We're h.a.p.p.y
we booked into hotel Slavyanka for two days as I was unwell (de-hydration we think) and spent the second day, Mark washing the wind screens and head light protectors myself taking off the helmet visors and protection systems and washing those. We also wanted to change some dollars and ask the hotel receptionist who rang round and found some where open (the time was 6.30pm). We got directions and a small map from her, here goes a mini adventure in this big adventure. We head up the street trying not to look to much like tourist's but fail miserably!! We walk up the street looking for a toy shop which has an exchange inside. Distance on the map compared to actual distance on the street is unrecognisable, and after a couple of false starts we find the place and change our money ( which by the way, Paul's collecting a coin from each country visited for his son,Alex). At the hotel we try the restuarant and a thin looking waiter called Denis ask's if we would give him a ride on a bike, we agree and also tell him we would take a polaroid photo for him to keep. With that sorted, we sit down to a fantastic meal. Breakfast done and we're at the bike's packing our kit with no sign of Denis. "If he does'nt show we're not waiting" I say but Denis turns up 5 mins later. I take his picture and we move the bike's from the secure parking,Denis on the back holding on for life I speed off around the block with Paul videoing. Outside the hotel I wait for Paul to arrive, a quick goodbye and we set off for Yoa (say Ufa). The signs start off good but soon run out and we head for Eketeringburg hopeing that's correct. It's not but we can still head this way, It's a longer route but meets up with our original route. We end the day at a place called Perm, again a stroke of luck a biker and his girlfriend takes us to a 3* hotel called Tourist, this will do us. We'll up date again when we can, hope its good and interesting reading for you all. Mark and Paul