Kherson

August 16, 2011

Morning is my favorite part of the day and I have been waking up early.  I sneak up to the library which is situated on the first desk on the front of the ship.  It has a panoramic view and great air conditioning.  The last few mornings I have not been able to access the internet, which is just fine, I read!

The ship slowly comes to life and it starts with the walkers who walk around the ship.  At first just one or two but as breakfast gets underway, the deck is busy.

Last night, the program director indicated that 30 percent of the staff comes from Kherson, we will see a lot of families coming to the ship to visit bringing care packages and home cooked meals.  Earlier in the week when I toured the Galley, I asked about their employment. All personnel are under contract for 8 months and there is no time off.  I wondered what that must be like, you work 8 months with no time off and then you get 4 months free to re-acquaint yourself with your friends and family, then back to work.  The “Hotel Manager” indicated this was his 7th year with Viking.

Today’s stop was Kherson.  I am not sure why this was a stop.  The city was founded by Catherine the Great (the German Empress of Russia) and is the resting place her lover/husband, Prince Potjomkin.  It is also where the first ship of the Black Sea Fleet, the Glorious Catherine, was launched.  Besides the War Memorial and the resting place of Prince Potjomkin, there wasn’t much to see or do.

What!  No Pierogies?

At lunch today, we had “A Taste of Ukrainian Finger Foods” on the sun deck. I have travelled over 8000 miles and have not seen a single Pierogi (aka Vereniki)!  I thought this must be it, how could you not have pierogies at a taste of Ukraine.  To my dismay, they did not and although everything was very good, I was disappointed no pierogies.  Later in the day, I learned there was going to be a cooking demonstration the following day on how to make Ukrainian Wareniki.

Kabobs with BBQ sauce (like the BBQ sauce I get at my favorite Russian Restaurant, I am going to have to corner the Chef for the recipe.  A chicken sandwich – I noticed that they grind the chicken and then put pack together almost like a burger which they did with the Chicken Kiev.

And one of the contenders in my search for the best Ukrainian Vodka – Nemiroff.  I think I like the Chortitsa a little better.