His 2nd Life

Life is short, I’m gonna live it double!

Bian Yukun Yukun Bian Hollis Bian Yukun yukun.bioHis 2nd LifeMastodonGitHubbianyukun1213@outlook.com
Just a **S**illy **B**oy.

2024 National Day Trip to Vladivostok

https://his2nd.life/en/posts/a14d0940.html

Compared with the name “Vladivostok”, I prefer “海参崴”, because it has “海” (sea) and “山” (mountain).

Bian Yukun Yukun Bian Hollis Bian Yukun yukun.bioHis 2nd LifeMastodonGitHubbianyukun1213@outlook.com
Just a **S**illy **B**oy.
Life Photography

Compared with the name “Vladivostok”, I prefer “海参崴”, because it has “海” (sea) and “山” (mountain).


09-30 Wenzhou Business Hotel in Dongning

I don’t know when did I make my decision to go for a trip to Vladivostok. Maybe two months ago, maybe I’ve never actually made one, just settling things down while daydreaming… Anyway, looking forward to it, fantasizing about it, the National Day holidays are coming, and now I am sitting in a bamboo chair at Wenzhou Business Hotel in Dongning, tapping away at the keyboard, thinking that not surprisingly I’ll be in a foreign country tomorrow.

Woke up early due to neighbor’s renovation, it’s about time to pick up my loads and leave anyway. Got on the train from Harbin to Suifenhe, no silent environment to enjoy as usual. Later I boarded the bus to Dongning, waiting for it to fill up and depart. However, that took me two hours. It’s probably on me that I didn’t choose to take the carpool. But I really resent people actively coming to me and keep bothering me, just to let me pick their services, even though they can clearly see that I’m not interested and ignoring them. So I was piqued, chose to wait for another two hours rather than letting the annoying cab drivers make my money.

While waiting, the bus driver told us about his UFO sighting experience. It was a Mid-Autumn Festival twenty years ago, he stopped on a drawbridge to smoke, looking at the full moon in the sky. There were two stars near the moon, one was nothing particular, but the other one glowed with a reddish light. He just stared at the red star for a long time, suddenly it began to fly away, faster and faster, eventually disappeared. That was certainly an UFO, the driver told us, since no airplane could have stopped there or been that bright!

Without eating anything a whole day, I arrived at Dongning, settled in the hotel I have booked earlier, and then came out to find a restaurant. I wandered along the street with my camera, it was rainy. I don’t know if I was tired and didn’t have appetite or what, the restaurants here didn’t seem attractive to me at all. The street was not bright, with few people, and it was similar to those restaurants, cold lights with few people. I walked around multiple times finally realized, that’s the very loneliness traveling alone to a different city.

In the end, I decided to sit down in a noodle restaurant, despite the cold lights. Near the windows there were two tables of Russian uncles smoking and talking in Russian which I don’t understand. Minutes later came two more. The two knew the people at the two tables. They picked a table not far from me. One ordered a bowl of wontons while another asked for a few dumplings. At first the waiter could not understand what they were asking so he called out his sister (I should call her grandma probably.) who can speak Russian, let her deal with the language problem. They finally understood what those two Russians wanted in the end. The kid from the Malatang restaurant opposite was eating here too. He heard the grandma’s fluent Russian-speaking, seemed to show admiration for her. The grandma told him to study hard to find the world wider, or some words like that. The kid expressed that his grades were not good, had already dropped from the first place to the fifth in the whole grade. The grandma said, then study harder to get the first place back!

After a while she realized, the kid was talking his rank in the whole grade, and he was actually excellent.

The uncles at the two tables checked out, one of them was tall and thin, wearing a hat, high-fived the grandma. Uncle “Dumpling” could not use choposticks and asked for a fork. They also asked for tea later. The grandma added sugar for them.

A couple went into the restaurant. The man ordered a rice bowl with shredded pork and green peppers, and emphasized that he wanted less meat and more peppers. The chief said, why not make him a rice bowl with only green peppers? Well that’s also okay, the man told the chief. So that’s a rice bowl with shredded pork and green peppers but actually with no pork at all, and had you parked your Swordfish II just outside the restaurant?

Before I left, I asked the grandma when could I buy the ticket at the port. She didn’t know either but she said to me she could ask somebody. I went out to buy bottles of water, and the grandma came after me, told me that she had reached a person who sells tickets. But I simply said no thanks.

With beer in my stomach I felt better, started taking photos along the street. I saw a drunk guy being carried into a taxi. And while I was shooting a statue of a child under the street lamp and the national flag, I heard a girl said bye-bye to me. She was riding an electric bike. I smiled to her. “Don’t forget your stuff, it’s right there.” A can of lactic acid bacteria drink was left on the ventilation shaft with a straw. When I realized what just happened and I should thank her, she had already ridden away. That was unexpected, and I was somewhat flattered.

The front of Suifenhe Station, with a large clock and red Chinese characters on the building.
A Chinese flag fluttering beside a streetlight at night.
At the night market square, streetlights are on, surrounded by stalls and billboards.
A Chinese flag fluttering in the night, next to a decorative streetlight.
Inside a restaurant, people are dining at tables, with menus hanging on the wall.
A bowl of noodles, a bottle of beer, a plate of tofu, and chili sauce on the table.
A hand holding a bottle of lactic acid bacteria drink, with a laptop in the background.

10-01 Arrived at Vladivostok

Started heading to Dongning port around four A.M. The driver dropped me in front of a store, telling me that’s the place where I can buy a ticket. There were more people came to here. Truth is, the door still remained closed even after 6 A.M. We found that we could directly to the entrance of the departure hall by going around the left side of the building without having to go through the store. I met a buddy (I’ll just call him “Buddy” in the following paragraphs since I actually do not know his name.) studying history at a university in Tianjing, and girls studying for master’s degrees at Heilongjiang University.

Got on the bus which dropped us at the customs. I was in a queue waiting for passport and visa checks by a short-haired lady. It was also women working when we entered the security check room. One of them said to the lady before me, “包立起来,姑娘。” (“Stand up your bag, girl.”).

Took a snap on the bus then we arrived at Ussuriysk. Buddy, an aunt and a grandma from Harbin, and I, we shared a cab together. The Russian driver asked, “Владивосток?”, me and Buddy answered “Yeah.” at the same time, then we both reacted immidiately, “Da!”. The aunt asked us wanting to know if we both speak Russian. I said “不会啊不会啊” (“bu hui a bu hui a”, meaning “No no, we do not.”) and noticed the driver took a glance at me, through the rearview mirror. I recalled “hui” is a dirty word in their language. The driver actually can speak some English, told us that August is the best time to visit here. We explained that today October first is our National Day, we have a week off from the work to go somewhere else.

In the hostel (There were at least four more Chinese besides me.) I settled. Buddy suggested we look for some place to have a meal. Came out of the hostel I saw an aunt smoking against the wall in the doorway adjacent. We couldn’t find the restaurant Buddy had picked so we asked an aunt for help. The enthusiastic aunt took us around and around for several times, even asked another person, still we couldn’t find the restaurant. Buddy and I thought, then that’s it, we should bother the aunt no more. So we showed our thoughts translated to Russian. The aunt insisted on the contrast, “нет” — what she said after I don’t understand — and led us keep looking for it for another while, failed in the end. Maybe Google Maps displayed outdated info. After expressing our gratitude, we chose to have the meal at the restaurant just in front of us. I ordered a burger and a glass of stout. The waitress who served us was a sweet-looking girl with blonde hair and glasses. Buddy asked me, how shall we say “Thank you.”? “Spasibo.” So we were both looking at her “Spasibo”ing to her with our clumsy tongues, which teased her and made her laugh mildly. We were even considering whether we could ask her to take a photo with us, saying that it’s our first time to Russia blah blah, and we of course would also give her a tip. But it was her time to leave, none of us were bold enough to ask for the photo, and thus we saved the tip to her. At the end it was another brown-haired girl who came to collect the plates and take the money. We couldn’t understand what she said because the words were in Russian, so we used the translator. Before I left, I also said “Do svidaniya!”, noticed she was pleased too. During the meal we also met a group of guys looked like they were from the Middle East. Someone just said “你好吗”. “你好!” I replied, and “Hello!” said Buddy. Later it seemed one of his companions explained to him that when saying hello he should just say “你好” instead of “你好吗”. (That’s because “你好吗?” is actually “How are you?” or “You all right? (You look uncomfortable.)”, and is usually more like the second one than the first one. We supposed he just wanted to say hello since that’s the most common situation for a person who doesn’t actually speak Chinese.)

When we came out, the sky was clear (It was rainy before.) and the sun was about to set. We took photos beside the Pacific War memorial statue and the eternal flame under the bridge. Focus, exposure, composition… None was correct, my photos were as bad as usual. Bought bottles of water at the grocery store, I still remembered to be polite: “Spasibo!” and “Do svidaniya!”.

Buddy was too tired to continue so he went back to the hotel. I went back to the hostel accordingly, but left there again after I organized my stuff, thinking I had to see the Eagle’s Nest viewing platform. Google Maps said it was in repair and unreachable months earlier, but I thought now is the time to check. When I got out of the hostel, found the aunt was still smoking against the wall. And I arrived near the platform. It was still in repair. I took my phone and asked an aunt at the bus stop, wanted to know if I could actually reach the platform. Google Translate was not handy, I couldn’t understand what she said. So she just pointed out the way and I do-svidaniyaed to her. Successfully, I found the platform unreachable in the end. So I just had to pick another angle to shoot the bridge. It was a windy and chilly night, I only tried a few locations before I started to walk back. Vladivostok is full of inclines which are not quite friendly to people have leg injuries like me. When I came back to the hostel once again, I found the aunt had disappeared. Standing in front of the hostel’s door, below was a group of teens walked by, talking about something. There was one holding a cake, on which written the number twenty-two. I was about to say “Happy birthday!” (to whoever…?), but I didn’t say it, just watched them walked away.

And here I am, at the B07 upper floor presidential luxury coffin room, writing my experience today. Oh, I had signed-up for the access of Zажигалка strip club. Buddy let me send him their link, I wonder if he wants to go there too.

Eleven forty-eight P.M., the television playing John Wick 4 in Russian. Before me is a Russian woman wearing purple or gray, looking at her phone and writing on a purple notebook. She almost turned the notebook sideways and wrote with her left hand. We didn’t talk. I don’t know if it’s appropriate staring at her writing. Watch TV commercials and watch her write. A cozy night, but not a common situation to me who is on a trip out of China for the first time. I want to remember the scene and the atmosphere, but I can’t. A young man came in said “你好!” to me, and talked to the woman, seemed to ask what she’s writing.

A rainy outdoor scene with people waiting in front of a building, the ground is wet.
Several people sheltering from rain under an awning, with shop signs visible in the background.
A group of people gathered in front of a building, with birds perched on overhead beams.
A multi-story building with multiple billboards on its facade, several cars parked in the parking lot.
Pigeons roosting on a railing against a gloomy sky background.
People moving in front of a building, with a white van visible on the right side.
Cars lining both sides of the street, with a row of red brick buildings on the left.
A red firetruck parked near a garage entrance, surrounded by trash bins.
A monument standing on the sidewalk, engraved with text and relief sculptures.
A person descending stairs while another stands at the bottom.
A statue at the center of a park, surrounded by trees and street lamps.
Two towering bridge pylons reaching into the sky, with classical-style architecture beneath the bridge.
Two towering bridge pylons piercing the clouds, with Russian flags hanging from the bridge.
A red and yellow telephone booth labeled “TELEFON” on its door.
Church steps featuring a Godzilla-themed mural, with two pedestrians passing by.
A glass of “Irish Black Sheep Stout” beer placed on a wooden table.
Cafe interior with glass-partitioned seating area and exposed pipes/lighting fixtures on ceiling.
A tray holding a burger, bucket of fries, and a dark beer.
A modern sculpture under a bridge, with Russian inscription on its base.
Close-up of bridge structure showing concrete pillars and stay cables supporting the deck.
A gray building with spire-topped roof and side billboards under cloudy sky, cars lining the street.
Harbor area with yellow buoy marked “ДАЛЬЗАВОД”, city buildings and cranes in background.
Busy urban street flanked by European-style buildings, filled with traffic and crossing pedestrians.
Night cityscape featuring a statue in foreground and modern skyscrapers in background.
Billboard showing lion and female model imagery against building backdrop.
Night view of city park with central statue, illuminated paths and trees.
Night close-up of statue on square pedestal illuminated by street lamps.
Night view of urban bridge with traffic flow and distant city lightscape.
Rain-wet street with parked cars/motorcycles and overhead rusty metal structures.
Interior scene with blue Chinese signage on glass door and peeling walls.
A wet square with parked cars and a pink building on the right.
Dimly lit interior with multiple counters and Chinese signage on walls.
People waiting in a passageway with green “Exit Channel” sign at the end.
A muddy river with rocky/tree-lined banks and foreground railings.
Through car window: a small house surrounded by bare trees.
Tank monument with red star emblem, surrounded by grass and trees.
Car window view of residential area with distant buildings and playground equipment.
View through window of worn blue bus stop with trees and utility poles behind.
People walking outside station with luggage, buildings in background.
Street lined with cars, older buildings on left and colorful ones on right.
Entrance to “GLUBINA” capsule hotel with no smoking sign nearby.
Capsule bed with blue-white bedding and curtain partitions.
Room with large bookshelf holding black bags, chairs by window.
Reception area with green walls, white counter with computer, wall clock.
Dormitory room with curtained bunk beds and personal belongings.
Kitchen area with TV on wall, kettle/cups on counter, refrigerator at right.
Dim room with faint window light, containing beds and miscellaneous items.

10-02 Far Eastern Federal University and Cape Tobizina

A bright morning with no clouds, unlike yesterday.

I walked nearby. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (Спасо-Преображенский кафедральный собор)’s bells rang. Went to the train station to buy a ticket for departure, and shot the steam locomotive. The ticket seller at the train station pulled Buddy to the window, used her hands to make a little man walking, and said, “Walk, walk, walk, walk…” (I guess so, I don’t understand Russian.) and showed him the route. Buddy was gathering info because he will leave on October 4th. We called a cab to Far Eastern Federal University (Сувенирная лавка ДВФУ, or FEFU). While waiting, the air raid sirens sounded.

We encountered an uncle at FEFU. He went to Khabarovsk from Fuyuan, and came here on September 26th. Sat at the seaside for a while, we took a photo with two students. On the platform nearby, we met a group of people who were probably middle or high-school students. They wore blue uniforms. Some guy greeted me with “你好!” and I responded “Privet!”. And there was even a guy came to me and said “What’s up?”, and shook my hand like an American black homme, so I responded with “What’s up, bro?”. Behind them were another group of people who wore the same blue uniforms. Among them, a boy wearing red also greeted me. I asked where did he come from. He just expressed embarrassedly that he don’t understand or speak English. On the platform there was a doctoral student from the Faculty of Arts studing in Nanjing and his traveling companions. The person in the Russian group that looked like their teacher asked him to introduce the Nanjing city to them. And then they took pictures together. After said goodbye to the doctoral student and his companions, Buddy and I picked seats at their stadium. Buddy started talking about MBTI. I’m an INTP, and he is an INFJ. We asked a guy near the stadium where can we find the canteen. But he said he didn’t know, because he is a freshman here. He had Ayanami Rei and Asuka charms on his backpack. When asking for directions we said hello to a student whose home is in Azerbaijan. We met a couple who were also looking for the canteen. Both of them were medical students, and the guy’s home is in Weifang, Shandong. We together found an uncle sitting in a car who was glad to help us find the canteen. He pointed it on the map nearby, but it’s not in the Building B we looked up on the website. We were lucky enough to find an international student who led us to the canteen in the a hotel, and paid for us with his card. Seemed that the Building B canteen was only available to students or employees here. The international student’s home is in Zibo, Shandong. He only has two chances to come back home per year, once during the summer vacation, and the other during Spring Festival. The campus here is so large that they have to wait for the bus to go to the classroom thirty minutes before class begins. And a session lasts for one and half an hour. More often than not there are four classes a day. Freshman and sophomore year was a challenge, because there was a caculus teacher who is extremely strict that only a Chinese and a Vietnamese from a class of thirty people passed their exam. Living here, you’ll find Vladivostok’s infrastructure sucks, and when you go back to China you’ll feel like going back to the modernized society. And every time you go back home you’ll gain one and a half kilograms weight. He also hadn’t used cash for a long time. Russia also developing payment systems that utilize QR codes printed on the receipts now. In Russia, where education is compulsory for twelve years, students also learn English. (I asked if they learn English.) He also showed us the notice FEFU sent earlier, told students that there would be an air raid siren today because of a drill. The girl in the couple selected a cutlet and it did not taste good. The international student said he only selects chicken wings or something that he can tell what it is, and he doesn’t dare to select foods that he can’t tell because he knows they taste awful.

Said goodbye to the international student and FEFU, we four took a cab to Cape Tobizina. Some people wearing the Chinese flag were taking photos there, as if they were about to reconquer the East back. Buddy said if someday I plan a trip to Tianjian, just look for him, but he will only be available before his graduation in 2026. A girl and a couple asked me to help them take photos.

When we were heading back, we couldn’t call for a cab. Buddy caught a ride, see if we can pay them to bring us back to the city. It turned that the two people in the car can speak Chinese. They were both doctoral students at Northeast Forestry University. One’s home is in Vladivostok and another’s is in Peru. I listened in the car. They communicated with each other in English, but they both spoke Chinese to us. In the car played Chinese songs like “刚好遇见你” and “平凡之路”. The Peru brother seemed talking to his nine year-old daughter. Buddy wanted to go to Ogonëk instead. The Vladivostok sister said it was good, but not cheap. And she recommended another hot restaurant called Супра (Supra). That’s the one that makes Georgian food. Buddy planed to eat there tomorrow. When we arrived, Buddy paid the Vladivostok sister a thousand.

We ordered two dished and a king crab at Ogonëk. The waiter said sorry, the crabs were sold out, and asked if we could change to another dish with crab meat. Buddy agreed. I said to Buddy with smile, that we were here for a whole crab, if it was not available then maybe we should leave. Buddy kept rubbing his forehead, seemed anxious because of my words. Luckily the waiter came back with a crab, said “Things changed.”. So we ate the last one. The environment was dark and I was tired, wanting to sleep. The king crab doesn’t look very attractive in the photo because of the dark environment, but 1.7 kg is indeed very filling.

When we left, I asked Buddy, the Vladivostok sister — named Olga (Ольга) judging from the display on her car, really asked only a thousand from you? I heard it was one and a half thousand. I meant, did we just give too little and take advantage of others? Buddy let trust him. Besides, they had said that it would be based on taxi fare, and he checked estimated cost on the app, also about a thousand. Of course that was before we made a change to the route. I thought, okay, maybe I heard it wrong? Maybe, “你就付一千五吧” was actually “你就付一千卢布”? Or, Olga just decided to let us go thinking we were tourists here? There is no way to find the answer. At the restaurant I was considering, is there a way to contact her to confirm? I don’t want to take advantage of people who helped us. But I can’t contact her. If luckily we meet in Harbin, and she recognizes me, I will aske for confirmation. But that’s basically not gonna happen. I don’t want to invade her privacy by looking for clues on the Internet like a perverted voyeur. Or how should I explain to her? I’m a fucking holmes?

Buddy and I agreed to meet at eight o’clock tomorrow. I’ll pay back the money Buddy paid for me, then we go to see the lighthouse. At noon I’ll go to the shooting range to shoot.

A blue car parked on a slope, facing left side of the frame.
Golden church dome and cross standing out against blue sky.
Three church towers with golden domes and crosses under clear sky.
Large church with multiple golden domes, person standing on front steps.
Three golden-domed church towers under blue sky with clouds.
Square filled with pigeons, large building and statue in background.
Statue standing in square with multi-story buildings behind.
Square featuring fountain, statue holding flag, and surrounding buildings.
Square with fountain, flag-bearing statue and architectural structures.
Red train parked at platform next to gray railway car.
Large building marked “Почта России” with antennas and clock on roof.
Building partially obscured by trees, “Почта России” sign visible, glass dome structure on right.
White building with red Cyrillic “Владивосток” sign and central clock decoration.
Black steam locomotive with red star emblem, modern buildings in background.
Monument placed before steam locomotive, protected by chain fence with trains parked alongside.
Double-headed eagle sculpture on stone pillar marked “9288”, train platform in background.
Steam locomotive displayed outdoors with red star emblem, orange-clad person standing nearby.
Lenin statue in square with skyscrapers and trees in background.
Car window view of bridge with moving traffic under clear sky.
Three white buses marked “FEFU ДВФУ” parked on slope.
Two people sitting on seaside walkway with small boat sailing in distance.
Person sitting on beach facing sea with anchored boats in distance.
Bridge spanning sea with bird floating on water below.
Crowd gathered at dock with large ships visible in distance.
Group in blue clothing posing for group photo with sea and buildings behind.
Soccer field flanked by blue seats and multi-story building in background.
White domed structure on grassy area with people moving around.
Backpacker walking toward modern building.
Sign reading “Sports Center” before orange-white building.
Black car driving on road with white buildings in background.
Modern building featuring circular platform structure on roof.
Distant buildings surrounded by green vegetation under clear sky.
License plate M720CM 125 RUS lying on ground.
Blue sea and cliffs under partly cloudy sky.
Blue sea and cliffs with blurred plants in foreground.
Blue sea and cliffs with rocky foreground.
People walking through silvery grass field.
Blue sea and cliffs with silvery grass in foreground.
Clear waves hitting rocky shore with green vegetation.
Boat sailing on blue sea leaving white wake.
Fox standing in dense bushes among green vegetation.
Small boat moored near cliff in deep blue sea, mountains in distance.
Bespectacled person standing at cliff edge with dark blue sea and rocks behind.
Two boats anchored in deep blue sea near rocky coast.
Adult assisting child in blue jacket and gray hat climbing hillside.
Two boats sailing on deep blue sea with rocky foreground.
Wooden signpost showing city names/directions with sea and sky backdrop.
Two people standing before directional sign listing multiple cities/distances.
Signpost with city directions above box filled with coins/mementos.
Waves crashing on rocks with white spray, distant clouds on horizon.
Graffiti-covered rock featuring red pattern and letters.
Metal tower on grassland with helicopter flying nearby.
Purple flowers with slender petals and yellow centers amid green leaves.
Elderly person sitting on swing facing sea with distant island.
Orange sign with Cyrillic text at seaside cliff.
Group examining outdoor map showing blue/green zones.
Tray holding fried rice, vegetables, tea, and utensils.
Four people at dining table with food/drinks, one using phone.
Modern roadside building with billboard and flags.
King crab legs on silver plate with lemon slice.
Two people standing seaside with distance sign behind. Left person wears brown jacket/black pants, right in light jacket/blue jeans.
Four people by sea: bespectacled person in brown jacket; blonde in blue shirt; thumbs-up person in light jacket; brunette in dark top.

10-03 The Tokarevsky Lighthouse, Fireline, Supra, Watching Proformances on the Pedestrian Street

We visited the Tokarevsky Lighthouse. A lot of sea stars can be found around the lighthouse. People holding sea stars and taking photos.

Took a cab to the Fireline shooting club. I mentioned I was a client of Zhao Hui and got a discount. I have already made an appointment for the Great Weapon plan which contains Saiga Carbine Model 030 SOK (based on AK-74), Glock 17 Gen.5, and Saiga-9 sp. 42 LOT Yarovit 9×19 caliber. The coach spoke English so I had a good conversation experience. I finished the shooting after a while. They recorded videos for me while I was shooting, and eventually signed me a certificate.

Then we headed to the Супра that makes Georgian food. The staple food looked like a gaint glutinous rice ball with a filling in it. It should be flattened and rolled up to eat, and tasted like a Chinese pancake with the filling of a Chinese meat pie. Buddy also ordered a “dumpling” but it looked like a Shaomai or a Baozi. He thought there were four per serve, but there was actually one. He said this chicken filling one tasted like chicken and salad. He didn’t like it so just left it. I personally can’t get used to the taste of pork and lamb chops because the spice flavor was too prominent. They had the anise flavor. I still can’t get used to it even though I actually like anise. There was even a performance where waiters and waitresses walking around the field while shouting, putting a hat on a random person and passing the person a horn cup to drink with. The waitress who was serving us was quite pretty. Actually all the waitresses here were pretty, with the same makeup. I was attracted not by the foods but by the waitresses. The waitress poured us drinks as long as she found our cups not full. For that we kept saying spasibo embarrassedly. When we were checking out, she showed us a picture which was a note in Chinese saying if we were satisfied with her service please tip ten percent or something like that. We of course gave her the tip and went back to respective hotels. Buddy was exhausted, he will directly take the train to Ussuriisk tomorrow morning.

I went out and took another walk by myself. Firstly I went to the C-56 Submarine Museum (Гвардейская Краснознамённая подводная лодка С-56, Музей), happened to run into a group of kids who looked like elementary school students coming to visit with their teacher. The narrator was explaining to them probably something about Russian submariners, which I couldn’t understand anyway. Some kids greeted me with “你好。”. When they left I also finished my tour, and waved to the kids, saying ”Do svidaniya!“.

Near the train station I encountered Russians offered to greet me. They were Gregory (Грегори) and Andre (Андре). Gregory was a welder in the shipbuilding industry. We shook hands and took pictures.

Then I went to see the statue of Lenin. And then, Primorsky State Art Gallery (Приморская государственная картинная Галерея). It was almost closing time and I was the only tourist. I saw a dumb robot rumbling at a dark corner so I went there to check it. An aunt in the room said something, probably said that the robot was not working well, then cut off its power.

I was wondering if I should pay a visit to the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Собор Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы), but I was tired, so I went to the pedestrian street instead, and found that there was a band playing. When they were performing “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” I even sang along, whether it was good or bad I didn’t care. Then came a girl speaking to me in English asking for donation, so I gave all my change, maybe fifty or sixty rubles, or even less. I wanted to talk to her, to ask if they were students, but I didn’t seize the opportunity, she left hand in hand with the drummer. I was also wondering should I donate them one handred yuan, but the drummer left and some people left so I left. And I found there was another guy playing the guitar and singing. My battery died recording him.

So I came back to write my blog post. My Chinese roommates were talking about ruble exchange and return trip. I checked there were at least eight other Chinese. This room was mixed with men and women, perhaps all came here because of the low price. All the people were well-mannered, didn’t cause trouble to others, and quite all the time. At least that was the impression.

I plan to go to the strip club Стриптиз-клуб Zажигалка later.

And I failed. They didn’t let me in, so perhaps I will watch the performance in my dream. When I opened the door they even laughed at me and told me to go back using gestures. I thought I went to the wrong place, but then confirmed I didn’t. I saw some Russian guys before me had entered. So I went inside the door again and asked “Is it open?”, the guard said it was open but still let me go back. He then explained to me in Russian and showed the translation on his watch, something like “It is closed today, for special maintainence.”, so I just left. I think in any culture “closed for special maintainence” is basically politely telling you “you are not allowed to enter but we won’t tell you the detailed reason”. Alright, there’s no point keep asking, which would only piss the guard off. No big deal, I still have opportunities in the future.

After I went back to the hostel, I started chatting with the three Chinese guys on my left. They were all college students. The one just besides me was from Shanxi, and the one on his left was from Shannxi. There was also a guy from Changchun in the living room. He played well with a Russian buddy here, even fist-bumped each other.

A person wearing headphones and glasses aiming a rifle at an indoor shooting range.
A person sitting on an outdoor bench with the storefronts of Gelateria and Helsy visible nearby.
Buildings with Russian signs on the street, including “BURO STORE GIFTS”.
A person sitting on a bench using a phone, with a mural of two suited figures on the wall behind them.
Two people standing on a balcony surrounded by potted plants and string lights.
A shop window displaying various artworks and souvenirs, including paintings and sculptures.
A pink plastic chair placed by the roadside with scattered trash nearby.
An advertisement for baby food is posted on the exterior wall of a store, with an air conditioning unit hanging nearby.
A golden-domed church surrounded by trees and lampposts.
A white spire building with the Russian flag flying at the top.
A white and blue boat docked at a pier with a large warship in the background.
A green submarine displayed in a park, surrounded by trees and monuments.
The tower of a suspension bridge reaching into the clouds, next to modern buildings and greenery.
The Russian flag flying atop a building with utility poles and lampposts in front.
A green submarine displayed in a park, next to a church and a person riding a unicycle.
A pink church with a memorial plaque from 1941 in front, surrounded by green trees and sculptures.
The tower of a suspension bridge reaching into the clouds, next to a red-roofed building.
A pigeon standing on smooth ground with pedestrians and vehicles in the background.
The interior of a museum displaying historical artifacts and photographs, with flags hanging on the walls.
A display case in a museum showing historical artifacts, photographs, medals, and certificates.
A watercolor painting depicting a submarine with two people standing on its deck.
Three old documents and a photograph of a soldier hanging on the wall.
A group of students in uniform listening to a woman giving a lecture.
A model of a submarine placed inside a display case, surrounded by various exhibits.
A protective suit and gas mask hanging on the wall, next to photographs and documents.
A poster reads “Motherland is calling!” featuring a female figure, with a golden statue in front.
The display case contains military photos, maps, and other historical artifacts from World War II.
A Soviet flag hangs on the wall, next to photos of submarines and soldiers.
An open circular hatch reveals some internal equipment.
A narrow corridor with various pipes and equipment on both sides.
A mechanical device composed of red valves and pipes, with a dashboard in the background.
Complex machinery with multiple knobs and indicator lights.
A circular hatch through which internal equipment and pipes are visible.
A mannequin dressed in naval uniform stands in the room, next to a bed and a painting.
A young boy dressed in naval uniform stands inside the cabin, with a portrait hanging on the wall in the background.
Green torpedoes and other equipment hang on the walls inside the submarine, with several people observing around.
A person operates a red valve inside the submarine, with others watching around.
A circular hatch inside the submarine, with a blue object in the foreground and various equipment in the background.
Shelves are filled with various souvenirs, including hats, cups, and decorations.
A table displays various souvenirs, including metal statues, coins, and books.
A group of children dressed in naval uniforms stands in front of a submarine, with a clear sky in the background.
Children line up in two rows, the front row squatting and the back row standing, with an adult nearby.
The submarine is marked with the letters “C-56”, surrounded by green plants and streetlights.
The submarine is docked by the shore, with tall buildings visible in the distance.
A modern building with a facade made of glass and white materials, topped with a red roof.
A golden statue stands on a pedestal, with a plaque at its base and multi-story buildings in the background.
A large submarine is docked by the shore, surrounded by trees and buildings, with a suspension bridge in the distance.
A church with a golden dome, surrounded by trees, under a clear sky.
The street is filled with many vehicles, with a church with a golden dome ahead, and a suspension bridge in the distance.
Several boats float on the sea, with the city skyline in the background, including skyscrapers and cranes.
The top of a modern building features large red letters spelling “ВЛАДИВОСТОК”, against a backdrop of blue sky.
A roadside newsstand filled with various magazines and newspapers, with cars parked outside.
A Lenin statue pointing into the distance stands in a square, surrounded by trees.
A Lenin statue pointing into the distance stands in a square, surrounded by trees.
The exterior wall of a building bears the “FESCO” logo, next to a yellow building.
The top of a building is decorated with two white statues, in a classical architectural style.
A church with a golden dome, with multiple cars parked on the road ahead, and a suspension bridge in the distance.
A church with a golden dome, with many vehicles on the road ahead, and the sky glowing with dusk colors.
The exterior wall of a building is hung with many small light bulbs, with Russian text signs, and a blue road sign nearby.
A group of young people performs music on the street, with people stopping to watch.
A street decorated with yellow lights, flanked by trees and buildings, with people strolling or sitting.
Buildings are scattered on the hillside by the sea, with a dock below where several boats are moored.
A bird flies over a rocky beach, with calm water and distant buildings in the background.
Large rocks along the coast are painted pink and yellow, with a blue boat in the distance.
Many houses are built on a small hill, with a tranquil body of water at the foot of the hill.
A stone pier extending into the water has a lighthouse, with some people walking around.
A giant rock is painted with a simple stick figure, with a lighthouse in the background.
A rock is painted with a pair of eyes and Russian text, surrounded by scattered pebbles.
A white lighthouse with a red top, with two people sitting on a bench nearby.
A pink starfish lies on a beach covered with green seaweed and pebbles of varying sizes.
A tidal pool filled with purple starfish, surrounded by rocks and green seaweed.
A person holds a purple starfish in one hand and a phone in the other, with blue seawater in the background.
A speedboat travels across the water, with a suspension bridge in the distance and vehicles passing on it.
A white lighthouse with a red top, with two people sitting on a bench at the base of the lighthouse.
A boat sails on calm waters, with mountains and flying birds in the distance.
People stand by the rocky coastline, with rusty metal posts in the foreground and seated figures in the background.
A body of water seen through a rusty square frame, with boats and mountains in the distance.
A large cargo ship is docked at the port, surrounded by cranes and buildings, with seagulls floating on the water nearby.
An indoor scene with many trophies and certificates hanging on the wall, two people behind a table with some equipment on it.
A modern building with a glass facade, two pillars at the entrance, and a person standing nearby.
The street has buildings and vehicles, with a gray car on the left and colorful murals in the distance.
A large mural on the side of a building depicts a hat-wearing figure with Russian text beside it.
Two people are walking out of a doorway decorated with flowerpots and pumpkins, with clay pots hanging above.
The restaurant interior is decorated with colorful tapestries, a waiter preparing food, and customers seated at tables.
The walls are covered with white plates bearing messages, and there is a green sign above the door.
A large loaf of bread, a bowl of salad, and a glass of red beverage are on the dining table, with someone sitting in the background.
Grilled skewers, ribs, salad, and a glass of red beverage are neatly arranged on the dining table with utensils.
Three people stand outdoors for a group photo, with water and distant city buildings in the background.
A museum display case contains three sets of traditional costumes, including fur coats and accessories.
An oil painting in a frame depicts a herd of reindeer running across a red field with mountains in the background.
A painting shows a serene natural landscape, with a winding stream in the foreground and lush grasslands leading to rolling mountains.
Two paintings hang on a green wall; the upper one depicts snowy trees, while the lower one shows a mountain stream in autumn.
Four paintings hang on a green wall: the top-left depicts a river in the snow, the top-right shows a seaside village, the bottom-left presents a mountain river, and the bottom-right illustrates an oasis in the desert.
Four paintings hang on a green wall: the top-left depicts a mountain river, the top-right shows people in waves, the bottom-left presents a seaside house, and the bottom-right illustrates a frozen river.
Three paintings hang on a green wall: the top-left depicts a lake with mountains, the top-right shows vast plains, and the bottom-left presents a mountain river.
A painting depicts a mythical scene with three nude figures, a woman surrounded by two men, with other figures and animals in the background.
A painting depicts a man in a black cloak and top hat standing sideways, gazing into the distance.
A painting depicts a muscular man fighting another fallen man, with red fabric fluttering in the background.
A white marble statue depicts a semi-nude woman wearing a headscarf, her right hand on her chest, left hand hanging naturally, with a pair of sandals at her feet.
A circular framed portrait depicts a bearded man in a red military uniform.
A woman in traditional attire sits before a red tablecloth, wearing an elaborately decorated headscarf.
A female statue stands bare-chested, wearing a long skirt, necklace, and headdress.
A painting depicts a night view of Venice’s canals, with brightly lit buildings along the water.
A painting depicts a riverside scene, with small boats docked along the shore, distant trees, and clouds in the sky.
A painting depicts a coastal sunset, with rocks, sandy beach, and calm sea.
A robot with glowing eyes and mouth, and a display screen on its chest.
A painting depicts a storm at sea, with two ships navigating turbulent waters.
A painting depicts a city nightscape, with a river, boats, and distant urban architecture.
A painting depicts a winter countryside scene, with a stream, bare trees, and snow-covered ground.
A painting depicts a river in a valley, with tall pine trees and distant mountains.
A framed oil painting depicts a mountain scene, with several people and horses in the foreground.
A framed oil painting depicts houses by the water, with red trees and docked boats.
A framed portrait depicts a woman in a green dress sitting in a chair.
A poster reads “Russia-China: Photographic Dialogue,” dated October 9-27, with dragon motifs and bridges in the background.
A nighttime square features a church, monument, and streetlights.
A neon-lit street at night shows buildings and a black car.
A road sign with arrows indicating directions is covered in graffiti and stickers.
A phone screen displays multiple Chinese chat records.

10-04 The Dome

This day I didn’t write the post, now it’s October fifth. But I kept things in my note app, so here here is the summary and supplement of the notes.

I was sad. Thinking of leaving this city, I was sad.

In the morning I took a look at the guns in a hunting supply store. I have already tried AK-74 which is twenty-seven greater than AK-47 yesterday so I didn’t spend money just for a photo holding an AK-47. I entered Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral to look at its interior, and then bought some postcards at the ВладГифтс gift store.

I heard a coin dropped when I was at the entrance of the underground passage. So I picked it up and wanted to return it to the owner. But I stopped halfway because I wasn’t sure it was dropped by that person, and I was afraid I would return it to the wrong person. Nobody came to me for the coin, probably they didn’t notice or care.

After that, I visited Museum of the History of the Far East (Музей истории Дальнего Востока имени В.К. Арсеньева), the Fortress Museum (Владивостокская крепость), and Museum of Antique Automobiles and Motorcycles (Музей Автомотостарины), also walked around the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When I was in the cab to Museum of Antique Automobiles and Motorcycles, I saw a tram on the road. When paying the fee, the driver wanted to leave me his number to let me transfer the money. I explained that I was a tourist, could not use online payments, only the five thousand rubles cash available. So the driver had no choice but to turn over the seat and search his pockets to give me some change.

And then I went to the cemetery near Сфера, Смотровая площадка (Let’s just call it the Dome.). I feel like it was inappropriate of me taking photos here. I was a tourist who do not understand Russian at all, so I wouldn’t know the life and background of the deceased here. I was just looking for special tombstones and taking photos, that was indeed inappropriate. After that I went to the Dome, encountered Zhenya (Женя) and his fellow on the back seat of the motorcycle with a helmet. These youngsters came to see the Dome, didn’t care to ride the motorcycle loudly near the cemetery. Zhenya came to me, Ni Hao, Xie Xie, Zai Jian, we fist-bumped. At the Dome I saw the most beautiful sunset of Vladivostok. Sunlight went though the tall grass, in the distance is a diagonal bridge, a couple sitting close on a log, the Big Dumb Object on my left was warmed by the sunlight with graffiti spread inside silently waiting for and watching at the people came to enjoy the beautiful scenery. People’s steps formed echoes bouncing in the Dome, unnecessary for the graffiti to respond, for they’ve already been doing it for years. I left the Dome eventually and met three girls. I said privet to them, and also said “It’s beautiful up there.”. They seemed only understood the word “beautiful”, said something I didn’t understand and laughed. Maybe they thought I was calling them beautiful. Anyway, them seemed to say something to me, but when I was about to catch up with them to ask them clearly, they seemed to quicken their pace and didn’t want me to catch up.

I took a cab to the Калина shopping mall to buy something to take home. I wanted to buy Kvass, but it seemed sold out. I asked the aunt at the butcher shop nearby and had no idea what she said. So she came out to led me, stripped over my shopping basket and spilled the goods on the shelf next to her. I couldn’t say anything but “Pozhaley!” (пожалей, I was misled by the translator, this word actually does not stand for “sorry” or “apologize” at all.) and helped her up. Didn’t find Kvass in the end.

Coming back to the hostel with a big bag, the driver asked me “Китай?”“Tourist?”“Russia very good?”“China good? Russia good?”.

I’ve walked so far this day, too exhausted to feel sad. I haven’t eaten anything so I grabbed two beers, a slice of bread, and a sausage, found a place around the Revolution Fighters Square to enjoy my beer. It was about ten o’clock, the fountain light show playing in front of me. I was enjoying the last time at Vladivostok, chilly. One of the two aunts on my right came to me asking why was I here alone not going back to the hotel, because it was cold and dangerous here and not all Russians are friendly. I appreciated them for their care, explained I am to leave here tomorrow and I wanted to take a last look at here. Finally finished my beer and it had become really cold. I was wondering whether I should join the bottle rolling game of the teens on my left (Actually they were in the same direction as the two aunts, but I had turned around.) with my empty bottles. However, the polices came to drive away the teens after a while. I saw the aunts still wondering on the square so I ran to to them to say thanks, explained I would be returning to the hotel soon.

They said they saw me drinking lonely so they decided to remind me. We talked about my age, reason to come here — to enjoy my holidays and pay a visit to FEFU, my occupation — programmer (They kiddingly asked me if I was a spy to collect Russian secrets, and I confirmed that.). I also mentioned my hometown Harbin, the city president Putin visited months ago. The aunt with glasses told me she wanted to describe her stay in Japan to her friend. I interpreted text displayed on her translation app into English, it was at that moment I realized she undertands English, and she would translate what I said to another aunt. She also mentioned her travel experience to China or Harbin in 2007 where she ate roast duck. She asked my age and the other aunt said I was young. Still this one with glasses, she told me she was a teacher. It seemed she came here on business. I asked her, was she kind of tourist here, actually I meant she wasn’t local here. She has a forteen year-old daughter and she showed me her picture. Her daughter is beautiful for sure. I suggested we take a photo together. And then, the aunt asked my name and wanted a greeting to her daughter. So I said, “Greetings from Harbin. I hope you have a greate life and enjoy your life.”. After that I explained I was not good at expression and I was not an outgoing person. The aunt recorded a video to convey my wish. I then consulted about the pronounciation of the word “здравствуйте”. She taught me syllable by syllable. That was really good experience. Then she asked would I want to go back here next time, or something like that. I said maybe one day I would pay a visit to here again. The aunts let me go back to the hostel I lived then, so I said “Do svidaniya!”.

I don’t feel any lost or pity at all.

Pretty eager to find someone else to talk when I was drunk. So I chatted with the Russian guy in the living room. He was not a student, nor he was a tourist. He came here to take a look at his grandma. I told him I would be leaving tomorrow, and I enjoyed my stay here. He shared a tea bag with me. He asked, why I looked sad. I said in the morning I was indeed sad, but I was sad no more. I’ve had a full four days and that’s good enough for me. He then asked, would I learn Russian in the future. I said, sometime in the past I did try to learn Russian but eventually gave up. Maybe in the future I will pick up the learning again. My hometown Harbin, there are a lot of Russian style buildings there, and many of them were initially built by Russian. I also said in my opinion, men in Russia are handsome and women are beautiful. And you are handsome. I asked for a photo together, saying that I enjoyed my time here, and you were always kind to others, and I will be missing you when I go back to China. In the end, I learned Russian “good evening” from him, and said that to him, explaining I have to pack up my stuff for the departure tomorrow.

A golden-domed church surrounded by trees and buildings. In the foreground, there is a building with communication equipment installed on top.
A display cabinet showcasing various firearm accessories, with a red background. In the center stands a knight model wearing armor.
A display cabinet showcasing various firearms, each with a price tag below. A deer head specimen hangs on the right side.
A display cabinet containing various firearms, each with a price tag beside it. There are small objects on the counter.
A display cabinet showcasing various handguns, each with a price tag beside it. There are small objects on the counter.
Many firearms hang on the walls inside the store. Two people stand in front of the counter, one holding a rifle. Gun bags hang from the ceiling.
A display cabinet showcasing various firearms, each with a price tag below. Gun bags hang on the right side.
The store’s display cabinet contains various firearms, while animal specimens, including deer and bear heads, hang on the walls.
A decorative board displaying bullets arranged in the shape of a deer head, with a hunting supplies store in the background.
A taxidermy duck stands on a glass counter next to a rifle, with various firearms and equipment in the background.
Inside the church, golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling, surrounded by colorful murals and white columns.
An elderly man stands inside the church, surrounded by flowers and religious paintings.
A golden candlestick holds several lit candles, with a religious painting in the background.
A card printed in Russian, with an image of a burning candle on the left and text on the right.
A statue stands on a pedestal, holding a flag, with a blue sky in the background.
Various tourism brochures and maps are displayed on a table, covering multiple attractions.
Bookshelves display various books and postcards, with clearly visible price tags.
Bookshelves hold multiple books and photo frames related to landscapes and history.
A photo showcasing various postcards featuring seals, lighthouses, and cityscapes.
A store shelf displays many colorful Russian nesting dolls of varying sizes, neatly arranged.
Russian nesting dolls featuring portraits of famous people, including military uniforms and suits with ties.
Multiple vibrant Russian nesting dolls are neatly arranged on the shelf, each with unique colors and patterns.
Several metal tank models sit on a glass counter. This image cannot be described by AI as it seems to trigger restrictions.
A row of motorcycle models is neatly arranged on a wooden shelf, each with unique colors and details.
A transparent crystal ball contains a miniature architectural model, with “VLADIVOSTOK” printed at the base.
Multiple crystal balls are displayed on shelves, each containing unique landscapes.
A crystal ball contains a model sailboat, with “VLADIVOSTOK” on the base, surrounded by blue decorations.
A glass bottle contains a model sailboat with red masts, sealed with a red stopper.
A row of miniature sailboats in bottles, labeled “VLADIVOSTOK.”
Multiple postcards are neatly arranged in plastic bags, each featuring different landscape paintings.
Above the museum entrance, the word “МУЗЕЙ” is displayed, with exhibition posters hanging on both sides.
Six display cases contain various ancient tools and weapons.
A display case contains various ancient ornaments and items, including necklaces, beads, and carvings.
A blue traditional garment hangs in the center of the display case, surrounded by other artifacts.
A set of traditional clothing is displayed on a wooden stand, accompanied by a round drum and other items.
A white robe is laid flat on the display platform, decorated with blue patterns.
Bookshelves hold several old books with slightly yellowed covers.
Two people sit on chairs watching historical footage projected onto the wall.
Three small oil paintings: the upper one with a purple background, the middle one featuring a nude female figure, and the lower one a portrait of a woman.
Striped prison uniform, books, and a bayonet displayed in a glass cabinet.
An old typewriter with rolled paper placed inside a glass display case.
Multiple old documents and stamps displayed in a glass cabinet, with a black machine at the bottom.
Multiple old documents and a cross displayed in a glass cabinet.
Two wooden wardrobes and a broken chair protected by a fence.
A deck of playing cards depicting soldiers scattered on a table.
Two military uniforms and a military cap displayed in a glass cabinet, accompanied by historical photographs.
Nine cartoon drawings displayed in a glass cabinet, with a British flag logo below.
A vintage desk with a typewriter, clock, candlestick, and other items on it.
A stone slab engraved with “G.K.B.P.” fixed to the wall with a metal frame.
An old typewriter branded Mercedes Addelektra, placed on a wooden base, with a “Do Not Touch” sign beside it.
A ceramic pot and a metal container displayed in a glass cabinet, with wooden tools visible in the background.
A large metal samovar with decorative handles and spout, placed on a white platform.
Several old documents, a map, two stamps, and a red wax seal displayed in a glass cabinet.
An open book page with a letter written in Russian dated July 24, 1882.
An old map and a book titled 《Migration and Land Use》 displayed on a blue cushion.
A beautifully framed historical map of the Russian Empire hangs on the wall, with an explanatory plaque beside it.
A painting of a building, a green sculpture, and other items displayed in a glass cabinet.
A black-and-white photograph, a taxidermied bird, and some text descriptions displayed in a glass cabinet.
An antique chair with a carved dragon pattern on the backrest, next to a wooden table and a regular chair.
An old map detailing rivers, mountains, and towns, framed and mounted.
A display board printed with Russian text against a light-colored background.
Stained glass windows depicting abstract patterns, including figures and animals.
A white dress adorned with gold embroidery, next to a black military uniform.
A silver equestrian statue placed on an elaborately decorated base.
Various jewelry items, including rings, bracelets, cufflinks, and portrait miniatures.
A clock, an inkwell, a knife, a candlestick, and a photograph.
A green Fabergé egg with miniature portraits embedded on its surface, next to a small decorative item.
Multiple colorful Fabergé eggs, each with unique patterns.
Small animal-shaped figurines, including monkeys, bears, and rabbits, along with some green decorations, displayed in a showcase.
Multiple clocks and jewelry boxes in red and blue colors with intricate patterns displayed in a showcase.
A black lace dress with white embroidery, accompanied by a white parasol.
Two goblets with floral patterns and a handbag made of metal chains displayed in a showcase.
Silver cutlery and tableware, including trays, teapots, and bottles, with cityscape engravings on the trays, displayed in a showcase.
A golden cross and an ornate book with gem-encrusted cover.
Metal containers with green bases, cylindrical green objects, and a small figurine displayed in a showcase.
A collage of old photographs showing historical buildings and street scenes, accompanied by handwritten notes.
A blue car parked by the roadside with a surfboard on the roof and cartoon patterns on the body.
Buildings lining both sides of the street, with a large mural depicting urban scenery in the distance.
A busy city street with modern buildings on the left, old buildings decorated with large murals on the right, and pedestrians and vehicles on the road.
A church with a golden dome surrounded by trees, with two pedestrians in the foreground.
A gray pigeon standing on a stone wall, with a tree and blue sky in the background.
The top of a white church with two blue domes and one golden dome, all adorned with crosses, and a worker cleaning one of the domes.
A red-brick church with a golden dome, a wrought-iron gate in front, and a high-rise building in the background.
A small building in a park with yellow crosses on white walls, a green roof, and surrounded by trees and shrubs.
A statue standing on a pedestal with Russian inscriptions, with a bouquet of flowers placed in front.
Railway tracks with red railings and warning signs, with trees and buildings in the distance.
A sign reading “Caution Trains” stands beside railway tracks, with trees and utility poles in the background.
Two railway tracks extending into the distance, with trees on the left and graffiti-covered walls and a chimney on the right.
The entrance of a museum with stairs and metal railings, surrounded by green plants.
Two anti-aircraft guns installed side by side on a concrete base, with a blue fence nearby.
A large cannon installed on a wheeled base, stationed outdoors and surrounded by trees.
A green cannon installed on a wheeled base, stationed outdoors and surrounded by stone monuments.
Armored vehicle. This image cannot be described by AI, seemingly triggering restrictions.
Armored vehicle. This image cannot be described by AI, seemingly triggering restrictions.
Armored vehicle. This image cannot be described by AI, seemingly triggering restrictions.
Armored vehicle. This image cannot be described by AI, seemingly triggering restrictions.
Cannon. This image cannot be described by AI, seemingly triggering restrictions.
A bust of a man with a golden curtain in the background and a candlestick in the foreground.
A display board with multiple black-and-white photos titled “Vladivostok on the Crossing of XIX-XX Centuries.”
A painting depicting green hills and forests, with model terrain in the foreground.
A painting depicting a lake and mountains, with clouds in the sky and model terrain in the foreground.
A model of a warship named “ВАРАГ,” with a plaque below indicating “Year 1901.”
Several rifles hang on the wall, accompanied by shells and bullets, with two paintings on the wall.
A display board featuring various documents, photos, and text descriptions, with a title plate at the top.
A display case contains old weapons, including a long gun, a short gun, and a knife, next to an old photo.
A painting depicting two people leading a group of children walking along a pier.
A panoramic view of a city showcasing buildings and rivers under a blue sky with white clouds.
A display case exhibits various firearms, including rifles and machine guns, each labeled underneath.
A map marking sea routes and island locations, with paths indicated by red lines.
Several rocket launchers and other military equipment hang on the wall, alongside boxes and cans.
A church with a golden dome, a statue in front, surrounded by a square and buildings.
A church with a golden dome, a statue in front, surrounded by a square and buildings.
A church with a golden dome, surrounded by many flying birds, with cars and pedestrians in the foreground.
A flock of birds flying in the blue sky, with a church with a golden dome in the background.
A silver Jaguar sports car parked in front of a concrete wall, with license plate number X835MB 125.
A green vintage car parked by the roadside, with license plate number B799BB 125.
An old armored vehicle parked on the grass, with several benches nearby.
A black military truck parked in front of a building, equipped with rocket launchers.
A black military truck parked in front of a building, with license plate БМ-13 КАТЮША 1951г.
A black luxury car parked inside an exhibition hall, with license plate ЧАЙКА.
A beige vintage car parked inside an exhibition hall, with license plate МОСКВИЧ.
A black vintage car parked inside an exhibition hall, with license plate А 2226 ПК.
A blue vintage car parked inside an exhibition hall, with license plate ВОЛГА.
A green retro car with license plate “ПОБЕДА,” parked in an indoor exhibition space.
A light blue small retro car with the door open, license plate reading “ОПЕРАЦИЯ ы.”
A beige retro car with license plate “МОСКВИЧ,” parked in an indoor exhibition space.
A black vintage car with a red railing in front, next to a wooden signboard.
A green vintage truck with license plate “пл40-33,” parked next to a red bicycle.
A yellow and black open-top vintage car with license plate “ГАЗ - А,” next to a wooden signboard.
A light blue vintage car with license plate “МОСКВИЧ,” accompanied by two mannequins dressed in retro clothing.
A black vintage car with license plate “74-40ПРО,” with a red railing in front.
A green and a blue vintage car parked side by side, with various car blueprints displayed on the background wall.
Several retro motorcycles and two mannequins dressed in retro clothing, with motorcycle patterns on the background wall.
A blue motorcycle with silver frame and rims, and a black seat.
A green bicycle with an engine device on the frame and a brown seat.
A red motorcycle with silver frame and rims, and a black seat.
A display board featuring images and descriptions of various motorcycles.
Four black-and-white photos showing different scenes of military operations.
Four black-and-white photos showing different scenes of armored vehicles.
Three magazines with car illustrations on the cover, titles written in Russian.
Four black-and-white photos showing different historical moments of the AMO-F-15 truck.
An exhibition hall displaying multiple military vehicles and motorcycles.
A green armored vehicle with red markings and ropes on the body.
A green military vehicle with “USA MP” and number “241707” on the front, with thick ropes wrapped around the bumper.
A green military vehicle with a red star emblem on the front, next to an armored vehicle.
A military dummy in uniform riding a motorcycle, with a black car beside it, against a backdrop of a war scene painting.
The interior of a military vehicle with the steering wheel on the left, black leather seats, and an instrument panel ahead.
A display board featuring images and specifications of various vehicles, including Soviet and American models.
A poster showing two soldiers riding motorcycles, with industrial facilities in the background, planes and airships above.
Four paintings on the wall depicting different scenes, including sports events and military activities.
A poster showing multiple planes flying over Moscow’s Red Square, with cheering crowds below and a Russian slogan at the bottom.
A poster showing one person riding a motorcycle while another stands on the back holding a flag, against a red flag background.
A display board featuring early automobile design drawings and photos, including three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles.
A poster displaying early motorcycles and bicycles, including models from 1885 and 1902.
A display case containing an old television, radio, and other items, with car blueprints in the background.
A glass display case exhibiting miniature car models of different colors and styles.
Bookshelves filled with old books, covers showing content related to cars and motorcycles.
A tombstone with photos and names of three members of the Spiridonov family.
Three tombstones respectively engraved with photos and birth-death years of Anna Kanakova, Viktor Kanakov, and Sergey Kanakov.
Two tombstones respectively engraved with photos and birth-death years of Yefrosinya Barvintseva and Alexander Ivanov.
A tombstone engraved with a young boy’s photo and name, surrounded by flowers.
Two tombstones engraved with photos and birth-death years of Pradko family members, with flowers placed beside them.
Two tombstones engraved with photos and birth-death years of Alexander Zinchenko and Valentina, with an anchor-shaped decoration in between.
A red tombstone standing in a forest, with a black-and-white photo embedded on it.
A metal decorative object shaped like a steering wheel hanging on a tree trunk, surrounded by dense foliage.
A severely damaged tombstone with a circular depression in the middle and a small stone slab engraved with text below.
A wooden cross standing in a graveyard, with Russian inscriptions and a black nameplate on it.
A black tombstone engraved with a young girl’s photo and name “Разинкова,” accompanied by a small angel statue.
A gray tombstone engraved with a young girl’s photo and name “Анастасия,” accompanied by a small angel statue.
A tilted cement platform scattered with trash, surrounded by overgrown weeds.
A black tombstone engraved with a young boy’s photo and name “Галочка Медко,” surrounded by flowers.
A path running through a cemetery, flanked by trees and shrubs, with a white cross visible in the distance.
A column topped with a red five-pointed star, with a soldier’s photo embedded in the middle.
The tombstone is engraved with a female portrait, surrounded by flowers.
The tombstone is engraved with a male portrait, with trees and sky in the background.
The monument features a submarine-shaped structure with a commemorative plaque in front.
The monument features a submarine-shaped structure surrounded by woods.
The monument features a submarine-shaped structure with inscriptions on the side.
The abandoned building’s exterior wall has graffiti, surrounded by overgrown weeds.
Inside the room, the walls are peeling, and graffiti reads “PUNKS NOT DEAD”.
The abandoned building’s exterior wall has black graffiti, with plants growing at the entrance.
The abandoned building’s exterior wall has green graffiti, surrounded by overgrown weeds.
In the distance is a suspension bridge, with dense vegetation in the foreground.
A large bridge spans the water, connecting both banks. The foreground features green vegetation and tall reeds, with mountains and buildings in the distance.
A dilapidated dome structure, its surface covered in rust and damage, with multiple openings at the base.
Inside the dome structure, the walls are covered in graffiti and text, with parts of the ceiling damaged.
A close-up inside the dome structure, with a black cartoon figure at the center of the ceiling, surrounded by various graffiti.
A wall covered in colorful graffiti, with a rusty metal plate in the background.
A person stands in the ruins with arms raised, with a graffiti wall and broken structures in the background.
As the sun sets, sunlight filters through the trees onto the ground, with buildings and mountains in the distance.
An abandoned concrete structure, with red graffiti on the walls and a white plastic bag hanging from the top.
A large dome structure, visibly damaged and rusted, with a graffiti-covered stone tablet beside it.
A person sits on the edge of a roof, with some plants nearby and a clear sky in the distance.
A bridge spans the bay as the sun sets, with an orange-yellow gradient sky. The bridge connects both shores, with mountains in the distance.
The interior of the church is lavishly decorated, with golden murals and chandeliers, while worshippers pray.
A Chinese notice board with information about visiting the museum and ticket prices is placed in front of the ticket office.
A group listens to the guide introducing a skull fossil exhibit.
A human-shaped statue illuminated by lights, with a black background.
A bear and a human-shaped sculpture displayed side by side, with a rough surface.
A bird-shaped bronze object in a display case, with a small plaque beside it.
Three independent display cases each show different small carved artworks.
A tactile replica of a two-headed monster rider, with explanatory text beside it.
A small bronze sculpture depicting two people riding animals.
A twisted tree with ornaments hanging from its trunk and branches, with a brick wall in the background.
A brown human-shaped sculpture, armless, with a calm facial expression, against a brick wall.
A human-shaped sculpture with a large head, closed eyes, slightly open mouth, and a dark background.
An animal statue with a wolf-like head, slender body, short limbs, and a dark background.
Two swords, one longer and the other shorter, with carved patterns on the handles, against a black background.
Three bronze objects: a lying animal on the left, a standing animal in the middle, and another lying animal on the right, against a gray background.
Two equestrian statues, the front figure holding a bow and arrow, the rear figure holding a weapon, with a mountain landscape painting in the background.
Two animal statues and a decorative panel: a crouching animal on the left, a decorative panel in the middle, and a lying animal on the right, against a gray background.
A bird-shaped pendant with a human face design, facing forward with wings spread, against a black background.
Several people are touching a stone sculpture with intricate patterns.
A golden horse head sculpture with a rock-like decoration in the background.
A colorful artifact displayed in a dark showcase.
A metal mask with a peculiar shape placed on a wooden base.
A white sculpture depicting an adult male and a child.
Stamps and envelopes inside a glass display case.
A group of people viewing exhibits inside a glass cabinet.
A group of people sitting on the ground, each holding an art book.
A group of children listening to a guide introducing the exhibits.
A hand holding a brochure titled “The Fabergé Era.”
A sheet of paper with Russian grammar exercises written on it.
A person sitting on a tank, holding a machine gun, with concrete structures and military equipment in the background.
An armored vehicle parked outdoors with mottled green and brown camouflage patterns on its body.
At night, many store signs are lit up in a city square where people are walking around.
Inside a mall, the ceiling is decorated with honeycomb patterns, and customers are shopping and resting.
In front of a tobacco shop named CUBA, customers are queuing up.
Supermarket shelves stocked with beer bottles of various brands.
Several bottles of orange Aperol liquor displayed on supermarket shelves.
Supermarket shelves piled high with bucket products of instant noodles in various colors.
An electronic screen displaying prices of different kinds of drinks, with a glass of dark beer beside it.
In the center of a nighttime square, there is a fountain with water jets dyed red by lights.
On a wooden table, there are two bottles of drinks and two types of food. One bottle is red Garrafa Black drink, and the other is yellow Green Bean Mix drink. The packaging of the food on the left says “QUINOA,” and the one on the right is a round sausage.
Three people taking a group photo outdoors at night. The person on the left is wearing glasses and a brown coat, giving a thumbs-up. The person in the middle is wearing transparent glasses and a light-colored coat, smiling. The person on the right has short hair, wears a dark coat, and also smiles. Buildings and streetlights can be seen in the background.

10-05 До свидания

Morning, it was a rush to catch the train. I looked up to the sky, a found there were more visible stars than I normally see in Harbin.

I didn’t take the bus ticket price into account when I was shopping yesterday. So I exchanged for some rubles from other person. On the train I looked up two times, didn’t find Olga. She was coming back to Harbin today. If she was still going to head to Pogranichnyy, there would be a little chance I meet her on the train. But I didn’t. Instead I saw a woman with her dog, as if yesterday I saw a woman brought her dog to the supermarket. Also I saw, as the train moving through the city, on my left there was cloudy hills turning into a sunrise tilted in the mountains, and on my right was a vast sea turning into a cozy morning glory.

In the supermarket “Moscow” in Ussuriysk, I bought fresh kvass. And even in the version with honey, they did not taste as sweet as in Harbin.

Took on the bus back to China. Someone asked me to bring some stuff.

According to the uncles from the same bus, the milk can not pass the examination of the customs. So I drank a whole box of milk like Wang Baoqiang in the movie. Now I am writing this post and have to go to the toilet often… The fresh fish, pig’s trotters, and the soybean oil carried by the uncles, were not supposed to pass the border. But with the cooperation of resourceful uncles and custom officials who turned a blind eye, the cooperation of both China and Russia, they passed the border with no problem. The lady for passport and visa examination sang with ease.

Shared a cab from Dongning Bus Station to Suifenhe, I chatted with pals on the road. The driver recommended us Jeju Island, also said we could consider buying a van when we have money in the future, as finding a place to park is difficult during a trip. He also suggested boys marry a girl from south. I said I lived in Harbin, judging by the location, Vladivostok is also considered south right? Somebody mentioned the Greater Khingan Range, the driver recommended that we go see the aurora there. The girl sit on my left was a first-year graduate student from Guangdong and studying Changchun. The other two said her voice sounds young. The girl on her left was playing “Ace Attorney”, she was the person promised to help me exchange rubles this morning, but we were separated on the train, so I turned to another person for the rubles. The guy in the front was from Heibei, I couldn’t see him. We talked about North Korea — the driver said North Korea is just like China in the seventies — and we also talked about spice used in the restaurant and perfume usesd by Russians.

My note ends here. I’m still having diarrhea… And it’s sixteen past nine, I plan to put on my clothes and take a look at the self-service dumpling restaurant, and have some drink.

Now is about ten o’clock in the night on October sixth. I’m sitting at my home. Last night was a crazy night.

The self-service dumpling restaurant was closed at that time, and I walked along the street and found Donya Russian Music Restaurant. I ordered a rack of lamb with lettuce, coriander, onions, garlic, gluten cakes and pickles, also gravy and mashed potatoes, mixed soup and two bottles of Miller beer. It cost over one hundred and forty yuan. There was a dance floor in the center of the restaurant, with lights on above and smoke spraying from below. Russian dance music was played on big speakers, and diners from both China and Russia were dancing here. Once again I was sitting at the corner drinking alone. Sometimes I went to the dance floor and jumped for a while. It happened to be an aunt’s birthday. People held hands together and circled around her, hugging her. Soon after, the table next to me changed occupants and six Russians came. It seemed Roman (Роман) firstly said hello to me. Anyway, I was invited to their deck. The woman on my right spoke English. She introduced these people to me. She was called Yulia (Юлия), and her husband was Roman who was drinking happily wearing a chest bag. Her friends here were Vika (Вика), Alexey (Алексей), Dmitry (Дмитрий, sometimes called Dima Дима), and Maxim (Максим). I may misspelled their names since I was recalling their names only by pronounciation. She lives Roman in Vladivostok, they have a three-year-old son. Their son lives with grandma in another city. Later, Roman started calling me a friend. Yulia invited me to go with them to Anna Western Restaurant for another round. It was in a basement, also with a dance floor. They ordered a half dozen of beer, a plate of shrimps, a plate of pistachios, and later a plate of grapes. They paid in cash, I said I didn’t bring cash with me but I can pay through the QR code. Yulia said this bottle of beer was on them. Yulia also talked about her honeymoon with Roman and friends in Thailand, and that was the exact experience that had made the Thailand city her favorite. She had also been to Shanghai, and wanted to visit Beijing, Harbin, and Chongqing in the future. She would never go to Moscow because it’s just too far from Vladivostok. Instead, she often goes to Suifenhe because it’s near. I talked about my mojar, Environmental Engineering. Yulia was majored in biology-related. Just like the aunts yesterday, Maxim and Yulia mentioned, Russians could be dangerous, and it was crazy I followed them and drank together. But Maxim also expressed on the contrary they were friendly. Roman had fallen into sleep. Maxim joked on him, saying he’s a tiger with two biggest hobbies, drinking and sleeping. The “Boss” friend of Yulia, Volod, had come here, looked like a big guy. Yulia said his wife was “dangerous”, and Maxim told me once Volod kept saying something like “I’m a man. I’m a man.” for two or three hours. We also talked about other things, such as the word “干杯”, whether I travelled here alone, also some adult jokes. Basically I was chatting only with Maxim and Yulia, and had a little dance with Roman, probably that was because others don’t speak English. Two o’clock in the morning, they wanted to go back. It’s a bit embarrassing to say that Roman and Yulia called me a friend, but I couldn’t talk to everyone, and I couldn’t even match their names and appearances. I still owe them a bottle of beer. If there is a chance I would like to treat them next time, but don’t wait until the Combine invades the Earth.

Two people sitting on a sofa, the person on the left wearing a black top, and the person on the right wearing glasses and a brown coat.
Inside a train carriage, passengers are sitting on blue seats; some are sleeping, and others are looking at their phones.
Two women sitting by the train window, the woman on the left playing with her phone, and the woman on the right leaning back in her seat to rest.
Three people sitting on a train, the person on the left wearing glasses, the person in the middle wearing headphones, and the person on the right looking out of the window.
An outdoor billboard displays a train, surrounded by Russian and Chinese signs.
In front of a multi-story building stands a red sculpture, with air conditioning units hanging on the exterior wall.
A black steam locomotive parked on the tracks, with a red star emblem on the front and the license plate number 386.8.
A statue stands in the center of a flower bed, with a plaque on its pedestal, surrounded by orange and yellow flowers.
Multiple notice boards on the wall, one of which reads “atp.ritmteam.ru” with a QR code and Chinese text.
A table displaying an international bus schedule, including departure times, routes, dates, and prices.
A table showing departure times, routes, and prices for different bus services.
A dilapidated house with a brown roof, surrounded by trees and grass.
A black monument engraved with text, surrounded by red flowers.
A poster featuring two identical ads promoting earnings of over 100,000 rubles per week.
A street lined with buildings, the sky tinted pink.
Through a window, a person is seen lying on a bed inside a room, with the city’s night view outside.
A city street at night, streetlights on, with two people walking on the sidewalk.
A dining table set with a bowl of soup, a meat dish, and a bottle of wine.

10-06 Suifenhe “Big White Building” and the Middle East Railway Memory Museum

Woke up in the morning, packed up and checked out, stored my luggage and went for a walk. I learned the history of Middle East Railway briefly at the Middle East Railway Memory Museum. I went to the self-service dumpling restaurant that I missed last night. Twenty-five yuan per person. I saw some Russians using chopsticks, even poured some vinegar on the dumplings. I drank two bottles and went back to the “New Era Building” full of Russians, took a snap at the lobby, spent my time, and went back home. Here I am uploading photos and writing this post, that’s it.

A multi-story building with multiple windows on the front. Below it, there is a sign that reads “МЕЧТА РЫНОК,” and there are other shop signs nearby.
A square surrounded by several buildings, including a white and yellow building. There are a few people walking around in the square.
A white building with a black roof. In front of the building, there is a small square where some people are active.
A black metal plaque with Chinese text stating “National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Unit” and information about the “Middle East Railway Architecture Cluster Suifenhe Railway White Building.”
Two black metal plaques, one written in Chinese above and another in Russian below, providing historical information about a building.
A section of a white building with unique architectural style, featuring beautifully decorated windows and some green plants in the foreground.
A black steam locomotive parked on the tracks, with red decorations in front and yellow buildings in the background.
Next to a door, there is a black metal plaque inscribed with historical information about the Suifenhe Railway Station waiting room.
A metal plaque with a golden frame, inscribed with an introduction to the history of the Middle East Railway in Chinese.
A display board showing a map of China on the left and historical information about the Middle East Railway written in Chinese on the right.
Multiple framed photos hang on a yellow wall. In the center is a painting of a steam train, surrounded by photos of buildings, with the letters “SHF” formed on the wall.
A glass display case contains old books and documents, accompanied by red labels for explanation.
Two old photographs hang on the wall, with a rectangular explanatory plaque below them, illuminated by light from above.
A display board with a golden frame describes “Russia’s Expansion into the Far East,” with a map beside it.
Many framed historical photos hang on a red brick wall, with a larger map on the left side.
Numerous framed historical photos are neatly arranged on a red brick wall, each with a label underneath.
A dense arrangement of framed historical photos hangs on a red brick wall, with a white column on the right.
A display board with a golden frame provides detailed historical information about the Middle East Railway.
A mural depicting a city street lined with European-style buildings, with figures dressed in vintage clothing.
A black-and-white old photograph shows an aerial view of the city, with an explanatory text below.
Multiple old photographs are displayed on the wall, with a sign above reading “International Trade.”
Multiple old photographs are displayed on the wall, with a sign above reading “Social Life.”
Golden text on a black background introduces the history of the Middle East Railway.
A painting of the Boxer Rebellion hangs on the wall, with titles in both Chinese and Russian above.
Photos and textual explanations related to the Mukden Incident are displayed on the wall.
A copper horn and a kerosene lamp are displayed in a glass case.
Information about the Middle East Railway War is displayed on the wall, with explanations in both Chinese and Russian.
An old photograph shows Khovrat Street, now Zhongshan Road in Harbin.
Textual explanations and related images conveying the spirit of the Red Route are displayed on the wall.
Multiple historical photographs and textual explanations are displayed on the wall.
A historical mural depicts a scene from 1952, featuring flags and figures.
An old document with blurred text is placed inside a glass display case.
An old clock with numbers and hands sits on a white base.
A painting depicts trees in the snow, with a person wearing red clothes.
A painting shows a bicycle race scene, with spectators watching from the side.
A painting displays a row of off-road vehicles neatly lined up on a road.
A painting depicts a street dance performance, with participants wearing colorful costumes.
A painting shows dancers on a stage, with noticeable lighting effects.
A row of green military vehicles, including vans and trucks, are parked in a lot.
A row of green military buses and trucks are parked in a lot, with Chinese markings on the vehicles.
A green military truck is parked in a lot, with Chinese slogans on its body.
Two people take a selfie indoors, with pink lights and decorations in the background.
Dumplings, stir-fried dishes, soup, and a bottle of beer are laid out on a dining table.
A large oil painting depicting a classical scene hangs on the wall inside a restaurant.

Videos uploaded to YouTube. You may need a proxy to view them if you live in Chinese mainland.


Because I used a proxy, Meta suspected that I had falsified my identity, blocked both of my Instagram accounts, and did not give me any effective means of appeal. I was forced to cut off contact with Yulia. That’s why sometimes I hate the big companies — your data is never yours; and it’s more and more difficult to contact a human customer service agent.

The pigeon feather I was planning to bring back and wrap in plastic ended up falling somewhere.

After switching to a low risk IP address, my appeal for the second account accepted. Now I’m good with Yulia and Roman. After watching the video of the “Big Ice and Snow World”, Yulia said she really wanted to come to Harbin, and said she would definitely contact me if she came to China in the future.


The End

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