Yesterday afternoon we went on a boat excursion past Khortitza Island and then through the lock in the dam. We started our journey at a port about 30 minutes from our apartment near a park called Oak Grove.
We brought drinks and food (some people brought too much vodka) and had a little snack along the way. Dez was really excited to be on a boat.
August couldn't have cared less and could have really used a nap!
It was a beautiful, sunny, +25 degree day and it was lovely on the water.
View of the shore:
This tour guide lady was sooooo excited to be sharing all the historical facts and landmarks along the way. We of course, ignored her as best as possible (it was all in Russian) but we couldn't ignore her enthusiasm!
Apartment buildings:
The Sheraton hotel is at the bottom of this huge, new and massive complex.
The "new" bridge from the left bank (main area of the city) to Khortitza Island that has been in the building process for oh, 15 or so years and will be old and need replacing by the time it's finished. The story goes that some contractors got paid a huge chunk of money to do some work and instead they just took off.
The old bridge across to Khortitza - the top is where trains go and underneath is where cars drive.
The Cossack replica town on Khortitza:
Coming up to the dam/lock:
Entering:
The lock itself was the part I was looking forward to the most and it was actually super impressive.
There is no way to describe just how huge it was and just how far away the top was!!
Waiting for another boat to enter before we go up:
Steve and Dez anticipating the action:
The other boat is in and the doors are closing!
The boys doing a fine job of pretending they know what's happening:
We're getting higher!
It was actually quite fast - just thinking about how much water it would take to fill that huge area and still being able to see the water level rise drastically along the wall was pretty cool
View of the Lenin statue as we rise to the top of the lock:
Out of the lock and around the corner to the port near our apartment (7-10 minute walk home), the view towards the factories and these things:
If you're in Zap, the boat excursion is definitely something we want to be doing with you! It's impressive enough that I would go again and again so plan your trip here during the boating season!!
Steve: "Hey Dez, what was your favourite part of the boat trip?"
Dez: "Ummmm.....the CHIPS!"
I don't think he got it.
1 comment:
That's pretty cool. My boys would probably have said the chips, too. haha
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