Russia > Looking for a hotel

Today we continue driving further south. In two days, we want to reach Vladivostok. This means we are now all the way east of China. On the map, that is quite a long way from home. Before leaving Khabarovsk, we visit the Transfiguration Cathedral. The church, with its golden domes, stands on the banks of the Amur River. Because of the threatening weather yesterday afternoon, we thought the cathedral was a bit too far to walk to. By car, we drive past Lenin Square and along Muravyova-Amurskogo Avenue. It is Sunday morning and the streets are quiet. A service is taking place in the Transfiguration Cathedral. Remarkably, everyone is standing—there are no benches or chairs.

Russia - The golden dome of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Khabarovsk

Beautiful chanting fills the air. The clergy walk out from behind the altar. Next to the cathedral stands the monument to the victims of the Second World War—a typical concrete Soviet monument. It is sunny as we leave the city. The road to Vladivostok mainly passes through forested areas. You can clearly see that this route has been used for a long time. There are more villages along the way, which means speed limits apply in these villages and there are police controls. We’re not really worried about speed cameras with our Dutch license plate—the cars in front of us, however, seem concerned. At a small roadside restaurant, we stop for lunch. It is busy, with all the tables around us occupied. For many travelers heading to Vladivostok, this is probably an ideal stop. Around four o’clock, we enter Dalnerechensk. On the map, it is the largest town halfway along the route, but it still has only 27,000 inhabitants. The only hotel looks closed and unappealing. According to the navigation, the next hotel is more than 170 kilometers away, so we decide to keep driving. Upon leaving Dalnerechensk, the navigation directs us onto an unpaved, pothole-filled road. We drive slowly, carefully trying to avoid the holes so as not to damage the car just before Vladivostok. After two and a half kilometers of slow driving, we return to the highway. Ironically, there is another section here without asphalt due to roadworks. For a few kilometers, we drive over gravel and loose stones, with thick clouds of dust rising above the road. Fortunately, it clears quickly, and we continue comfortably. At the intended hotel, a private party is taking place, and no rooms are available. We are directed to a nearby building, where two simple rooms are available. In a small village a little further on, we buy some beer and food. Tomorrow, the distance to Vladivostok will be much shorter.