Jan 19, 2011

One afternoon in Budapest I met Cameron, an Australian who has cycled 6,244 km alone around Europe. On this 118-day journey he spent 312 hours cycling, averaging 20.0 kph speed, visiting 13 Countries, 5 train journeys, 43 974 Vm of climbing and lots of fun.

Nov 4, 2010

This is my travel video diary which shows highlights of my hitch-hiking trip from Berlin to Georgia Republic via Istanbul and back. Along the path I visited these cities. BIG THANKS to every couchsurfer and driver who made this trip possible and unforgettable!!! The trip began on August 4 2010 and ended on November 3rd 2010.
The only money I took on this 3-month trip was $1000 cash, spending only $833 for food, and the rest for buying an rain jacket in Sofia, warm hat in Vienna, a railroad ticket from Tbilisi to Batumi, hostel for two nights in Odessa.

Back in New York.. BIG THANKS To Everyone!!!

Renat in Berlin (Germany) and Flight back to NYC – Oct. 1-3, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking from Prague (Czech Republic) to Berlin (Germany) – Oct. 31, 2010

Renat in Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 26-30, 2010

Renat in Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 21-25, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking from Vienna (Austria) to Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 20, 2010

Renat in Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 16-19, 2010

Renat in Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 12-16, 2010

Renat in Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 12, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking from Budapest (Hungary) to Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 12, 2010

Renat in Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 10-12, also Hitchhiking to Vienna, 2010

Renat in Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 8-9, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking to Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 7 + next day in Budapest, 2010

Renat last day in Belgrade (Serbia), next day autostop to Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 6 -7, 2010

Renat in Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 4-6, 2010

Renat in Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 3-4, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking from Sofia (Bulgaria) to Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 2, 2010

Renat in Sofia (Bulgaria) Sep. 24 – Oct. 1, 2010

Renat trip from Samsun to Istanbul, and then to Sofia Sep. 23-24, 2010 (SORRY: STILL NO AUDIO)

Renat heading from Tbilisi – Georgia Republic to Samsun – Turkey Sep. 21-22, 2010 (SORRY: NO AUDIO)

Renat in Tbilisi – Georgia Republic – Sep. 17-21, 2010

Renat in Tbilisi – Georgia Republic – Sep. 16-17, 2010

Renat Hitchhiking from Hopa in Turkey to Tbilisi in Georgia Republic) – Sep. 15-16, 2010

Renat in Turkey (Hitchhiking to Samsun and Hopa) – Sep. 14-15, 2010

Renat in Turkey (Hitchhiking to Samsun) – Sep. 13-14, 2010

Renat in Turkey (Breakfast in the woods with Mutlu’s family) – Sep 10 , 2010

Renat in Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 8 , 2010

Renat in Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 7 – 8 , 2010

Things to try in Istanbul;

Places to visit: Historical part to explore is SultanAhmet, where you will find the Blue Moscue, Aya Sofia (used to be a Church, now a museum). Also in that area is Basilica Cistern, which has a stone-carved face of Medusa who is placed upside down in the water so her evil eye does not see the spectators’. Near SultanAhmet is the Grand Bazaar, which is 650 years old with over 3600 active shops, and it is considered to be the biggest mall in Europe. Also walking distance away from it is the Spice Bazaar (be sure to checkout Egyptian Market located inside it). Istiklal kadesi (pedestrian street, begins near Taksim square). Off of Istiklal is Nevizade – bar and club area. Istanbul Modern – a museum to checkout in Bosporus area located down from Beyoglu area. Clubs: Babylon Peyote Balkon Kadikoy district, located on the Asian side. Food: For those who have a sweet tooth, definitely check out a candy store called Kavkaz (famous for their chestnut candies), found in every mall. Also turkish viagra – found at the spice bazaar in the egyptian market. Doi-Doi restaurant to try good food.. Halvetia locata (food boufet) located parallel to Istiklal before arriving to tunnel, make a right on Asmali sokak and then first left and go to the end -the gate, Halvetia will be on the corner. For 10 liras you get to choose 5 different sides, and the food is really tasty. Milk rice (comes in a dish). Marash ice cream, found at Mado ice cream shops around Istanbul. Grilled fish on Galata bridge. Mussels with rice and cinnamon. Desert with chicken (chicken pudding) Burek – salty pastry with white cheese in it. Cataif Pide – Turkish pizza Chorba – lentil soup Locanta – self-service restaurant

Renat on the way to Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 2 – 3 , 2010

Renat arriving to Bucharest (Romania) – Aug. 29 – Sep. 2, 2010

Renat hitch-hikıng from Odessa to Bucharest (Romania) – Aug. 27-28 , 2010

Renat in Belaya Tserkov (Part 2, August 25). Autostop to Odessa begins – Aug. 27 , 2010

Renat in Kıev (Ukraine), Trıp to Belaya Tserkov, August 25, 2010

Renat Hitch-Hiking to Ukraine (Kiev) arriving August 20, staying there till Aug. 27th, 2010

Renat in Poland (Warsaw) August 16-20, 2010

Renat in Poland August 15-16 (Arriving by Hitch-Hiking to Warsaw), 2010

Renat in Berlin August 15 (Hitch-Hiking… Part 2), 2010

Renat in Berlin August 15 (Hitch-Hiking… again), 2010

Renat in Berlin August 13-14, 2010

Renat in Berlin August 11-13 (Part 3), 2010

Renat in Berlin August 11-13 (Part 2), 2010

Renat in Berlin August 11-13, 2010

Renat in Berlin August 10-11, 2010

Sep 25, 2010

If you happen to be in Prague having only US cash, you should be extremely careful of where you exchange your money to the Czech Kronas. After getting ripped off at a random currency exchange booth I decided to discover the best place to for currency exchange in Prague. Some couple of hours of research and approaching locals about it I found that CSOB bank has the best deal. It charges only 2% commision from the total amount exchanged. Be careful of the small currency exchange booths scattered around Prague. Most of them lure you in by presenting 0% commission signs and confusing verbiage on them mask a very poor exchange rate. If you are tempted to use them, ask what the total amount you will receive before handing over any money, they WILL NOT cancel the transaction after the receipt has been printed, I even called the local Police to revert the transaction but even they couldn’t help. The policeman even showed me a paper with a statement that all transactions are tracked by the Prague’s central bank and they are not to be canceled.

If you need to withdraw money out of an ATM using a US-issued debit card, be aware that most US banks charge at least $3 plus 3% commision from the amount withdrawn for each transaction. So it is best to simly bring cash to Europe and use banks or local exchange offices. Be aware of extremely high theft rate in Barcelona, Spain, so be sure to hide that cash well into inner pockets of your clothes. This city is the Mecca pickpocketers!