First days in Kiev...

Sunday 7th October 2012

We were up and about at 6:00 am and on the road to Heathrow by 6:30 or so. The traffic was light, and even in the dark and lightening dawn it was a brilliant morning.

Our flight was from Terminal 5, the new Terminal. Check-in was no problem, and we went through the security inquisition.

All was going well until my carry-on bag went through the machine. I was taken aside and the bag was completely emptied and all items thoroughly checked, before the bag was taken through the scanner again.

The security officer was very polite and said my bag had triggered an 'activation', and she had to get her supervisor. Nice chap, came over and put me through a battery of questions right out of the TV programme 'Border Patrol'. He was trying to ascertain why my bag, which has been used by me in about 10 overseas trips since 9/11 was registering traces of military grade explosives!

After two more checks it was found to be clear. The only other innocent explanation might be that it had come into contact with a person or place where angina medication might have been used and traces transferred. Apparently something in those medicines registers a similar effect on the scanners. Or maybe the machine or operator needed re-calibrating?

Looking toward the sunrise from Terminal 5, our departure gate lounge is two buildings toward the sun!

Once through the departure lounge we went to an underground transit station and two stops on the train later we reached our departure gate building, quite distant from Terminal 5. Since this area is all new, and not connected or associated with the older terminals 1 – 4 it just goes to show how massive Heathrow is.

Our A320 at Gate C46.  Terminal 5 is the big building two over at left.

We had an excellent flight to Kiev in beautiful weather, in a British Airways Eurotraveller service Airbus A320, which felt quite small after the 777-200 from NZ. Enjoyed an airline English breakfast, and dozed for much or the way, arriving at Boryspil International, Kiev, at 2:00 pm. (Really mid-day UK time).

On arrival at Boryspil we parked up on the side of the apron, and were herded into a bus to be taken to the terminal building. No loitering or photography permitted before completing entry controls. Passport control for me was a quick look at the passport, rubber stamp, and in. For Rosemary, the officer checked her visa, then telephoned somewhere to confirm it. Made a pleasant change for Rosemary to get some two and a half degree checking for a change! So we were last ones out of passport control.

One of Elena's pix - an excited Dimitri waiting for Nannie and Grankie to arrive.

Can't be long now...

And here they are!

Outside the terminal at Kiev Boryspil, before grabbing a taxi.

Was great to see the kids and Dimitri at the terminal. We had a comfortable taxi ride to the apartment. After settling in and having a snack we went for a walkabout round the neighbourhood and playgrounds. We then went to the local supermarket before returning to the apartment to freshen up and have a nice pizza dinner.

The school playground in the apartment estate.

Dimitri is fearless on the bouncy slide.

Dima and Rose

Juxtaposition - old and new

Opening some new lego with Dima

Pretty warm in the apartment – we watched a movie, and then hit the sack at 11:00 pm.

Monday 8th October 2012

Slept really well, though with the central heating we didn't need much in the way of blankets on the bed.

After breakfast, we walked Dimitri to kindergarten nearby, met his teacher, who waved us away and shut the door. Kindy here is quite structured and disciplined, unlike the "doting parents' social centres" at start and end of the day in NZ. We then went to the local store.

I had a doze in the morning as it has been raining solidly all day.

We were expecting a visit from Elena's uncle, but he couldn't make it, so the quiet morning to settle in was welcome. 

 After lunch (borscht, left over pizza and bread and cheese) Steve and I went to the local suburban bank a couple minutes' walk away, and I changed some US currency into the local money (HRN, UAH, or pronounced 'groovna').

Steve had some work booked this afternoon, so after Elena and us picked up Dima at 3:30 pm we were going on the bus to EpiCentre, the local mega-sized version of Bunnings.

Sure enough, we picked up Dimitri, fresh from his afternoon nap at kindy and went home for a cuppa and snack.

Playing Lego Leap Frog

When Steve came back from work we then hopped on a bus to the next suburb toward town, where we went to the EpiCentre. This place makes Bunnings and Walmart combined look like a corner store.

Outside the EpiCentre

Elena's favourite kitchen

The yellow public bus service is basic, but at 2.5HRN each (about NZ40c) per journey it is excellent value. Amazing how many people pack into the buses  and everyone just crams up a little more. Also, if someone gets on at the back, they just pass the money forward and within a short time the change will come back hand-to-hand from the driver. Try that in New Zealand!

We got home in a crowded rush hour bus at about 7:00 pm, and after dinner, here I am writing these notes. Rose and I have some tourist activity in Kiev planned for tomorrow while Dima is at kindy for the day. The metro is first on the list of new experiences, apparently!

I got myself a twisted or tweaked elbow I guess from manhandling suitcases (can't blame it on tennis), so it is not too comfortable. See how it is in the morning to determine whether I ought to try anything more powerful than Kiwi paracetamol and elbow strapping.

Tonight Dima grabbed my camera and this is one of his photos. He made us look quite human.