resumably last family-weekend in Ukraine brought us to the South-West: 
Kamenets-Podolski has been our base for this week-end. A great medieval town, with a stunning fortress. There we shot with the cross bow and checked out all the hidden paths and corners of this huge and well preserved fortress. An absolute Must for everybody living in this country.
When in the fortress, you can see a very interesting building that is telling the story of this city, a church which has over the centuries served for many different purposes: First a catholic church and seat of a bishop, then taken by the muslims who added aminarett to it. Then it was re-conquered. This is shown by a golden statue of Mary built on top of the minarett. But after some time the church lost its status as a seat of a bishop, then seized being a church at all. The communists turned it into a museum for atheism. Since 1990 it has become a catholic church again and the Polish pope gave it its own bishop again in 2002. His statue can be seen in the garden behind the church. The tombstones show many Polish names, which explains teh strong catholic roots.
The crystal caves of Krivche: As it was raining, the biggest adven
ture was the way to get there. After driving a mile or so throught the mud, we come to the entrance. We happen to be there at 5 to 12. At 12 a man comes and opens the caves, and we get in together with a group of Ukrainian kids and their accompanying adults. The tour through the cave takes 1 hour, and we see many crystals in the walls, and fascinating forms of the rocks inside the mountain.
ture was the way to get there. After driving a mile or so throught the mud, we come to the entrance. We happen to be there at 5 to 12. At 12 a man comes and opens the caves, and we get in together with a group of Ukrainian kids and their accompanying adults. The tour through the cave takes 1 hour, and we see many crystals in the walls, and fascinating forms of the rocks inside the mountain. The fortress of Xotin, above the majestic river Dniestr: Was built in 1002, and was only conquered twice since then. A huge sign of old power which immediately makes you think of some medieval armies attacking, people selling their goods in front of the fortress and so forth. No wonder this fortress is today used for many movies today.
Chernivtsi: Just 40km south of Xotin, the old capital of Bukovina. previously part of the Austrian empire, you can still see some influence from those days. Chernivtsi is our culinaric high
light of the week-end: First a nice beerhouse for a late lunch. Then short site seeing under heavy rain. The University and the greek-catholic church are impressive. Finally we find a Viennese coffee house, in which we spend a great time with Sachertorte (a Ukrainian version), Apfelstrudel (100% original recipe) and other cakes. Sitting in majestic seats we can feel the the planned music party in the evening will be a success. The owner talks a lot with us about this event, in 
which she intends to lend old aristocratic hats to all ladies. A place to come back.
light of the week-end: First a nice beerhouse for a late lunch. Then short site seeing under heavy rain. The University and the greek-catholic church are impressive. Finally we find a Viennese coffee house, in which we spend a great time with Sachertorte (a Ukrainian version), Apfelstrudel (100% original recipe) and other cakes. Sitting in majestic seats we can feel the the planned music party in the evening will be a success. The owner talks a lot with us about this event, in 
which she intends to lend old aristocratic hats to all ladies. A place to come back. 
