And you thought SURFING was easy....

Surfing is a LOT of fun, the challenge is to keep a recognizable facial expression as you try to get up on the board.

Tongariro Crossing, NZ (Mount of Doom)

One of the most challenging and most beautiful treks I've ever done - 17 km up and down in wind/rain/snow.

Random Shots in Urban and Rural Russia

The latter three are my favourite photographs because they are taken in Kamensk-Uralsky (my mom's birth place).

St.Petersburg - the Northern Venice

Leningrad was the sightseeing highlight of our trip. Gorgeous city with numerous channels, romantic cafes and relaxed pace of life (wrt Moscow). It is located on the shoreline by the Baltic Sea a few hours away from Finland. It is known for its White Nights in summers. If in the future I was offered to work there for half a year - I wouldn't think twice!

My BIg Fat Russian Wedding (#2) in Moscow, Russia

My parents did a great job of putting this event together: my mom - the organization brain, my dad- the RESOURCES!!! lol
Date: 27th of November, 2006
Place: Cathedral of Kazan's Virgin on Red Square; Metropol Hotel

Wedding Dress and Shoes : $260
Converting Chris to Orthodox: $ 275
Wedding Bands and Tickets to Russia: $ 4400
Reception at Metropol: ???
...being born in Ukraine, normally residing in Canada, currently living in New Zealand, getting married in Russia on Red Square - PRICELESS!!!

P.S: Please notice who has got a bigger piece of bread (=breadwinner)...my dad wasn't too happy about the size of mine! lol

Back in the USSR!!!

Moscow - amazing architecture, numerous cathedrals, 12 million people, never-ending traffic jams, some of the world richest and poorest people in one place - "one of a kind" city!