I visited Beer Dream in Kyiv and tried some Ukrainian beer in January 2017
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I am a big fan of beer, and love to try out the local brew when travelling. I was a bit disappointed about the beer in Ukraine, most places seemed to have imported beer, the normal boring stuff like Carlsberg and Heineken, I had not found many places serving local Ukrainian beer. Maybe I had simply been to the wrong places, I don’t know. But on my last day in Kyiv I found Beer Dream.
I visited the Christmas Market in Kyiv during Orthodox Christmas in January 2017
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I arrived in Kyiv thinking Christmas was over. It was the first weekend in January, I had returned to work after my Christmas holiday, presents were opened and forgotten, I was ready for a new year. But the first place I visited in Kyiv was the Christmas market. Suddenly I found my Christmas spirit again. Christmas decorations everywhere, glühwein, some delicious christmas food. All of a sudden Santa Claus would walk by. Russian Santa that is, dressed in blue but with an equally long beard. The market really conveyed christmas spirit, something I thought I had lost a week ago.
I visited the monastery Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv in January 2017
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I had to crouch down as we walked through the caves. My guide walking in front of me, I was following with a small candle in my hand for light. My guide would usually walk at a speed fast enough to extinguish my candle if I tried to follow. I would shield the tiny flame with my hand, trying to keep up as best I could. Many other people were exploring the caves as well, a few with guides, most people on their own. I was glad I chose to hire a guide, the information she provided was worth the few Euros I paid many times over.
I visited The Ukrainian Genocide Holodomor Memorial in January 2017
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It was so cold. The temperature was slowly creeping down towards -20° Celcius. Every now and then a gush of wind would come, making it even colder. I tucked myself as far into my jacket as I could, wrapped my scarf around my face, only my eyes were uncovered. Kept walking down the snow covered road. I was on my way to the Ukrainian Genocide Holodomer Memorial, a 45 minute walk from my apartment. I could have taken the bus but just love walking through new and unexplored cities. Even in freezing temperatures I refused to take the bus. There was just so much to see.
I visited Kyiv and tried Kiev Private Tours in January 2017
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I had not chosen the best time to come to Kyiv. It was the first weekend in January, it was cold, the temperature was creeping down to -20 degrees Celsius. Even with a thick jacket, a beanie, scarf and gloves I always felt cold. My phone and GoPro would stop working at times, they simply got too cold, I needed to keep both close to my body to warm them up. Made it hard to take pictures. It was also Orthodox Christmas and many museums and bars were closed. Still I had a great time in this wonderful city and would love to return in the spring or summer.
I visited Ramen Burger Restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine in January 2017
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It is not always that mixing two good things leads to something better. Especialy when it comes to food. In Sweden having banana on pizza seems to be a big thing. It has never been to my liking. When visiting Kyiv I found another peculiar mix. The Ramen Burger. A burger where the bread is replaced by Ramen. The burger is prepared like any other burger, Except you replace the bread with ramen. The ramen needed to be fried a bit before serving to obtain a bread-like consistency. I was sceptical, but had to try it. Ordered my meal with low expectations, so low it would take a lot for me to be disappointed.
I visited Nikka Bar in Kyiv in January 2017
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‘Come on my friend, why don’t you come sit in the bar.’ The bartender looked at me, pointed to one of the chairs in the bar. They were all taken, but some quick words in Ukrainian from the bartender and one of the regulars vacated his seat, made room for me. I took my drink, moved over to the bar, sat down. Only a minute later we were all engaged in conversation.
I visited Puzata Hata in Kyiv for some great Ukrainian food in January 2017
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I chose a vegetable soup, some local sausages and a chicken Kiev, I was in Kyiv you know. Added some bread, in one of the breads a potato and onion stew was baked into it. Cucumber mayo as a sauce. Ice tea to drink and a slice of cherry cake for dessert. A lunch large enough for me and all for only a few dollars. I found a seat at an empty table and started eating. Proper Ukrainian food at a restaurant frequented by locals. It was very tasty. I was at Puzata Hata, a traditional Ukrainian restaurant serving authentic local food.