Post: #51

V, how do you deal with your luggage on a long-distance train trip when you travel platskart ? (or kupe for that matter) ...is there a special locked cabin where all luggages are safe ?

The longest train trip I ever did in Russia was from Moscow to Kostroma, and I leaved my luggage in Moscow and travelled just with a carry-on.

I would love to do a long journey in a russian train, but I would also be worried (even in a kupe) about carrying a large amount of cash, leaving an expensive coat on my couch during my boozing visits to the restaurant, ect.

Post: #52

Good question.

In regards to Kupe:
There is no locked cabin especially for your luggage. You have to store your luggage under the bottom bunks in a small space or above the door in an open space. Neither space can be locked so when you are not in the kupe anyone has access to it. Same with the kupe itself, it can only be locked from the inside so if all 4 passengers leave to go to the restaurant car then your baggage is vulnerable. I don't like the set up and always take my valuables with me to the toilet or restaurant. It is not your kupe travellers you need worry about in most probability but possible gopnik opportunist types who are passing through on their way to the restaurant. Having said that I have never had anything taken, ever, so I'm sure you need not be too concerned.

Platskart:
I only travelled it once. I think the open nature of the cart makes things safer in a way as there are lots of people watching your berth. Of course more rough types in this cheaper wagon too so might need to watch out.

I know you travel in expensive clothes Prosal but I doubt this is what a thief would target. I'd be more concerned by losing a phone / ipad etc. My biggest concern however when travelling with my luggage is not it getting stolen but the dirty places I have to store it. The luggage areas under the bunks can be filthy and when you have spent a lot of money on your luggage it irritates me to be constantly worrying that it's getting bashed about and filthy.

Post: #53

Platzkart Hell

http://exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=8407

"Lifes about, shooting your load"

Post: #54

I haven't posted in a while but I watched this video blog so far. Pretty accurate compared to my own experiences. They started with the best part of Russia. I went the other way around (West to East). Would love to do it again.

Post: #55

(06-02-2013 12:45 PM)Vorkuta Wrote:  Good question.

In regards to Kupe:
There is no locked cabin especially for your luggage. You have to store your luggage under the bottom bunks in a small space or above the door in an open space. Neither space can be locked so when you are not in the kupe anyone has access to it. Same with the kupe itself, it can only be locked from the inside so if all 4 passengers leave to go to the restaurant car then your baggage is vulnerable. I don't like the set up and always take my valuables with me to the toilet or restaurant. It is not your kupe travellers you need worry about in most probability but possible gopnik opportunist types who are passing through on their way to the restaurant. Having said that I have never had anything taken, ever, so I'm sure you need not be too concerned.

Platskart:
I only travelled it once. I think the open nature of the cart makes things safer in a way as there are lots of people watching your berth. Of course more rough types in this cheaper wagon too so might need to watch out.

I know you travel in expensive clothes Prosal but I doubt this is what a thief would target. I'd be more concerned by losing a phone / ipad etc. My biggest concern however when travelling with my luggage is not it getting stolen but the dirty places I have to store it. The luggage areas under the bunks can be filthy and when you have spent a lot of money on your luggage it irritates me to be constantly worrying that it's getting bashed about and filthy.

You can always use a steel cable with lock to secure you bags to something. I used this technique all over the world. Mostly in hostels to secure my backpack to a bed frame or heating pipe. Most backpacks have a aluminum frame inside.

I never used this technique in Russian trains though. It's just a suggestion.

In Mongolia two guys in my cabin stole my Ralph Lauren jacket. I went through the whole train to find and possible beat those guys. When the train police saw how furious I was and recognized the possible danger, they accompanied me through the train and searched who ever I deemed suspicious. I had not a clear idea of what the guys looked like since I only saw them for two minutes. The police guys were not gentle with anyone I pointed at.
They later made me a handwritten police report and I asked the provodnitsja (train lady) to put some impressive looking stamps on it. Which she did.

Post: #56

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Post: #57

Thought I'd add a few photos from train trips to give you an idea of what to expect.

First the corridor of the non-dormitory wagons. This is prime game territory as people escape their compartments and stay in the corridor. This is where the only plugs are too so you charge your electronics here.
[attachment=12694]

This is the typical restaurant wagon. This is a good place to meet people and insta-date to but it's hit and miss. One time you turn up and it's full of people and the next as in the photo it's dead. Good date location but remember something, it's bloody expensive! The simple meal in the photo below cost me about $18.
[attachment=12695]

Typical fare in the restaurant car. Not cheap but actually very tasty.
[attachment=12696]

If you are unlucky you will only have this type of food wagon on the train. Pretty shit if you are going on a long journey. I had a 24 hour journey with this wagon. Shite.
[attachment=12697]

Just to give you an idea of the monotony of some trips. This is the view, not a tree or landmark in sight, just endless snow and tundra, nothing to see. You'll notice my protein shaker on the table, this thing saved me a lot of missed meals on long trans-Russian journeys.
[attachment=12698]

Post: #58

The Russian-Asian chicks in Ulan-Ude from Episode 5 are pretty cute.

Post: #59

Soma, they are so cute. And speak Russian. It's a c ombination I find hard to resist.

Post: #60

(06-16-2013 10:45 AM)Menace Wrote:  Soma, they are so cute. And speak Russian. It's a c ombination I find hard to resist.

And rather unexpected, to me at least, in Bumblefuck, Siberia.

Post: #61

(06-16-2013 06:09 PM)Soma Wrote:  

(06-16-2013 10:45 AM)Menace Wrote:  Soma, they are so cute. And speak Russian. It's a c ombination I find hard to resist.

And rather unexpected, to me at least, in Bumblefuck, Siberia.

I knew about Ulan Ude because I met someone from there where I am. However, the question is whether it makes sense to go there if this is the sort of girl you like? Unless I had a lot of time to travel, I doubt I would make it a destination, although maybe in combination with Ulaan Bator it might make an interesting trip.

Post: #62

This series is good and I'm striving to make my own videos at least as close to as good as these. They're not but...I'm working towards this.

On Thursday of last week I needed to go to Phuket for a job interview. So instead of flying, I took the train and the bus.

Below are the videos of what transpired. In episode 2, I meet with a couple of fifty-something Thai women on their way home to see their husbands and give them a hard time about their supposed horniness. None were attractive but they were sitting next to my seat so I didn't care, I was just having fun. I'm speaking in Thai but there are sub-titles. I also show the train's restaurant and toilet...which I unfortunately was forced to use.

Trip to Phuket - Ep. 2




Trip to Phuket - Ep. 1

Post: #63

Episode 5:









Episode 6:










Episode 7:

Post: #64

I rode from Ulaanbataar to St. Petersburg, with long stops in Irkutsk, and Moscow this past July. It was a bitching long trip but full of booze, food, good company, and some cuties along the way. Would definitely recommend.

Post: #65

Make sure you learn some Russian before the trip. I talked with a Russian girl named Sasha for hours. She only knew a couple words in English but I think we had a very good connection the only problem is that she was married.

Post: #66

People are still confusing Trans-Mongolian with Trans-Siberian.
TM is the more common one.

Done both. Highly recommend it.