Yalta in the Crimea, Ukraine

I think this was the first time I had been met on arrival at the train station. It was a nice feeling to be looking out the train window to see my Russian friends Alex and Masha and their friend Michael waiting to collect me. I thought it was odd that Masha was carrying a toilet seat! Turns out it was new. Still seemed odd. ;)

Yalta was great! We all shared an apartment rented at the cheap Russian-speaking rate ( memory had it at 4 x $8 U.S. a night )
We did some hiking for some great views. Even had an impromptu night swim in the black sea.