The Black Sea
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A nice day in September and people are enjoying the seaside, as are we. We walked for five hours and it was almost entirely public access. This is really nice for families and people walking and riding bikes! With privatization on the move however, more beach front property is being sold and locked up, so we don't know how long this will last. |
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This beach is only about a 15 minute walk from our flat. Since we are close to the port (see it in the background), the water quality is not as good as it is another 10 minute walk farther down the coast so there are no swimmers here. The sea wall in this area is mainly cement. But there are intermittent sandy beach areas as you walk south along the coastline. |
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The Port of Odesa is a busy place. It is interesting to spend time on the docks watching the activity. Huge freighters seem to stack-up in line out at sea waiting for their turn to come into the port. Then, you get to see the pilot boats and tugs in action! The entry into the port itself does not seem very big; nonetheless, they seem to maneuver those ships quite well. It's really is impressive. |
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other end of the port, there is general shipping activity too.
This bridge only has traffic for the port. You will see occasional commercial trucks on it but no regular traffic. |
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The famous Potempkin Steps. Ten flights up. When the weather is nice, the sides are filled with vendors. These steps take you from the docks up to the main part of the city. Look up to the top and you can barely see the top of the Odesa Opera House. |
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of the many many monuments in Odesa. This one has a very tall pinnacle--kind
of like the Washington Monument (but not that tall). It is a memorial
for the seamen and it is "guarded" by these young academics
from one of the maritime academies (of which there are many in Odesa).
Here is a "changing of the guard."
It also has a perpetual flame which this street kid (in the center) has found very warm on this cold day. |
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Another monument along the sea. This one is Roman-looking. We aren't sure what this one is for but locals tell us that it was a place for outdoor concerts in the summer. Jim is taking in the view near one of the pillars (see left side of photo). |