[CrazyIrish]

@pepe
die idee hat mich schon in misano fasziniert. vor allen dingen nach der aussage "was? ihr wollt auf den roten platz mit euren minis für ein photoshooting? kein problem, wir kennen die richtigen leute" tja, so eine tour ist happig. sowohl vom zeitaufwand, als auch von den kilometern und vom notwendigen budget her. jetzt mal ein paar fragen (ich weiß nicht, in wieweit du dich mit den russen bereits abgesprochen hast)
- findet das treffen definitiv statt?
- wann genau findet es statt?
- in wieweit können wir mit unterstützung von den jungs rechnen, wenn wir den russischen boden betreten (eskorte, hotels, sicherheit allgemein)?

ach ja und noch was: WO BLEIBT DAS CHAPTER BAYERN? ihr wart doch die >deutschland hosts< und hattet auch großes interesse an der aktion bekundet!

HI,
Ja das Treffen findet definitiv statt, ich bin auch im Kontakt mit den Russen, ich will jetzt erstmal alle InfO's sammeln und dann hier aufschreiben , Ich hatte diese Mail von Chris aus Kanada bekommen :
Das aber auch nur zu Info und ein Teil woran man denken muß.
Wann bist Du mal wieder in Duisburg oder ... dann kann man sich ja mal treffen .....

--You need separate car insurance for Russia, arranged in advance from the Russian insurance company, Ingostrakh (their office in Helsinki is convenient for this, since they speak English, and fax to Finland is more reliable than to Russia). If you're going there without friends to issue an invitation, you need to book with a company like Intourist who can book you into a hotel



The road from the border (northern finland) to St Petersburg is notorious for robberies and on arrival at your destination your car will need to be in secure accommodation at all times - you cannot walk away from it unless it is guarded or in a special compound (western cars are a prime target but even Russians remove their windscreen wipers and place them inside the car). But I think we are taking the ferry straight to St. Petersburg

n http://www.tallink.fi/en/index2.html#/en/news/1141.html - this is the ferry company – they say that they go to St. Petersburg but they don’t list it on their map or time table – I will look more.



- A few sites recommend that you travel to Denmark – ferry – then through Sweden – ferry to Finland – drive to Helsinki – ferry to either Tallinn or St. Petersburg.



Maybe the Russians have some advice for us – when you are talking to them about the trip – ask about the ferry, petrol – pricing – time it takes at borders, border tips, etc.



No problem with the hotels – I am sure that the Russians should have a safe house for us for the mini’s while we are in town. And I am sure they have connections to getting us a reasonable rate somewhere but if it comes down to it – I am fine with spending 300 a night.



I will be budgeting to share the costs for visa, ferry, border bribes (must budget – 100 USD), police bribes (must budget for this as well ~ 200 USD), insurance, oil change, new windshield washers (must have a second pair in care before we leave) and driver permits.



My friend that was supposed to join me last time – wants to come as well. He has business connections in Russia. If we do need help or need other things arranged – he can help. This will mean that we have 3 in the car or he becomes the navigator for Lieutenant Dan or someone else.



On the way back from Russia – you can take the ferry system from St. Petersburg to Helsinki to Germany. This will be a quicker and easy route but on the water more – that should be fine for someone in the Navy.