The exclave Kaliningrad is the weirdest place we’ve been. With Tirana as runner-up. The former Prussian city Köningsberg was almost completely destroyed by the Soviets.
German citizens were expelled after WW2 and replaced by Russians. These Russians weren’t happy in their new home, it seems. It was also very cold. We missed the sunny days in the Balkans. However, we found a good restaurant. The Fish Club, part of Skipper Hotel.
We stayed in Heliopark Kaiserhof. We also visited the Zoo. Was a big bear living there. Can’t remember other animals.
Scary dogs
These kind of hungry dogs near the harbour scared us.
Old railway track
Old railway tracks make good hiking trails.
Rauschen resort
The coast has seen more glamorous days in the German era. Back then the resort was called Rauschen. The new Russian name is Svetlogork. It was raining and everything was in a state of decay. But we could see the potential.
Taxi driver flagged for speeding
Taxi driver flagged for speeding, on our way back from the coast. Police had a point. The driver had mental issues we suspect. Driving like a madman. Spend an hour or so walking around.
Bridge with locks
Typical bridge. In the back, some of the few remaining German buildings.
Street view
We didn’t feel like walking around, after dark. Preferred taxi’s.
Lenin
We didn’t find any paintings of Stalin around. But we found Lenin on some navy ship we visited.
Cosmonaut monument
This monument recognises the achievements of three Kaliningrad raised men who went onto become cosmonauts. Alexey Arkhipovich Leonov, Yury Viktorovich Romanenko and Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev did some things in space.
They weren’t born in Kaliningrad. They moved in as kids with their family, after the Germans were expelled.
Celebrating the Red Army
A big thing in Russia. Felt like walking around on a movie set.
Exclave
An exclave is an enclave, but also bordering to the sea.