Kiev in kiev & Chernobyl

We arrived in the beautiful peaceful city of Kiev and immediately felt at home. I admit that cheap and plentiful local beer did help!
On our first afternoon in Kiev we accidentally stumbled upon a massive police parade/ rally/ display of force. This included what looked like every officer in Kiev, mounted police, military police , fire brigade, tank, even bicycle police! Felt really rather safe!

In 'independance' square there was plenty of evidence of riot damage from last weeks riots about the Russia situation. Including lots of fire damage and a giant tower of banners advertising the conflict.

On our second day in Kiev we decided to use the subway to cross the busy road. It was by pure accident that we stumbled upon a matix of complex under ground shopping centres. This was very inticeing but worryinglying  disorientating and confusing once within the warren of chambers.

For lunch we ate kiev In Kiev, in the afternoon we continued shopping and found fake driving licences for sale in the street! Andy also found two opportunities to play someone else's pianos in the street!

No trip to the Ukraine would be complete without a tour of Chernobyl and Pripyat, so it had to be done. the trip was outstanding in every way. We were astonished to learn about how close whole of Europe came to being inhabitable due to radiation. It really was due to thousands of unrecognised heroes, that that did their duty to work to cover the reactor and prevent further explosions, that the rest of the world is able to live the non radioactive lives that we do. We were both utterly amazed and moved by the experience.
During our visit we were very lucky to see reactor number 4 in its original concrete sarcophagus undergoing works to re-cover it in a new sarcophagus. This is being built next to the reactor, and will be slid over the existing failing structure. We were told that this is the largest movable structure ever made. We also visited Pripyat city (just 3km from the original blast at reactor number 4) and now an overgrown ghost town. We explored a kindergarten, hotel, school, fairground and leasure centre, which could only be described as creepy.