Kiev , "The Mother of Russian Cities"

We looked for the Cossacks and finally found them. Our two week cruise on Europe's third largest river was billed as "In the Footsteps of the Cossacks". We started at Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine, and went down the Dnieper River about six hundred miles to the Black Sea, and Crimea.

We expected some spectacular scenery, beautiful cathedrals but were taken aback by the number of historic monuments commemorating Ukrainian and Russian and Cossack heroes over the centuries of warfare this part of the world has so ... (more)

This is Ukraine, a brand new democracy that is larger in size than...

We were met at the Kiev airport by one of the Viking River Cruise...

During the half hour drive to the Kiev port, the most noticeable sights were...

Finally, we arrived at our ship.

The Lavrinenkov, our home for the next 14 days.

A familiar sight right across the street.

One of the nicest McDonald's we've ever seen, in front of one of the...

One of many dramatic memorials we'll be seeing in every stop we...

Our guide Anna was with us every step of the way.

This gentleman was playing an unusual looking instrument as we began...

Two ancient icons guarding the door of a museum.

High on a hill above the port is the spectacular St. Andrews Cathedral...

Vendors, vendors everywhere we went.

Lots of colorful, hand painted items for sale.

Have you ever heard of Bogdan Khmelnitski? He was a Cossack leader who led an...

St. Sophia's Cathedral was built in 1037, almost a thousand years...

The choir was practicing inside when we visited St. Vladimir's...

This was May 1 ... May Day ... and there were celebrations in Kiev as...

Entering the Cathedral of the Caves.

Actually this 'Cathedral' is comprised of about 80 different...

The beautiful facade of just one of those buildings. Many were built...

This Russian tank is another reminder of the devastating World War II.

This old lady stood on crutches around us as we visited one of the...

Pointing out yet another cathedral, the Lavra. Our tour of historic...

The Motherland Monument towers over the Dnieper River, commemorating the...

This dramatic monument honors the legendary Viking founders of the...

Then it was time to leave Kiev and cruise 600 miles down the river to...

A toast to the passengers from the ship's guides who'll be showing us...

So off we go, headed for the historic city of Odessa. But what's...

article published 05/30/2006

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Thanks a lot, Bob, your observations are very informative & interesting, and the photos of the churches are marvelous!!
— Eleanor Robb, September 20, 2006

You are excellent observant ....
Bob, your photos show great changes in the life of this very much-oppressed country in recent history. I see in your photos that the people seem to be happier, showing hope and enthusiasm to build a new life. You are a very good observant of the past and present. My hopes are that one day, Ukraine will become a full member of the European Union. I am looking forward to seeing more shots from a very interesting travel across a country which is one of the largest in Europe but forgotten by many. Greetings, Rafal
— Rafal K Komierowski, June 23, 2006

I am looking forward to the rest of the trip. Very interesting so far. Love those Russian churchs
— Clay Sneller, May 31, 2006

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