[RAS]

Khabarovsk here we come - The phone rang Weds night and we received our Christmas gift early. We will be leaving on the 23rd of October for Khabarovsk to meet twin boys, 7 months old.
We don't know yet which Baby House they are in. And my wife says that they both have my nose. HaHa.
Anyway does anyone have any suggestions on Hotels and what to do during the off time? I know it is cold there so will plan on that but was not sure what to do or where to stay or where to go!!!!!!
Also what about gift suggestions?
How about the stay in Moscow?
So much to learn and so little time to prepare.
Thank you for your help and prayers.
Ron & Anke

[AlabamaDad2Be]

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to tell you congratulations! Our daughter is in Komsomolsk, also in the Khabarovsk region.

How long have you been waiting for your trip?

[RAS]

Michael - Thanks for the congrats, we started this road in March of this year but due to a "snag" we were put back 2 months. We really like our agency and SW. It is nice to have them in "our corner". We are still waiting for the IA dr. findings but have read the medical report ourselves and did not see anything out of the ordinary. It is a mad rush to get the Russian Visa and time off but it is all coming into place at the last minute.
Thanks again,
Ron & Anke

[Cteal]

Congrats Ron & Anke,

Hope you have a wonderful trip to Khabarosvk. We will be going on trip 2 the weekend of Thanksgiving. We are sooo excited--We will be home just in time for Christmas.

When we were in Khab, we stayed at the Amethyst. We weren't there very long, because we traveled on to Komsomolsk, but it was pretty nice. No elevators though, and if you get a room on the upper floors, it is a little difficult with luggage. They were very nice there and spoke some English. It is within walking distance to Lenin Square. But, it may be too cold to get out.

When we were in Moscow, we stayed at the Ukraine on the 1st trip. It was beautiful on the outside, but the inside needed some updating. It was fine for no longer than we stayed. It wasn't a dump or anything--at all. They had a wonderful breakfast. They had a free tram to downtown, or it was about a 30 minute walk.

On our other 1st trip (long story), we stayed at the Novotel.
We liked it better there, because we had free hotel transfers and a free shuttle to downtown. They also had a good breakfast, but the Ukraine's was better. The hotel is also closer to the airport than the Ukraine, which we liked.

Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I think you are using the same agency as us.

Hope you have a wonderful trip to meet your twins.

Christine

[Ktates]

Congratulations on your referrals and quick travel dates. Hope all goes well from here on out!

[ahnasmom]

Congrats on your twin boys!! Wow!! Have a safe and happy trip!

[jeni-b]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We too are getting ready to go to Kab for trip 1, so I can't speak from experience, but I have talked to our travel agency and done some research on hotels and such. My recommendation would be to stay at the Intourist (English speaking staff) or Parus. they both are highly recommended. There are shops and restaurants in the hotel, so going out isn't a must.

For Moscow the Mariotts are all supposed to be nice.

[marmarcam]

Twins, how exciting! Congratulations!

While in Moscow, we stayed at the Radisson on our 1st trip a few weeks ago. Very nice. King size bed with all the comforts of a US hotel. Blow dryer! Most people spoke English. 3 nice restrauants in the hotel plus a excellent breakfast buffet.

Word to the wise: take washcloths (even the Radisson only had handtowels & towels) a roll of soft toliet paper. Make your Moscow reservations ASAP. We had to stay at a Homestay on our way back because there were no hotel rooms available in Moscow. Hard to believe but true!

Again congratulations! Have a safe and wonderful visit with your sons!

Martha

[knicholson]

Congratulations! We too will be traveling to Khab but during the first week of November and wondered about recommended airlines and destinations? I know that our agency will provide input but am curious what others have used.

[Teri M]

We just got back from our first trip to Birobidjan (flew into Khabarovsk) - We took Dalavia's overnight flight - leaves at 6:15 arrives in Khab at 9am - we are doing the same flight in November when we go pick up our little man!!

TAKE YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER AND PURELL!!! The bathroom is SMELLY with a capital S and the TP runs out 1hr into the flight - (I have never seen people use the b-room as much as they did on the flight - these Russians "P" alot) Also - there are no papertowels in the b-room on the plane - they use a community towel YUCK -

Also - go look at the bathrooms (toilets in Russia) at the airport- you will get a big kick out of it - it is an experience - oh remember to take your rubles to one of the toilets in the arrival terminal....He He - you will see what I mean....

Good Luck!!
Teri

[LHecht]

Knicholson, we went to Khab in July and flew Asiana from LA to Seoul, then on to Khabarovsk. Couldn't say enough good things about Asiana. Excellent all the way. We live in the Midwest and this saved us about 5 hours flight time over the route through Moscow. It was also a lot cheaper.

Best to you,
Lisa

[emjay]

Congrats on your referral! Twin boys - how terrific! Wishing you a safe and wonderful trip.

- Maura

[stern]

Thank You all for your well wishes and kind words!!!

We are leaving this Saturday and are so excited to meet them. To us they are of course the most beautiful little boy's, and it will be so wonderful to meet them.
We will let you all know how our trip was once we get back.
Love,
Ron & Anke