Day two of our weekend in Odessa. We decided that, since we spent the previous day in the town centre and on the northern coastal area, we should explore the beaches in the eastern part of town. So, around midday, we caught the tram to the south-eastern starting point of all this.

I caught sight of a big obelisk, rather like the one in Kyiv's Ploscha Peremohy.







Anyway, we arrived shortly in the fun park that accompanies the beaches of Odessa.







It was only April, and although the weather was reasonable, there were still few tourists around, so there wasn't much life in this place.






But you can just see all the fun you could have! I guess a '4D Cinema' is one of those simulator rides, though I could be wrong. We never tried them (the place was probably closed).






Boo.








Being a big kid, I enjoyed walking around this place, and just wished that we were in the height of summer, when there would be a bit more action around. The red sign above the cowboy's head says 'film attraction'. You can see some of the 'attractions' on posters next to it.




Naturally, these beaches are very popular in summer, and this enormous hotel next to the beach is designed just for that.







There were several very closed-looking places around here.








Like this nightclub, 'Ibiza'.








I'm sure at peak times it'd be a real happening place.








But at the moment, it didn't really feel like Ibiza.








The beach, as you can see, was almost deserted.








Certainly, it wasn't bikini weather, but it was pleasant enough.








The beaches were covered in rocks (and after this woman got some bread out, pigeons).







Looking back from the pier, with that Tower of Babel-esque hotel looming over things, it actually looks rather nice.







Just a shame that we went when nobody else did. We got some good peace and quiet though, I suppose.







As before, there were loads of themed places.








It was all like a big fairground or something.








And this is just scary. On the left you can see 'tir', or 'shooting gallery'. These things are popular anywhere there are tourists - in Hidropark in Kyiv, most places in Crimea, and here of course.









Beaches, restaurants, bars... fun stuff.








You can see the themes being played around with.








Just walking around in the April daytime, it felt like something was really missing.







Not quite the same as winter - when it would obviously be dead - but it just seemed like the weather was here, but the people weren't, so places like this looked like empty shells.






It all looked a little sad, really. I'm sure it's buzzing in summer, though.







We'll have to come back, I suppose.








Our walk continued for some time (in total we walked 8.5km from the tram stop to the pizzaria where we had dinner) but there was plenty to see.






I saw this on a Panoramio photo on Google Earth, so I was delighted when I found it. Shame someone had to deface it.







There are quite a few beaches on the coast of Odessa.








And hills beside them.








It's all rather interesting.








There's even somewhere to practise your climbing.











It's at this point when you realise how big the Odessa coastline really is.







Some guys were riding their BMXs around here, which seemed like the perfect place to do it.







These Soviet-era lifts could take you from the town to the beach.








But I wouldn't risk them, really: they don't look all that safe.








On our travels we found a monument. Not sure what it's for, as usual.











There were some dilapidated buildings over the edge from it, too.








We continued through the big park, where you could also find the stadium, and these huge blocks of flats.







I believe this is to honour the Soviet war in Afghanistan (apologies for the awful focus, I should've taken another).







Given the years there, I can only guess Afghanistan.








Upon leaving the park, we were greeted by the familiar face of Taras Shevchenko. This, of course, is the entrance to the park from the city.










We were pretty tired by this point, but we soldiered on.








I think we'd seen all we wanted, though.








At a crossroads between Polish Street and Greek Street, I believe. Shortly after, we stepped in an Italian restaurant and had a good dinner.






We didn't have to catch our train until near midnight, so we had a few drinks in different places (like the Irish pub in town). We couldn't get in here, as much as we wanted to. It's called 'London', in case you couldn't read it.





Though I think this is pretty much self-explanatory.











After having a couple more drinks in another place, we ran off to the train station to grab our ride home. The train was far more modern than our previous ones, but was impossibly hot, with no ventilation. When we finally got out the following morning at Kyiv station, it was an enourmous relief. Think I prefer the old trains myself.

So there you have it. Join me next time for our next big trip: around the UK. It's a big one, so it'll have to be split up into eight (!) parts.