Kyiv

[Uke Boy]

I never use a downtown central ATM. They are almost too dodgy.

However, I do tend to use ATMs only at banks and bank branches outside of Khreshchatik and the Maidan area that is used by locals. If you see a lot of locals using the ATM, it can generally be considered safe. Knock wood but I have never had a problem in all my many years here while holding to this method. I never ever use a stand alone machine or some machine not fixed into a bank branch.

Also, just to be even more careful since queues tend to be the norm here waiting for the ATM, I only use the Russian language instructions on the screen. That way, anyone behind me will think that I am just another local.

Even if you do not know Russian, you might want to check out that as your preferred method since it is not at all different from the English version. I do local language versions when I visit other countries where I do not know the language. It really is just a rote technique and can sometimes help you stay out of possible trouble.

[Reiner Otto]

Two other guys I worked with found their bank accounts were hit after using ATMs down around Arena, so I was aware of the situation of card/pin cloning.

Thats exactly the reason, why I never use ATMs in UA or RU.
Being an IT guy, I know about these tricks already for years.
I always pick up my money from a human cashier within a bank. The few $ I pay on top for this I consider insurance costs.

[Doctor_Skank]

Guys, I don't recall if I posted this before, so I thought I'd mention what happened last time I visited Kiev.

Two other guys I worked with found their bank accounts were hit after using ATMs down around Arena, so I was aware of the situation of card/pin cloning. Knowing this, I tried using cash machines up around the embassy area, which is far less dodgy than K-street. I also used the ATM inside the Rio, so I can't pinpoint which one is compromised.
At any rate, about 5 weeks after leaving Kiev, I just got home from a trip to Mumbai to find my bank statement showing about $7000 lighter than it should be. Checking the automated banking recording, there were $430 withdrawals done daily. Of course I shut down the card immediately but then had to go to the bank the investigate. When the bank manager and I looked at the transaction history, we could see all these withdrawals coming from 3 different machines in St. Petersburg (I have never been there). In addition, we could see the few legitimate withdrawals I made in Mumbai on the same days as the Russian transactions.

US banks seem to be quite unfamiliar with this sort of theft. They forced me to provide a notorized affidavit swearing I did not make those withdrawals and swearing that I did not lend me card and pin to a friend. They could not believe it was possible to clone numbers, nor did they find it unusual that a person could fly back and forth between Mumbai and St Pete every day for 2 weeks. I provided my hotel invoice from Mumbai which clearly showed room service and taxi charges itemized throughout the stay.

A few days go by before the back office informs me that my claim is rejected because the "Russian Federation has provided proof" I was physically using my card in St. Pete. Oh really. I never did see what this supposed proof was.

In the end, I had to provide pictures of my passport entry/exit stamps from India before they grudgingly approved my claim (and paying up). Had I not coincidentally been in a foreign country while Ivan was cleaning me out, it would have been more like a 'prove you don't have a sister' situation.

So be careful out there.

Thanks for the heads up Brandon and glad you got your cash back.

Not particularly related to Ukraine, but reflecting a trend in Ukraine and Russia IMO, is in increase in both petty and violent crime. A lot of Russian friends have reported this to me and statistics show it as well. In recent visits I've noticed more bums on the streets again, more aggression on the subways.

People are animals in times of crisis. Be wary fellas.

[Brandon88]

Guys, I don't recall if I posted this before, so I thought I'd mention what happened last time I visited Kiev.

Two other guys I worked with found their bank accounts were hit after using ATMs down around Arena, so I was aware of the situation of card/pin cloning. Knowing this, I tried using cash machines up around the embassy area, which is far less dodgy than K-street. I also used the ATM inside the Rio, so I can't pinpoint which one is compromised.
At any rate, about 5 weeks after leaving Kiev, I just got home from a trip to Mumbai to find my bank statement showing about $7000 lighter than it should be. Checking the automated banking recording, there were $430 withdrawals done daily. Of course I shut down the card immediately but then had to go to the bank the investigate. When the bank manager and I looked at the transaction history, we could see all these withdrawals coming from 3 different machines in St. Petersburg (I have never been there). In addition, we could see the few legitimate withdrawals I made in Mumbai on the same days as the Russian transactions.

US banks seem to be quite unfamiliar with this sort of theft. They forced me to provide a notorized affidavit swearing I did not make those withdrawals and swearing that I did not lend me card and pin to a friend. They could not believe it was possible to clone numbers, nor did they find it unusual that a person could fly back and forth between Mumbai and St Pete every day for 2 weeks. I provided my hotel invoice from Mumbai which clearly showed room service and taxi charges itemized throughout the stay.

A few days go by before the back office informs me that my claim is rejected because the "Russian Federation has provided proof" I was physically using my card in St. Pete. Oh really. I never did see what this supposed proof was.

In the end, I had to provide pictures of my passport entry/exit stamps from India before they grudgingly approved my claim (and paying up). Had I not coincidentally been in a foreign country while Ivan was cleaning me out, it would have been more like a 'prove you don't have a sister' situation.

So be careful out there.

[It Travel]

They open until 6 or 7 a.m. Obviously, at that time it's almost empty, most of the girls went home already. I left the place a few times at 6 a.m. and took the first subway train to Kreshatik and then got some sleep It was nice to save on taxi.

Yeah those crazy taxi guys where asking me 250!! so me and my friend (It was 4.30 alredy) went becak put the 250 on a couple of beers and some food... and took the metro one hour later! at 100 meters at Dnipro station!!!

Be only aware in crossing the road!

IT

[It Travel]

It's 1400 USD almost!

For five hours? You can get two or even three days with a Gia girl!!!

My last quotings (in that huge amount area) are

a) two nice, bisexual, threeholer (!), swallowers for 24 hours 600 USD (26-7 y.o.)!

same but more beautifil and 19 y.o. 1000 USD.... and it's alredy expencive!!!

IT

PS You will find such prices in the real high end in London... not in KIEV!!! Please do not destry the market. Afrodisiak (art name) one of the real beauties in Moscow, more expencive than Kiev, (160/43) really skinny red haired, frekles is asking 2000 €, but for a weekend with her and her young (19) lesbian friend!

Hi guys,

I'm heading to Kiev next week, first time.

I have some stupid questions:

Mcdonalds? Just to hang arounf in the afternoon to get in contact with the ladies?

Can I get some kinky fetish services from these girls at mcdonalsor are they only looking for regular things? Or just a matherof price? Theoreticly, lets say I get in contact with a nice teen, maybe I offer her 1000 euros for 5 hours. Then I can play a lot with her, possible?

Sol

[AColonizer]

Yes, guys, now you are realizing what I meant with "respect" in last months. In spite of weak Ukrainian economy, women are keeping very greedy, at least in Kiev. And services are very bad in comparison of 8 years ago.

Therefore it could be a good idea to explore other towns with easygoing women. Men, who like Ukrainian-Polish type, could go to Lvov and men, who like Russian-Ukrainian type, could go to Kharkov.

And more men keep prices down, and more women have respect of us.

[Curious12]

I've been very lately to RP... all is open... at 1 or 2 am... of course It's may ne not packed!

At the Bar you can even get food (not exceptional) and not so economic!

But you can sit in a table and tale a look at the girls... negotiatings might go on to 3 am or so, but there is the disco too... franly no idea when it closes but surely not at 2 am!

IT

PS they have a homepage http://riverpalace.kiev.ua/ but there is no official hour, but you might phone, ther is a menu also, but do not know if the prices are actual...

They open until 6 or 7 a.m. Obviously, at that time it's almost empty, most of the girls went home already. I left the place a few times at 6 a.m. and took the first subway train to Kreshatik and then got some sleep It was nice to save on taxi.

[Explorer69]

Hi guys,

I'm heading to Kiev next week, first time.

..........................................................................................................Theoreticly, lets say I get in contact with a nice teen, maybe I offer her 1000 euros for 5 hours. Then I can play a lot with her, possible?

Sol

Theoretically 1000 euros!! 5 hours!! You can buy her, all her sisters, her mother, her aunts - and don't forget her babushkas!

[Sponsor74]

Hi guys,

I'm heading to Kiev next week, first time.

I have some stupid questions:

Mcdonalds? Just to hang arounf in the afternoon to get in contact with the ladies?

Can I get some kinky fetish services from these girls at mcdonalsor are they only looking for regular things? Or just a matherof price? Theoreticly, lets say I get in contact with a nice teen, maybe I offer her 1000 euros for 5 hours. Then I can play a lot with her, possible?

Sol

Please dont go to Kiev. Is a nice city and nice women without paying this price. Thanks

[Doctor_Skank]

Shame the Doctor won't be here this year. He owes me 2 drinks and 1 freebie from the Odessa trip.

IL

February, mate.

[It Travel]

I've been very lately to RP... all is open... at 1 or 2 am... of course It's may ne not packed!

At the Bar you can even get food (not exceptional) and not so economic!
But you can sit in a table and tale a look at the girls... negotiatings might go on to 3 am or so, but there is the disco too... franly no idea when it closes but surely not at 2 am!

IT

PS they have a homepage http://riverpalace.kiev.ua/ but there is no official hour, but you might phone, ther is a menu also, but do not know if the prices are actual...

Really a silly question.
But probably I have not been precise enough: I spend a lot of time of the year in my second "Hometown Nikolaev".
And I have not been in RP for a couple of years, because I go thru Odessa.
So I simply want to compare the quality of girls of RP to what I am used to get in Nikolaev. Obviously, you have not been here so often, otherwise you would know, that there is still a lot of very good meat in Nikolaev, so I am really fed up.
And, of course not only to compare the quality, but also the price. Although, thanx to hospitality in UA, a foreigner, spending quite a lot of time in this country, quite often is invited for a free dinner :-)
So, in a few words, I am simply curious,
I want to compare price/value in RP (which obviously is a good market) to Nikolaev.
And I hope, RP is a more convinient place to wait for the flight a couple of hours compared to railway station or airport.
One reason for my question is, that at least here in the province, the good markets close already about midnight, unless it is weekend :-)

Thanx for your info !
Whether I will stay for a night at least next time I pass thru Kiev again will simply depend upon the expirience from my visit this week.
I have to admit, that I am real gourmet from time to time, so I might be tempted to pay for an exceptional meal a special price. But I will check the menue first.

[Sol K]

Hi guys,

I'm heading to Kiev next week, first time.

I have some stupid questions:

Mcdonalds? Just to hang arounf in the afternoon to get in contact with the ladies?

Can I get some kinky fetish services from these girls at mcdonalsor are they only looking for regular things? Or just a matherof price? Theoreticly, lets say I get in contact with a nice teen, maybe I offer her 1000 euros for 5 hours. Then I can play a lot with her, possible?

Sol

[Uke Boy]

Bez,

Rest Town hasn't been open now for years.

It changed its name to Kornet about 5 or 6 years ago it wasn't the same after that. I am not even sure Kornet is open.

No one even talks about this place anymore. Great way back then but a pleasant historical memory and no more.

[Bez Bezarra]

Hi,

I take a flight from Kiev back home, in early morning.

I will arrive about 1:00 in the night by train, and have to be about 5:00 in Borispol.

Instead of spending a few hours in the train station or the airport, I would like to visit RP, just to check the place.

Go to the Rest Town!!

I think this is the place you want, its got the saunas, and the girls, and the rooms, and the prices are NOT for tourists, like RP.

Its where the Ukrainian men that live in Kiev go.