Teplokhod (that’s how they call it here. “Mekhanik Kalashnikov” is the sister ship of “Rodina”, “Kulibin” – I sailed Lena and “Matrosov” -I sailed Yenissey River years ago. Built in Germany in 1955 it is little different – instead Asian-style toilets it has little bit devastated western-style toilets. All three salons (lounges) are closed so what you can do is to sit in your cabin with 7 other people or to walk on the deck.
Ob is a huge river – sometimes you cannot see the coast on the both sides.
In the late afternoon we arrived to Novyj Port – one of the very few settlements on Yamal peninsula. I had 3 hours to visit this little place. The main attraction is Merzlotnik – underground natural cold store built in permafrost by the prisoners after thd 2nd WW. It is impressive labirynth with lovely cristals. Free, but you have to find the caretaker -Vaska to be guided. I saw also the run-down cemetary of the prisoniers, who die here – nobody takes care of it. On the outskirts of the settlement theee is huge base of Gasprom. Forget about any folklore…
