I am in the northern tip of Japan – only 60 kms from the Russian port of Korsakov on the Sakhalin…
Sometimes the experience and the determination are not enough. You need also some luck to make your plan working.
It is snowing non- stop since the morning. I went to the Wakkanai port. I recognized two little Russian fishing boats. I went aboard to speak to the captain. -Russian authorities do not allow us to take the passengers! Sorry! They did not change the mind even when I offer discretly the bribe. In addition they said that the cyclone is coming from the east so they do not know when they will sail out.
Then I was trying to get to the second boat. Guard stopped me at the gate. Police car arrived soon. Two guys in the black coats, one of them speaking Russian. I have been investigated and taken for the control at the immigration services post. They searched my bag. Finally they said let me go, but they know that Russians are not allowed to take passengers on the fishing boats. There is a chance on big, cargo ships but at the moment there is no such a ship in the port…
First Japanese ferry will cross the straits to Sakhalin on June 8th – just let you know. Then it will be simple to go to Russia. But it will cost hefty 25000 yen for the one way!
It is still snowing – I decided to come back to Sapporo and look for the flight before snow will completly cover the single rail track to this last Japanese outpost…
