20.08.2017

Woke up at 5:00 (27°C in the room), finished packing and showered at 8:00 at the breakfast table. I definitely want to be at the border crossing to Ukraine before the midday heat. Who knows how long it will take today.

From Gomel to the border, it's about 40 km, then another 70 km to Chernihiv. Manageable daily distance.

However, 5 km before the border, I come across a sign. The pictures suggest that there might be a coffee with a view of a lake. Wonderful! 9:30 is an acceptable time for a short coffee break. In the middle of the forest, I come across a stage with extremely loud music and many dancing people in front of it. When I join in, a man comes up to me and asks something in Russian. My standard answer is always 'Sorry, only English' (I don't even bother with German). Immediately, other people who speak English are sought (I already know this, either someone makes a phone call or someone goes away and then someone who speaks English stands in front of me). I have a feeling I have to go now. The summoned English speaker asks me what I'm doing here and I explain everything to him. He tells me that the annual meeting of all employees of a Belarusian bank is taking place here. The people have come from all over Belarus. Cool! We talk a bit more and then the first man comes back to us. The translator tells me that he is the director of the holiday resort (where I am) and he would like to invite me for coffee. Great, he's nice!! :-)

1 1/2 hours later, I am at the border. There are only a few cars in front of me and the border crossing is unremarkably small. On the Belarusian side, it goes relatively quickly. My side cases are searched twice (by two different customs officers) and after a little excitement because I don't understand that they want to see the insurance certificate for the motorcycle (why actually, I'm leaving the country...?!), I can go. But only to the Ukrainian customs. They take a full 2 hours, which I spend in the blazing sun at 32°C in my motorcycle gear, until they finally decide to let me into the country. Of course, not without searching my side cases again (by two different customs officers, of course).

Unfortunately, the roads on the Ukrainian side immediately become much worse. Nasty asphalt bumps, many potholes, and deep ruts require more concentration while driving. Unfortunately, enjoying the countryside comfortably is no longer possible, the next 1000 km will be more exhausting.

Arrived in Chernihiv at 14:30. The hotel is great, with air conditioning, a shower, and Coke in the fridge. I use everything immediately. Later, a city tour.