In the summer of 2016, the dream of my youth came true, albeit in part. I managed to visit the places of my dreams - in Chukotka. Then, after reading the stories and stories of Yuri Rytkheu, I dreamed of leaving for distant Chukotka and being a teacher in the yaranga ... So, part of the dream came true - Chukotka ...
The Chukotka Peninsula (Chukotka) is located in the extreme northeast of the Eurasian continent, washed by the seas of two oceans, the Arctic from the north and the Pacific from the south. The easternmost city of Russia and Eurasia, Anadyr, is located here. Anadyr is on a par with the most remote cities on the continents - with the southernmost city of the Land of Ushuaia in the south of Argentina, with the southernmost city in Africa, Cape Town, located near the Cape of Good Hope.
You can get to Chukotka from Moscow only by plane at the invitation of a private person or on a tourist voucher. We used the services of a travel agency, the program of which included: acquaintance with the city of Anadyr, Provideniya Bay, Penkigney Bay of the Senyavin Strait.
Choosing the route to follow, we decided to fly through Khabarovsk. An early arrival made it possible to get acquainted with the city, sail along the Amur to the Alekseevsky bridge. And what is important, the cost of tickets turned out to be significantly lower than for a direct flight. Surprised by the presence in the city of a large number of forty. Apparently, these cautious birds have taken root well in the city. The next day we flew to Chukotka. At the airport we were met by border guards, seals with beluga whales near the pier. The airport and the city of Anadyr are separated by the Anadyr estuary. In August, fish pass along the estuary to spawn, so there are many fish and fishermen, both on the shore and in the estuary.
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The city of Anadyr is small and quite cozy. Colored houses on stilts, clean streets, many seagulls. Monuments, memorial plaques, street names - everything is dedicated to people who gave themselves to Chukotka.
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Acquaintance with the tundra began on the way to the Dionysius hill, located in the vicinity of the city.
Everything is learned in detail. Seemingly lifeless and not distinguished by an abundance of colors, the tundra creates its own unique world, similar to a kaleidoscope, with every centimeter of its surface. Lichens, mosses, flowers, dwarf trees, mushrooms, blueberries, shiksha, cloudberries and other plants are the flora of the tundra. Perhaps the city, as conceived by the architect, should serve as a natural continuation of the tundra with its color scheme of each house.
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On the side of the road to the hill, the car was greeted by evrazhki, the gyrfalcon flew over the hill.
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Then the real journey began. By boat to the airport, then AN-26 to the Airport of the village of Provideniya. By car, bypassing the national Eskimo village of Novoye Chaplino, to the base of marine mammals. There, on a motor boat along the Senyavin Strait, to the Penkigney Bay.
In the dark, wet and happy, they gathered up firewood for a fire (there is no forest in Chukotka), set up tents. Our amazing life began in the bay. The first morning greeted us with a bright sun and such calm and calm water that we involuntarily wanted to start our stay in the bay with a swim. What a delight it was, despite the water temperature of only +6 degrees! And then unforgettable days of hiking along the hills and rivers followed, gatherings around the fire, early coffee to the sighs of whales, picking mushrooms and berries, as well as healing herbs.
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Each hike was unusual, neither routes were repeated, nor what we saw and received emotionally in every mini-hike. We also had an unusual day dedicated to the islands with bird colonies. Our Chukchi friends arrived by boat, with whom we made this fascinating journey across the islands. The first island we visited is called Merkinkap (in the Chukchi language), it abounded with axes and Ipatoks, the second island - Aginkinkan - was covered with bird colonies, mainly of gulls.
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A week later we returned to Providence Bay.The urban-type settlement of Provideniya is small and not as well-groomed as Anadyr. The main pride of the village is the local history museum, which amazes with its unique exhibits and collections, as well as a sincere, professional team.
A day later we returned to Anadyr, and then home full of impressions about such a distant and so close land - Chukotka, with its amazing nature and sincere people, an amazing atmosphere, forgotten by us in a big metropolis ... I would like to slightly paraphrase the old song: “Chukotka will be long we dream ... ".
P.S. At Anadyr airport, in the gift department, there is a curious souvenir with life-affirming wishes. We also wish all tourists "Welcome" to Chukotka. "Everything is allowed!"
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