The beauty of the caves

 We were lucky to visit the caves, which are located in the Crimea. The result of such a trip absolutely staggered us. It is hard to select the coming  words, which could describe in full measure all the beauty of the caves. We had such an impression, that got in so fantastic a world. I have never seen the stalactites and stalagmites before. They are a magnificent, exciting sight, having been created by the Mother-Nature herself. Of course, it is appropriate to note that without human's interference and efforts, which were spent on the research and equipment - the excursion route- railing, lighting, concrete tracks - it would be impossible for numerous tourists to view all the beauty for the first-hand. We visited the Marmorate cave, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful caves in Europe and the Emine Bayir Hosar. The name " Marmorate" comes due to the marmorate limestone . The world of the cave has been created over a long time in a full darkness  with the help of the water. And now, we can get to it. The cold air, wet walls and floor are good , in a hot summer weather,even for an hour, to dip into the cool gloom of the cave ( the temperature around +5C ). The length of the fit out excursion route in the Marmorate cave comes to 1,5 km with a  depth of 60 m.

Egypt

Starting on the trip


It was my first travel abroad and my first flying by plane. Almost 3 years have passed since then , but I always still remember , as though it only happened yesterday. At the beginning of autumn, my husband told me, that we would travel to Egypt soon . It was such a big surprise for me! Since then, I could only think about our future trip. For sure, I worried a lot about this, taking into consideration, that we were planning to travel with a little son. He was only 3 years old at that time. As a mother, I worried about his state of health at the time of flying, changes of the climatic conditions, and many others things. It may sound foolish and funny, but I was afraid of flying. It always is troubling for me, that something might happen the first time I do something new. Nevertheless our trip couldn't wait. Finally, all documents were ready and things gathered. Time to go. It was not a very calm night, as we were driving to the airport , and then we were waiting for registration and passport checking. It took plenty of time for us. My son was tired and sleepy.

At last, boarding was announced. It's not allowed to take a photo on the plane, but we couldn't stop from doing it. And my husband managed to take some of them.
Till now I can remember the appearance of an air hostess and her threatening words about where during a breakdown departure could be found and how to use oxygen masks. I wanted to run down from the plane at that moment.

We had sat near the window. The view was stunning. But to tell you the truth, I couldn't enjoy the view in full measure. I was waiting to fall to the ground, ever since that moment that the plane took off.
Fortunately, all my doubts and nervousness proved to be vain. My son liked the plane and flying. He discovered a lot of interesting things at the time, we were flying. As for me, I am still afraid of flying till now... I prefer land transport more.
After three hours and a half, I became completely quiet. Our plane landed in Egypt.





At that time we looked like we were going to a skiing resort in our winter clothes. And it was at least funny, in such a hot weather.
We passed the passport check , got our visa and arrived at the hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh.








I liked everything I saw there: our hotel, the room, the swimming pool and a large variety of beautiful plants, which smelt beautiful everywhere. The whole environment was very much differ from that locality, from which I came. Even the air, seemed different than my native home.
But the Red Sea was the most impressive. We bought an underwater mask and tube and spent a lot of time watching an underwater world. We got such an opportunity to see a big variety of fish and coral. I have no words, which can describe my feelings in full measure.
My husband tried underwater diving and was delighted with that. As for me, I am not a cowardly woman, but unfortunately couldn't do it and feel sorry about that.


We visited a dolphinarium there and got a lot of enjoyment from that show.

I was surprised on visiting the main street in Sharm el-Sheikh, Naama Bay. There were bright fire and decorations everywhere, like on New-Year's Day. I can describe this place like a centre of entertainment with a large variety of restaurants and small cafes , which suggested you try a water pipe and some special herbal tea , shops ( where you can buy any kind of souvenir) and so on. The aroma from tobacco filled the air, and the Egyptians were dressed in their national costumes and danced their special dances. Music sounded far and wide. I had an absolutely new feeling from visiting such a place.

The Pyramids

Pyramids are considered as " the visiting card" of Egypt. There are more than a hundred pyramids that were discovered in Egypt. Not all of them are big and famous. A lot of pyramids now look like a formless mass of stones.
Still in antiquity, Giza's pyramids were considered as a one of the seven " wonders of the world", but they are able to surprise anyone even at our present day. It is the superior incarnation of the idea of eternity. This mass reminds people, that all around us is just a vanity of vanities. And all that happens is insignificant and fleeting. An earthly life in comparison with the eternity of the pyramids and rocks lasts just a moment.
Giza is the location of the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the "Great Pyramid" and the "Pyramid of Cheops"). This is one of the largest pyramids, which remains of the greatest architectural creations of human hands till now.

The opinion exists that the building of the pyramid lasted more than twenty years. The pyramid was stacked from stone blocks, which were adjusted one to another with unexcelled accuracy. It would be well to notice, that no adhesive ( like cement ) was used in this construction. The realized extent of these works were colossal.

Intensive research of the pyramids continues to this day.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue of a reclining lion with a human head that stands on the Giza Plateau near modern Cairo, in Egypt. This is one of the most grandiose sculptures from all times and nations. This monolith statue stands 20 m long, and 70 m high. This sculpture describes the Pharaoh, which unites in yourself the might of a person, a god and a lion.
The Great Sphinx, which stands guard over the rest of the pyramids on the Giza Plateau in Egypt also has the meaning " The father of fear".

Nowadays he is ill. Time and people did not spare him.

The one-metre-wide nose on the face is missing. There exist a lot of theories and variants about that occasion, but none are certain or reliable as to what had happened in aсtuality.

Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Nikitsky Botanical Garden is one of the oldest gardens. It was founded in 1812. It is located in Crimea, close to Yalta. Its collection counts over 50,000 species, sorts and hybrides. It's a pictorial place , which  interesting to visit at  any season.

The most impressive for me, was the cactaceous greenhouse. 

There are a lot of ponds with a stunning aquatic plants.  You can see and feed goldfishes there as well.

It's easy to meet squirrels there. And if you have some nutlets,  it's such a good opportunity to feed them from your hand.

Amusement for children in the Crimea

As I told you before, our trip was planned for me and my son. And so which kind of amusement would be possible in this way without visiting places, which are intend for kids especially? The Crimea is perfectly appropriate for attractions for children.
There are a large variety of entertainments, attractions and interesting places for visiting.

A Museum " Clearing of the tale"

" Clearing of the tale" this an unique museum of sculpture and applique' work in the open air, a magic planet of the fairy tale. The museum is located not far from Yalta, at a pictorial place in a protected forest. This museum was created by the skilled craftsman P.P.Bezrukov more than 40 years ago. The first sculptures were made from wood. Later, to these sculptures were added works from a large variety of materials, such as: natural stone, acrylic resin, nonferrous metals, concrete, stone, moss and a lot of other untraditional materials.

The museum has been considered as a " child's entertainment" only, for a long time. But now, a large number of tourists, independent of age, wish to visit this interesting place. And it is not so striking. Where else can you see a so- dimensioned and not ordinary "parade" of the fairy tale heroes.

The zoological garden "Tale"

The zoological garden "Tale" is situated at the same place. We have visited the zoo a lot of times with my son, in our native city Nicolaev. But here, I was really surprised. It has a stunning selection and a large variety of sculptures. Compared to the zoo, which we have visited before, I would like to underline, that it has more open-air cages for animals. It is allowed to feed the animals, caress and take a photo, and even touch by hand a tiger cub( in a special place). Unfortunately it didn't have as many kinds of animals, as I had imagined. This is connected with the latest events, which had taken place some years ago. A lot of animals were spoiled as a result of conflict, between the owner of the zoo and an illegal employers around the territory of the zoo.







Dolphinarium

We tried to find a dolphinarium more than once, in the different places. There are a lot of such places in the Crimea. Two dolphinariums in Yalta and Partenit were the most approximate to our place. Unfortunately or fortunately, our attempts were not successful. But then, at the end of our trip , we visited the theater of the sea animals "Aquatoriya". This theater is situated near Yalta, in the open air. My son was present at the show before, at the age of three. But now, two years later, his perception was more deliberate. I can say with certainty, that he had a lot of positive emotions and bright impressions. Different kinds of the sea animals took part in this show, such as: a white cetacean, a fur seal, a sea-lion and a dolphin.




I couldn't even dream of such a "children's attraction", when I was a child. I was pleased because of these excursions together with my son.

Khan's Palace

The next excursion was chosen by me. It was my desire to visit the Khan's Palace,which is located in Bakhchisaray. I heard a lot about this place and it was such an opportunity to see it. Although we didn't stay very close to this town, it was not a problem. You can get anywhere in Crimea by mini bus or taxi. It is easy and quite comfortable in spite of the fact that the road system in Crimea, as well as most of the Ukraine, is in very poor repair . The next issue was the journey with a small kid in hot weather for a long distance. But my desire was much more larger than all these inconveniences .

At last we arrived at the small mountain town of Bakhchisaray, where the Khan's Palace is located.

Evliya Chelebi, the famous Turkish traveler, wrote: "While the wayfarer looks at Bakhchisaray, he is puts his fingers on his lips and loses his thoughts". And so I expected to see something greater...

It is one of three Muslims palaces found in Europe.The Khan's Palace is a rare and gorgeous monument of architecture and art.The Palace was build like an earthly incarnation of a heavenly garden. The general appearance of the Palace has encountered significant changes during two and half centuries. Unfortunately, in the present time it's become just a shadow of the greatness from our past.






































Uspensky Cave Monastery

The monastery is located not far from the north of the town of Bakhchisaray. So we decided to visit this place. We didn't expect to see anything tremendous...but how we were wrong!
Uspensky Cave Monastery created an indelible impression on me. I was amazed. I am not so much a religious person, but I like visiting temples, monasteries, convents and churches as monuments of architecture and art. But this place set me thinking about so many things. Time came to a stop there. I wished to be there, keeping silence and thinking about eternity.

Can you imagine a monastery,carved out of a cliff?






















Think, how much human strain was spend on a creation of so much wonder, taking into consideration, that people didn't have a chisel hammer even at that time. So all was made by hand.

















And what is more, the monastery lies in one of the most impressive landscapes in Crimea.

















This holy place will stay forever in my heart.


After sightseeing the monastery, we went on our way. We had to see Chufut -Kale. Although the greater part of the road was located in the shade, we had to walk around a kilometer downhill along a pictorial market. Actually it was a challenge for us, especially for my poor husband. Just see a man, with a heavy bag in one arm with a kid, sitting on his shoulders, which owed to his passing, all the way, over many temptations for his wife and a little son. As for me , I was ready to buy all those beautiful souvenirs and toys , which were made from stone, wood and other materials. Naturally, my son was agreeable with me. Unfortunately, my husband's opinion was diametrically the opposite. At last we attained the goal.

Chufut-Kale

The "Cavernicolous City" , Chufut – Kale is one of the best, remaining monuments from the medieval cities in the Crimea. This place is located not far from Bakhchisaray, on a plateau with inaccessible precipices. It seems from a distance, that houses are stuck straight to the rock. It looks like an "air city". This stronghold was created by nature with humans strengthening it. It's just a relative appellation, "cavernicolous cities"; city-dwellers lived at ordinary houses at that time and basement lodgments were used for the owner's needs. Aboveground constructions were destroyed time, but caves were discovered. That is why the assumption appeared that people had lived there.

Chufut - Kale was used like a stronghold and a reliable refuge at the time of the internecine dissension for the Crimean khans, because of it's forbidding seat. This place was known also as an imprisonment location for the noble prisoners. In reality, Chufut - Kale had severe conditions for living in, in view of it's location and absence of sufficient water-supply. And so, Crimean khans spent a lot of resources on keeping this stronghold.

The sights and scenery of Chufut- kale are very impressive, even at the present time. Just look at these photos. When you sit at the top of the stronghold, you can see boundless space. It looks like an infinity. In fact, it is an exciting sight.

Our excursion came to an end. It took plenty of time as all those places were visited on the same day. To tell you the truth, we got tired walking. But then, we got an unforgettable impression.