The flight in to Kiev-Boryspil International Airport gives a wonderful view over Kiev, with stunning views of the Dnieper River flowing through splitting the city in two, held together by eight bridges.
I caught my first glance of the Motherland Monument (Rodina Mat) standing proudly looking over the city. Localy known as ‘Brezhnevs Daughter’. The 62 meter high titanium statue celebrates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
There is a massive building program going on in Kiev currently. The skyline is covered with new skyscrapers emerging from the smaller soviet era buildings.
Disembarking from the flight, its just a few short steps away to the terminal building ready to welcome you into Ukraine, and speed you on your way towards Kiev.
As I had to take a quick comfort break, the queues at passport control had become quite substantial as my whole flight now stood patiently waiting to enter. There was one short queue, ‘Crew and Diplomates only’, with only four people waiting. Whilst thinking ‘its a shame I’m neither of those’, a heavily armed official approached me and utter some words in Ukrainian and pointed towards that queue. Having know idea of what had been said, and not wishing to start my Ukrainian trip with a disagreement with an armed official, I joined the queue which was now down to two people. Happy days.
At the front of the queue, I approach the official in passport control. “First time in Ukraine?”, “Reasons for visit?”, “Where are you visiting?”, “Where are you staying?”, “How long are you staying for?” all answered correctly. With the bang of the rubber stamp in my passport, I’m officially in Ukraine.
With only carry on baggage, I was able to whiz passed the luggage belts towards customs control. With nothing to declare, I head straight into and through the green channel and out into the arrivals hall.
As the airport is approximately 21 kilometres from the city, I had decided to book a driver with Kiev Safe Airport Transfer Company to make the journey easy. As promised my driver, Atilla, is stood waiting with my name on a board, I am given a warm welcome to Ukraine and we head off to make the journey.
Its virtually impossible to get the local currency anywhere but here, so I needed to exchange some Euro’s into Hryvania, and I wanted to purchase a SIM for my Mi-Fi box to keep me connected. Neither of these things was an issue for Atilla. He took me to a money exchange where a swift transaction provided me with hard local currency.
After trying a couple of stores on the way to the apartment, we had not been successful in purchasing a local SIM card. However, in the shops below the apartment I was staying in was a phone store. Double parked outside the apartment, we wander around to the store, and within less than 5 minutes I have a fully activated SIM in my Mi-Fi box, for the equivalent of about £9, I have unlimited data access whilst here. I could have done it myself, but it was so much quicker with assistance from a local.
Back at the car, I collect my bags and pay Atilla for my inbound journey with a suitable tip for helping me with everything else. Arrange a time for collection on Friday, and then head towards the apartment block.
Entering the number provided on the keypad, I’m connected too the apartment and let into the building. Apartment 49 is on the seventh floor, good job we have a lift here.
I press the call button, and can hear the old soviet lift approaching. Onboard I select Floor 7 and make the clunky journey upward. This is certainly not the most modern of lifts, but its certainly better than seven flights of stairs.
Greeted at the apartment, I’m shown around the layout and where everything is. Provided with the Wi-Fi passport, and make arrangements for the key collection on Friday morning.
After a quick look from balcony, I unpack my belongings and go and freshen up before heading out for my first exploration of Kiev, okay first beer in Kiev.