Odessa

Barely back from our vacation in Vienna, we headed off to Odessa on Friday night, Oct. 31st.

1 hour to drive out of town and then almost 5 hours to Odessa. All of this with the help of a Russian speaking navigation system ;-)

With the help of a colleague, Peter had found a luxurious furnished flat (in a high rise) for us and when we arrived late at night, the landlady came to let us in and put the kids to bed. The next morning, we strolled along the city center to the stairs (see photo) made famous by the movie Panzerkreuzer Potemkin

The statue of the sailor's wife waiving him at the harbour of Odessa was an occasion for the three Zehetner girls to take a good look at the sea :-)

Very impressive big ships, a lighthouse a lots of fog on that day.

Right at the harbour, by chance we discovered a little art galery showing the works of the French painter Yvon Taillandier and we all liked the paintings very much http://www.yvon-taillandier.com/fr/oeuvres.php?niv=8&perio_id=8niv=8&perio_id=8).

Peter's colleague with his wife who are originally from Odessa, not only helped with the housing, but also told us that the dolphin show is a MUST and that it starts at 3pm. So we were there on time, had a quick pizza and then a really wonderful show. We agree: if you go to Odessa, you must go and see the dolphin show (that also inlcudes some seals).

http://www.delfinariy.od.ua/?idr=1

Finally the way back Saturday night:
3 emergency stops on the way (seems we were the only ones not just hanging out on the highway, as Peter speeded home to get feverish Isa into her bed):
1 for 2 pedestrians who were strolling slowly crossing the highway
1 for a wild dog strolling slowly on the highway
1 for a policeman with a radar pistol (or was it a hairdryer?) who soon gave up on Peter's repeated "What? What?"
In short - trip & all 3 stops went well, nobody injured, only the policeman was pissed off without bribe.