Ukraine was called the bread basket of the Soviet and it's easy to see why. After Russia, it's the second largest country in Europe.  Even it's flag represents the vast fertile land (yellow) and big open skies (blue).  We spent 8 days on two separate farmstays in the Dmitrenki region, about 200km south of Kiev.  Life is very simple, in a good way,  in these parts.  We loved the traditional Ukrainian farm houses.  They have a common fire place that has several chimneys going in different directions and a platform to sleep on - very cosy.  Often, clay pots with soups and borsch are placed next to the fire to cook slowly.

​

This was my second visit to Kiev.  It's a vibrant and interesting city with plenty of history (both good and bad).  Most nights we wandered the various Christmas Markets and delighted in the smoothing warmth of the gluhwein and bratwurst.

​

Robyn and I nervously agreed we should visit Chernobyl.  After a 3 hour drive and being presented with our own personal Geiger counter and a dosimeter we ventured into the surreal.  We had expected we might get a glimpse the notorious Reactor 4 from a great distance.  Worryingly, however, our first stop was 100 from where 'shit went wrong' in 1986.  Ironically, our Geiger counter was measuring levels slightly above normal.  However, in the Red Forest (a 3.5km drive to Pripyat) it was beeping madly.  Again in Pripyat, the device register near normal levels.