Tuesday, July 15, 2014
After the whole police episode was over, we drove south from Astrakhan towards the Volga Delta. Our original plan was to wing it and find someone with a boat. The receptionist at our hotel had given us a brochure with info on lodges that organize boat trips in the delta, mainly for fishing. While the police investigation was in full swing, Galimbek made a call to one of the outfits (Olga Lodge) on our behalf and thus arranged a boat transfer to to the lodge and a trip on the Delta and to the Caspian the next day. Much better than winging it!
On arrival in Karalat we looked for someone to ask directions to the small jetty used by Olga Lodge. We found 2 friendly locals who told us to follow them as they led the way in their car. Five minutes later, at 7:30pm as promised, we were greeted at the jetty by our contact form the Lodge. Twenty five minutes later we docked at the lodge where we were welcomed with vodka and caviar. The people there were told that we didn’t speak Russian but with smiles and gestures all was easy enough. Dinner was served and we retired early as we had an early start the next morning.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Up at 7am for 7:30 breakfast and by 8:15am we were in a long boat on the Volga Delta on our way to the Caspian Sea. The Volga River is Europe’s longest and largest river and the Delta flows into the Caspian Sea. Because of the Delta and its geography the Caspian Sea does not have a coast line in that area, so the only way of getting to it is by boat via the Delta of the River. Further south the Caspian does have a coast line, but time constraints did not allow for a visit there this time.
Why were we so keen to get to the Caspian Sea? The Caspian Sea is the lowest point in Europe, so for me (Caroline) this was a big moment as it was number 6 of 7. Having been on the Caspian Sea in a boat, and, standing on solid ground at the Lodge which is situated in the Delta, I claim having reached Europe’s lowest point. Hydraulically the Delta and the Caspian are linked.
More info on www.7lows.com – which will be updated when time allows.
A nice bonus was that the lotus flowers in the Delta were in bloom and that was quite the spectacular sight.
Two hours later we were back at the Lodge, where we freshened up, checked out and said goodbye to our hosts before getting back in the speed boat to the jetty were we’d parked Sterlin the night before.
We headed back to Astrakhan to find a hotel. Our first choice ‘Bonhotel’ was full so we went to Azimut Hotel instead. We discovered that this hotel was scamming booking.com and similar sites. They advertised cut throat prices on these sites which weren’t available when one walks up to the hotel without a reservation. Basically they set aside a few shitty rooms at a low price. We rocked up to the hotel to be quoted a price just above $100 and took it. While waiting for the room to be ready we noticed that the same room was on booking.com for $56. Quite a saving. We ended up booking on booking.com and getting the better rate, but it was all a little awkward. And the room we got was terrible. Oh well.
