...Of such immense size: Photos 21 to 30

After an hour an a half and 3 stops, we make it over the border. It was the longest, drawn out border crossing I've ever been through but it was all good and we continue on to Minsk.

I had no idea what to expect from Belarus. No pre-conceptions or even any imaginations of what I might see. The short drive from the border to Minsk was prosaic but driving into Minsk itself was a treat. Not because it was particually interesting or attractive but because it was totally unexpected. I was preparring myself for a monotonous journey of dour, gloomy grey soviet buildings. They were there but they had all been painted different colours, so instead of street after street of ugly grey buildings, there was street after street of ugly colourful buildings.

I arrived at the bus terminal just near the massive train station. It was then I started my search for a hotel. Now there is a story to this because I think I fell through sum bureaucratic cracks.

There is an exhaustive process to get a Belarusian visa but I went to the embassy in Vilnius just to enquire, I had filled out the

Full Text Entry: ...Of such immense size

What a diverse world we live in. Visiting places where people ask "why are you hear?"means you are a true traveller,not a tourist. PLEASE don't run to catch a moving train again as it makes Mum shudder & cry.(she's a Mum,thats her job).

However, luckly my husband is Belorussian, so it was not has bad as Camo's visit, I am orginally from New Zealand but have lived in Oz for last twenty years. I have now been to Belarus probably 5 or 6 times now... and still its an interesting place to visit...my advice to any one considering a visit is to definitely learn a little russian especially how to pronounce the alphabet to string the letters together ...communication if only basic will at least get better assistance from the locals...I really enjoyed reading this blog...Happy Travels

I have just checked a couple of facts related to Minsk in the net. I was really surprised, that many facts the author gave in the report appeared to be totally wrong. Isn't it a strange report....hmmmm

Hi Alex. Thanks for your feedback.. I wouldn't like to think I was givng the wrong information as I usually try and get it pretty right but in the midst of the hustle and bustle of travel there's always chances of getting things wrong.. Can you tell me what I got wrong so we can all know??

So where can you eat, where there will be good traditional Belorussian/Russian food? I also wish to know what exactly you said to everyone who asked you why you came to their country. I am going soon and don't want to offend anyone. Thanks for your time and your report.

Hi Yvonne Sorry for the ridiculously late reply but I don't check my travelblog much these days. I hope any info I give isn't too late. Unfortunately I didn't stumble across any decent places to eat while in Belarus. They were mainly old soviet style serveries which weren't very good. However in Minsk I went to a nice cafe/restaurant on the main street. I can't remember what it was called but it seemed in that main area there were plenty of places to try. As far as telling people why I was there, I just told them the truth, I was curious to see it and I am the type of traveller who will go anywhere. I didn't say anything about being part of the old soviet bloc as I didn't know how people felt about it. I think if you're going there out of curiosity, that's your best excuse. If there's anything I can't stress enough, it's to familiarise yourself with some Russian. Honestly, the language barrier was the most strenuous part of trip. Anyway I hope this helps if it's not too late and I hope you have a great trip

What a diverse world we live in. Visiting places where people ask "why are you hear?"means you are a true traveller,not a tourist. PLEASE don't run to catch a moving train again as it makes Mum shudder & cry.(she's a Mum,thats her job).

However, luckly my husband is Belorussian, so it was not has bad as Camo's visit, I am orginally from New Zealand but have lived in Oz for last twenty years. I have now been to Belarus probably 5 or 6 times now... and still its an interesting place to visit...my advice to any one considering a visit is to definitely learn a little russian especially how to pronounce the alphabet to string the letters together ...communication if only basic will at least get better assistance from the locals...I really enjoyed reading this blog...Happy Travels

I have just checked a couple of facts related to Minsk in the net. I was really surprised, that many facts the author gave in the report appeared to be totally wrong. Isn't it a strange report....hmmmm

Hi Alex. Thanks for your feedback.. I wouldn't like to think I was givng the wrong information as I usually try and get it pretty right but in the midst of the hustle and bustle of travel there's always chances of getting things wrong.. Can you tell me what I got wrong so we can all know??

So where can you eat, where there will be good traditional Belorussian/Russian food? I also wish to know what exactly you said to everyone who asked you why you came to their country. I am going soon and don't want to offend anyone. Thanks for your time and your report.

Hi Yvonne Sorry for the ridiculously late reply but I don't check my travelblog much these days. I hope any info I give isn't too late. Unfortunately I didn't stumble across any decent places to eat while in Belarus. They were mainly old soviet style serveries which weren't very good. However in Minsk I went to a nice cafe/restaurant on the main street. I can't remember what it was called but it seemed in that main area there were plenty of places to try. As far as telling people why I was there, I just told them the truth, I was curious to see it and I am the type of traveller who will go anywhere. I didn't say anything about being part of the old soviet bloc as I didn't know how people felt about it. I think if you're going there out of curiosity, that's your best excuse. If there's anything I can't stress enough, it's to familiarise yourself with some Russian. Honestly, the language barrier was the most strenuous part of trip. Anyway I hope this helps if it's not too late and I hope you have a great trip