilometers away from Odessa, about 53 miles. If you are not staying

overnight, you can do it in one day, but will be too tired in the

evening.

[altiva]

"Cuauhtemoc" at night, Odessa sea port Ukraine

 

[altiva]

International Cats Exhibition

 

Odessa Sea Port

 

August 27-28 2011

 

Best in show the first and the second day!

There will be: competitions, show, rings, surprises!

International panel of judges:

Antonello Bardella WCF/ All Breed (Italy)

Galina Tsaryova WCF/ All Breed (Ukraine)

Artem Savin / All Breed, non-WCF (Russia)

 

Also:

presentation of the breeders.

One-breed shows, WCF ring kitten, adult, premior!!!

Entertainments for children (clowns and competitions).

And much more.

Ticket prices:

Adult - 25 hryvnya (about 3.10 US)

Child - 10 hryvnya (about 1.50 US)

It's in the sea port building.

 

What: International Cats Exhibition

When: August 27-28 2011

Where: Odessa sea port building

[fisheswithbears]

Thank you, Altiva, We may take a mini-cab to the pedestrian area to see the sights and shops in that area. In your photos we saw a rickshaw and also a horse and carriage. Is it possible to rent these for short tours of the area? Will we need to carry the local currency with us?

 

We are also interested in the Archeological Museum. Good thing our ship is in port all day!:)

[altiva]

hi fisheswithbears,

I will port the mini-cab guide later.

The horse with carriage and the rickshaw are on the top of Potyomkin stairs. You can

hire them, of course. But first, you will have to get to the top!

For currency, you will find currency exchange in the sea port

building. It will be a tad lower than in the city, they are making

money off tourists. I heard people mention that they changed 50 US

dollars at the beginning of their trip and had some hryvnyas left when they were leaving for home.

You can pay with credit cards in shops, restaurants and malls, for

street vendors and souvenirs you will have to have Ukrainian cash.

Notify your bank that you will be using your card abroad, or they may

think that it was stolen and freeze it (such things happened)

Archeological museum - some people did not like, because the first

rooms are dedicated to showing who lived in this area - Scythian,

Slavs, Greeks, and so on, and are mostly show cases. It's

interesting for people who are fond of history, and who know

something about this area. In the Egyptian room you can see real

Egyptian mummies, donated to the museum by rich merchants before

1917.

Ask them to show you Golden room - it's the place where they keep

authentic golden things made by Slavs and ancient golden coins - many

people miss this one.

Here is the link to the museum web site in English:

http://www.archaeology.odessa.ua/english/index.html

[altiva]

Youth public action "Do not forget heroic deeds"

 

Sea port area. Flash mob and concert. The main goal is to remind

people about August 5, when **** army began besieging Odessa (WW2).

Participants will be posted to create a slogan "Odessa is a

city-hero".

There will be from 350 to 500 participants.

Besides, there will be prizes and surprises from sponsors of this

event.

 

What: Youth public action "Do not forget heroic deeds"

Where: Odessa Sea port

When: August 5 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

[altiva]

Salsa in Elvis! Odessa Ukraine

This is a place where they dance all kind of salsa, have fun, drink cocktails and meet friends-salseros, guests and just nice people! They are waiting for you, too!

Discount on all sushi - 30 per cent!

Cuba Libre - 30 hryvnyas (about 3.4 US dollars)

Entrance - FREE!!!

DJ Frunzee.

 

What: salsa evening

Where: Odessa centre, 50 Troitskaya str, restaurant Elvis

When: August 9 2011, 9 p.m.

[altiva]

Ferris Wheel in Odessa Ukraine

 

A Ferris Wheel was installed in park Shevchenko, Odessa Ukraine.

It is 45 meters (147.63 feet), and it's the highest in Ukraine.

It was made in Switzerland and a Swiss company assembled it, so it must be super safe!

Odessa mayor tried it, and said it was OK to ride!

You can see the sea port and a lot of Odessa centre, churches and

buildings from it.

Fee:

one ticket for an adult person - 50 hryvnyas (about 6.25 US dollars)

For a child - 25 hryvnyas (about 3.1 US dollars).

Three rounds plus a bonus - one minute stop at the top.

 

What: Ferris Wheel

Where: 1 Uspenskaya street, park Shevchenko, Odessa Ukraine

When: day and night.

 

Ferris Wheel:

 

 

Views from the wheel, Odessa, churches, sea port:

 

 

 

 

More photos are here:

 

http://odessainterpreters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=21

[altiva]

Festival of embroidery in Odessa Ukraine

 

Dedicated to the Independence Day (August 23).

This year, Ukraine celebrates its 20th year of independence.

Ukrainian people, creative and imaginative, always loved beautiful things, so from the earliest days of existence, they covered their clothes and accessories in embroidery, which is an important part of a traditional clothing, too. They can be real objets d'art. That is why, when the slogan of this year celebration was selected "Celebrate the independence like an adult", yet another Embroidery festival was organised.

The festival is an open air event, starting on August 22 and ending on August 24, on Primorski boulevard and Potyomkin stairs.

It starts every day at 8 a.m. and lasts till twilight.

What to expect:

open classes - embroidery (vyshyvankis, vtytynanka (a sort of origami, only Ukrainian one, when paper, wood and plants are used), making wreaths ( a wreath is a part of a national costume), beads, making dolls-charms, making fenechkas (Ukrainian bracelets), paining on glass and stones, pottery and forging.

You can try it all, too, for yourself!

Entertainments:

1. Cossacks' fun.

2. Photosessions.

3. The best embroidery (vyshyvanka) competition.

4. Body-art.

5. Manicures.

6. Free blue-and-yellow balloons and ribbons (blue and yellow are

national Ukrainian colours, blue for it's deep beautiful blue sky,

and yellow for it's beautiful yellow fields with grain).

7. Songs.

8. Dancing.

9. Competitive eating - vareniki.

And much more!

The most spectacular event - raising of 20 meters long (65.6 feet) national Ukrainian flag over Potyomkin stairs, and a live embroidery chain, which will stretch from the statue of Duke to the seaside!

If you are these days in Odessa, do not miss!

 

What: Festival of embroidery in Odessa Ukraine

When: August 22-24, from 8 a.m. to the nightfall

Where: Primorsky boulevard and Potyomkin stairs, Odessa Ukraine.

[altiva]

Amerigo Vespucci is arriving to Odessa Ukraine!

 

The Amerigo Vespucci is a tall ship of the Marina Militare, named

after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Its home port is Livorno, Italy,

it is used as a training ship for cadets of Italian Accademia Navale.

The vessel, which is inspired by the style of large 18th century

cannon ships of the line, has no mechanical devices whatsoever,

everything is done by hand.

The only modern touch is the desalination device, to convert sea

water into fresh water.

This vessel is arriving to Odessa on August 18 at 7 a.m.

It will be opened to public:

August 18 - 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

August 19 - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

August 20 - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

August 21 - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

August 22 - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

This magnificent sailing vessel is a must see.

 

What: Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian sailing vessel

Where: Odessa sea port.

When: August 18 - August 22

[altiva]

Apple Spas (Yabluchnyi Spas, Transfiguration of Christ) in Odessa

Ukraine

 

Celebrated on August 19. Church dedicates this holiday to the moment

of Christ, showing his shining face and white, glowing clothing to

Peter, John and Jacob, on the mount Tabor. But, in fact, Christianity

simply absorbed an ancient holiday, called Obzhinky (Reaping), when

people collected the harvest and then dedicated one sheaf of wheat to

Volokh, an ancient Ukrainian god.

Traditionally, people did not eat apples till this date.

Church started blessing and concentrating apples, ears of wheat,

flowers, poppies (dry heads).

It's the day when people remember their dead.

The main holiday dishes on this day are shuliki, apples, baked

apples, apple pies, honey, honey

in combs.

Shuliki: bake a thin lean cake. In a noggin (makitra, a vessel for

food, made from clay), squash poppy seeds, adding little water, until

the seeds produce "milk". Add more water, honey and crumble your

thin cake into it. Make the crumbs large, about half a match box,

something like this. Eat with a big wooden spoon. It sounds strange,

but tastes very yummy.

 

 

 

 

 

More photos are here:

http://odessainterpreters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=22

[altiva]

Happy news from Odessa Ukraine

 

Happy news - as per three hours ago, funicular on Potyomkin stairs is

working again!

No need to climb all the 192 stairs!

Note, too, that there are a lot of people, who think the same, so

there is a line and the funicular itself is crowded.

For now, it's free to use, but city plans to start charging for it,

since its low budget does not allow free things.

[altiva]

Odessa Currency Exchange

 

For people, who are worried about the currency exchange: there is one

inside of the Odessa sea port terminal. If you follow "Exit to the

city" arrow from the dock, you will come to it directly. The exchange

rate is the same as in the city, so you don't have to worry about

being robbed.

 

 

[altiva]

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!

 

It's the 20-th anniversary of Ukrainian independence. People on

Mikhail Lomonosov and Marshall Koshevoy could participate in

celebrations, both were docked side by side in Odessa Ukraine.

[altiva]

Photos from the Independence Day Odessa Ukraine August 24 2011

 

Ukrainian souvenirs, Independence Day market on Primorsky boulevard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos here:

http://odessainterpreters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=23

[altiva]

Coats of Arms of all the Administrative districts (oblasts) of Ukraine

 

 

A man in kilt bonds with people in Ukrainian national costumes:

 

[altiva]

The wall of wishes. Papers and pens were available at a special

table, and anybody could write a wish and attach it to this wall.

There were wishes in Ukrainian, Russian, English, Belarussian, and

French, maybe more.

Translating some of the wishes:

-To my dear Ukraine.

-Hi from North. 24.08.11

- We wish to our dear Ukraine to be stable and to flourish.

- Happy Independence Day, Odessa.

- Kaikkea! All the best from Finland!

- Ukraine, I love you.

- Ukraine, you are the best! I love you!

- Be happy and wealthy!

- Hi to Ukraine from Russia, Ekaterinburg - land of metal, malachite

and fairy tales!

- Live and flourish, beautiful Ukraine! With love from your

neighbours, Belarussians. City of Gomel.

- Many happy returns, Ukraine!

- Ukraine, happy holiday! We love you!

- Ukraine, live long and happy! I love Ukraine!

- My country is the best country in the world!

- Ukraine forever (in English)

- Everything will be all right!

- My darling! I promise, on your next birthday, I will turn up in

vyshyvanka (a Ukrainian traditional shirt with embroidery).

- Ukraine - a country-dream.

- Ukraine, I love you, baby (in English).

- We are from Murmanks. Thanks for holidays in Odessa. 24.08.11

- Ukraine, I want us to be happy together! Marina, 8 years old.

- We are in love with you, Ukraine!

- Happy Independence Day.

- Be Happy, Ukraine.

- I wish a lot of money to all the citizens of Ukraine, and a lot of

love, too! With love, Christie.

 

 

 

 

 

[altiva]

Odessa Hugs

 

You can see people, hugging Odessa landmarks and statues on this

video.

 

[altiva]

and, at last, Odessa web cam here:

 

http://inter.ua/uk/webcam#odessa

 

Duc and Primorsky boulevard

 

http://inter.ua/uk/webcam#odessa

[goose30]

These pictures are so beautiful. I an so glad that this thread keeps on living.

[altiva]

thanks for encouragement, goose30.

[altiva]

Hotel Krasnaya Odessa Ukraine

 

Situated - Pushkinskaya 15.

Quite a mediocre hotel, but great architecture.

 

 

 

 

 

more photos here:

 

http://odessainterpreters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=24