Loading ...Kamchatka
Shake Rattle & Roll Greetings!
Yesterday, while going through security at the airport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, everything got a little wobbly. The security agent gazed at me with questioning eyes. I asked if she was shaking her booty just for me. It turns out it was an earthquake that made everything wiggle. To me, the earthquake was an appropriate reminder of why I was drawn to Kamchatka: it’s a very dynamic place! (same as why I’m drawn to life… )
Here’s a link to photos from my Kamchatka experience:
https://balloonbill.smugmug.com/Other/Kamchatka/
From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, yesterday I flew to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the main city on Sakhalin Island. I’m now only about 100 miles away from Japan, but with no way to get there. The adventure continues!
Bill
WOW again
You really are determined to see it ALL
What a HUGE Diverse Country Russia is…You are WAY out there …Again GB
I was looking at a map of that area the other day…Russia meets China North Korea and Japan
You’ve basically travelled 80% of the way around the world on this trip..so far
I am guessing the dominant Ethnicity is More Oriental out that way ?
Not sure I’m determined to do anything except enjoy the ride. I think you know that’s my only plan 😉
Regarding ethnicities in Russia, it’s a mixed bag. In Kamchatka and here on Sakhalin, I see oriental-like faces, but they are not the majority. Regular Russian causcasian is most common. Here’s a link where you can find a lot of info about ethnic group locations in Russia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_Russia
Interestingly (to me!), in 1990 I was ballooning in Japan, on Hakkaido. At that time, I went to the closest point to Russia, just for a look. That’s the point I’m now approximately 100 miles away from. On that same trip, I flew from Japan to Anchorage, then up to Nome, Alaska. I made balloon flights there, while the Iditarod Dogsled Race was happening. Later, I went out to Little Diomede Island, which I know you know about, and made two separate balloon flights across the border with the USSR, illegally. From there, I somehow was able to charter a flight during that golden time of change and went to Provideniya, in the Far East of Russia, where I made more flights and did not get thrown in jail! Eventually, I traveled to some of the same places I’ve been on this current trip, including Lake Baikal. It was such a different world and Russia was nothing like it is now. Then again, America is now nothing like it was then…
Gold balloon. Born under a wandering star.