Singing and fireworks in Yalta
After a nearly three-hour flight from Sheremetyevo, Moscow (Russia), we arrived at Simferopol airport. During our stay in Crimea, we had to buy our own SIM cards, as we could not use numbers from the Moscow area code.
About 100km from Sheremetyevo airport, you will reach Yalta - a beautiful city on the Black Sea coast. The scenery along the road is the sea on one side and the mountains on the other side with pretty little houses leaning against it.
While waiting for the red light, a girl stopped her car, opened the window, and smiled brightly at us. It seemed that this smile was enough to become a small joy for us to start our journey.
Yalta is a large city in the Crimean peninsula, located on the Black Sea coast, known as the resort paradise in Crimea.
The Yalta beach has no sand, just smooth pebbles. The water is clear and cool. Along the coast, restaurants and cafes lean against the cliffs. The beach is crowded but does not feel crowded or jostling.
We arrived in Yalta on the occasion of the city's birthday (August 11). So, with the brilliant fireworks in the night sky, people held hands, danced and sang joyfully.
Around the city, small alleys are green and shady, grape vines are full of fruit, and flowers are blooming brilliantly. Ripe apricots look like thousands of tiny orange flowers dotted among the green leaves from afar.
A bus ride with the Crimeans
One of the symbols of Crimea is the Swallow's Nest Castle, also known as the Castle of Love. The Gothic-style castle is perched precariously on the Aitodor promontory jutting out into the sea from the Aurora Mountains.
I loved walking up the wooden stairs, stopping at the window overlooking the blue sea with clear sky and white clouds. And looking at the colorful paintings hung solemnly throughout the castle.
We decided to visit the top of Ai-Petri Mountain - where the shadow of the mountain can be seen from the Swallow's Nest Castle. It took more than three hours to queue for the cable car to the top of the mountain. But the scenery was enough to make the traveler not regret having to wait.
On the top of the mountain, the whole of Yalta is captured in our eyes like a charming landscape painting. In the distance is where the sky and water meet, a deep blue. Below is a green forest, the sky is autumn so the leaves are gradually changing color. We chose to return by car to enjoy the vast steppe, where horses leisurely graze in the sunset.
Along with the beautiful nature, Crimea also touches the hearts of visitors by the friendliness, loveliness and enthusiasm of the people. During the days in Crimea, wherever we went, we were helped and guided enthusiastically with a friendly and hospitable attitude.
On the way to Kanatnaya Doroga station - where the cable car station to Ai-Petri mountain is located, we took the wrong bus number 100 instead of 132. After the bus went around the mountain passes, we asked the driver again and were told that the bus would not go to Kanatnaya Doroga station.
Listening to our conversation with the driver, a Russian couple told us to follow them to the roadside stop and then go back to catch bus 132. The woman was extremely enthusiastic, asking every bus that came if it went to Kanatnaya Doroga stop. After a while, bus number 132 arrived.
They accompanied us on the bus for about 30 minutes, repeatedly reminding us that we had two more stops to go. They also told the driver to let the kids off at Kanatnaya Doroga. The warmth of the Crimean people made me feel like I was in my own country.
Sudden Dawn
Due to personal matters, I had to return to Moscow earlier than my companion. On the day of my return, the taxi driver picked me up at 6am to take me to the airport. On the way, I was amazed at how beautiful the sunrise in Crimea was! The driver asked me about my flight time. Then he silently drove me to one of the most beautiful sunrise spots in Crimea.
He told me to get out of the car to watch the sunrise, he would wait and told me to rest assured because I would still be on time for the airport. I was both surprised and extremely grateful. Then when I opened the car door and got out, I was stunned by the beautiful scene that appeared before my eyes.
I have been to many places and seen countless times the brilliant moments before sunrise, but I have never seen a sunrise as beautiful and peaceful as the one in Crimea. The light spreads out in all directions. People's hearts suddenly light up in the midst of that special moment.
Russians often say that they never get tired of visiting Crimea. And now, I am not surprised to learn that Russians are still traveling to Crimea, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Simferopol airport is still closed and they have to travel by road via the Crimean Bridge.
Goodbye Crimea and don't know when I'll return, but the memories of the days wandering here will always be one of the most beautiful things I was lucky to have in the land of birch trees.
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