Our wish to reach the border on the same day couldn’t be fulfilled. It’s now 1.30am. Slowly we’re approaching the border complex. Dear god in heaven, we’ve already visited the pothole-land for you today, please have mercy and don’t lead us into temptation, but redeem ourselves from the evil long waiting hours at this border !The closer we get, the clearer the situation becomes. Our wishful thinking about ‘ get to the border at night and you certainly don’t need to wait too long ‘ turns out to be a joke. The queue is still endless. We’re sitting there exhausted and horrified, after our 10.5 h journey, waiting for what’s still to come. How come we’ve fallen out of favour like this ? Ron doesn’t respond. He takes his last amount of energy, starts the engine and takes us up to the beginning of the border’s first stage. There are two rows, the left side is for cars only, the right sides for trucks, the middle row is free. Innocently we roll past all the other vehicles and collect one deadly look after the other. I slip deeper and deeper into the passenger seat and almost die, but Ron is wildly determined. Heroically he maneuvers us to our salvation spot , but no one lets us in. There’s some kind of blessing happening, when a border soldier, who’s heavily armed in camouflage, imposes himself for us and pressures the infuriated motorists to let us in immediately. Strike! This action certainly rewarded us with 1 hour less of waiting ! Thank you dear God for letting us wait at this border only for 2,5 hours, hungry, tired, exhausted and with a full bladder. The following insight has subtitles and shows how two innocent souls behave in such an exceptional situation …
For english subtitles, please klick here … and watch this video on my YouTube channel
My experience at the ukrainian – polish border
- If you’re about to pass the border by car, you’re somewhat lost and doomed to wait forever. We were lucky, Russell still runs as a truck and so we could position ourselves in the less packed queue for trucks.
- The ukrainian border officials are cool, friendly and helpful. The polish on the other hand, behave partly like being actors in an action movie. They would interrogate and act out rambo-like.
- It doesn’t matter if it’s night or day, waiting times of 3-4 hours should be expected.
- When you go back to Poland, you almost feel like a serious criminal. Each vehicle will be searched. Everything needs to be opened. The hands of the border officials will reach into every corner of your belongings. That’s why it takes so much time there.
- Being brave will be rewarded
Only 850 km to go
Around 4 o ‘clock in the morning, we finally could close our eyes in Jaroslaw (Poland), on this magnificent parking spot.
Overnight parking spot Poland
The next day, heavenly travel weather awaits us. Bright sunshine accompanies the entire final trip. Recovered and with fresh energy, we can finally dedicate ourselves to a phenomenon between my legs. Somewhere under the rubber mat on the drivers side, there’s a crackle hiding. This sound is also a faithful companion for the rest of our journey and the entire 8 hours left aren’t enough to locate it. Ron’s intrepid, courageous commitment is not rewarded this time, but I finally found a name for my baby! I knew at some point on the way back it would reveal itself … RUSSELL❤️ like, you rattle quite a lot and yes also a bit like Russell (Crowe) my hero and protector. He’s proven it already, the load of adulterated gasoline and the journey through the pothole-land was heroically taken. You rock my baby!! I’m so excited about all that is waiting for us!
Thank you so much
Ron, without your presence and our little cracking up – fallouts, I probably wouldn’t have survived that journey. Presumably I’d rather fallen into one of the potholes under shock after all the excitement. You border-hero, I’m already looking forward to our next trip! 😉
Viktor, you’ve fulfilled my dream of owning a camper. You’ve turned this smelly space into a mini feel-good oasis. I love the arrangement, the colours, the wood, the fabric- just everything about it ! A thousand thanks! GREAT GREAT JOB!!!🙏❤️
Sylvia, thank you for your help with the translations! Without you, this mission would have been a ‘Mission Impossible’👍🎉
Anja, thank you for the warm welcome and delicious food. We really enjoyed the short stay with you at “Saxony Dim”!😋👌
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14 thoughts on “Ukraine we’re coming for you – how I brought my Campervan back home, Part 3”
Valquíria Pires Ribeiro
What an adventure you lived! Now it is finally come safely home and have a well deserved rest. Take care for the rest of the trip. A hug
Pinky Goestohollywood
Thank you ! Yes, I’m so glad we’ve made it ! 🙏😁
Sam
You guys look so tired. What a ride! And what an adventure!
It totally takes me back to this summer. Trying to get back to Belgium in the pooring rain spending hours and hours in Switserland. We have a bagage car behind our car, so it’s max 80km/h al trough swiss. And then that f**** Gothard tunnel. I swear , i was never ever so happy to reach france. Putting up our tents at 22.30….
But no holes in the road or crazy bordercontrol 😉
Glad you brought Russel home safe. Keep them stories coming, love it!
We’re goiing campervanning in Ireland in december, can’t wait.
Pinky Goestohollywood
What a story ! I feel you ! Ireland in dec, wow that sounds great. I wanna go there too some day with Russell.It’s beautiful. I recommend “Dingle Beach”👍😉💚
Sam
We’re starting of in Wexford, say hi to some friends who live there. For the rest i haven’t planned anything yet. Looking @ the map Dingle beach is definetly an option!
Always open for traveling recommendations, thanks!
Pinky Goestohollywood
Very good ! It was a special place for me some years ago 💚
pfefferlesa
Hallo Claudia, was mich interessieren würde… was „kann“ er denn alles dein Russell? Hatten in der Vergangenheit oft Campingurlaub. Vor laaanger Zeit mit Zelt später auch mit WoMo, der erste Urlaub dieser Art (schon einige Jährchen her…) war mit T4 und Vorzelt… zuletzt hatten wir einen größeren Camper. Aber je größer, umso mehr schleppt man mit 🙈… also ich zumindest. Da muss ich noch an mir arbeiten. Aber eines hatte keiner unserer Camper… no TV… des brauch’ i ned im Urlaub. Ich finde die Größe, die du dir mit Russell 🚎 ausgesucht hast genau richtig!☺️ ich muss schon sagen, so ein individuell ausgebauter Camper ist einfach speziell. Nix von der Stange!👍 du schreibst „er bringt sich wenn nötig ganz allein in Fahrt, stromtechnisch“ , d.h.? Er hat Solar auf dem Dach und speichert auch den erzeugten Strom, sodass du ganz autark auch mal länger ohne Stromanschluss campen könntest? Und er hat Gas zum Heizen und zum Kochen, oder? Und ein Portapotti? Das „wild“ campen kenne ich bislang auch nicht. Wenn dann Campingplatz. Bin sehr gespannt wie deine Reiseberichte so sein werden, auch vom Vanlife abseits der Campingplätze, wenn du das vor hast und wie deine Erfahrungen damit sind! Ich wünsch‘ Dir einen schönen Wochenstart 💚 viele liebe Grüße, Sandra
Pinky Goestohollywood
Hallo Sandra, mein Russell hat Solar auf dem Dach genau 😊 Ich werde über meine ganze Ausstattung noch einen extra Beitrag schreiben👍💚😉
Angela
Claudia, congratulations for your heroic enterprise! The destinations most difficult to reach they are those that give more satisfaction and they will stay in the heart forever. Kisses!
Pinky Goestohollywood
Hello Angela, nicely said ! That’s the way it goes ! 👍😉🙏
Dora Mikulášová
All princesses (including Pinky) need heroes to be (by the way, I can not imagine any princess without pastel colors, especially without pink). The hero Ron in “Campervan Back Home, Part 1” (0:55) thought he was a useful idiot, but without him a night trip to the Ukrainian tankodrom would probably not end well. I also do not like turquoise color, but there was no choice for the green seat of the gasoline driver. Viktor is not only an experienced craftsman but also a color. This is rare in men. Petrol greens, turquoise green and pale brown wood and camel-colored hair were a great choice. Russell is the third hero on your way “Pinkygoestohollywood”. Lots of health, happiness, friends and heroes on the way to a filled dream! A trip to the Amazon with a canoe, parrot and Ron will definitely go !!! And write to us about it!
Pinky Goestohollywood
Hi Dora, I totally agree !! 😄👍🙏
lacage
thanks claudia que votre coeur soit joyeux profitez de la neige!super the name of my house pignolette its
Pinky Goestohollywood
👍😉💚