Black Sea – fourth tour

May 2025

Maybe strange, but it will be fun to return to Ukraine. We did this route a year ago, which means that for the first time I will see people I have met before. Exciting and a bit new for me.

Six months have passed since I was last in Ukraine. In that short time, the world situation has completely changed. Putin and Trump are on the same team, which means that Europe must fully understand that Ukraine is an important part of our world, that Zelensky has stepped forward as the foremost leader of democracy and the freedom that we in Europe have so long taken for granted. So self-evident that we have begun to forget its value. What do the Ukrainians say? That's what I want to talk about.

Participants from Europe

This time we have brought along some non-Swedes. Two Britons, two Germans and an enthusiastic woman from Lithuania. A Ukrainian volunteer organization https://uapostcards.org/sv/ advertised the trip and I received responses from all over the world. An American has signed up for the trip in August! That's where my thoughts about "flight shame" fell.

Five travels again. Upcoming trips

I have arranged three group trips before. Five of the previous travelers are on this trip. A good rating of course. Nevertheless, the itinerary is a repeat of the trip we did a year ago. And the next trip on August 5th will also be a repeat. We are doing it again, not only because it was a fantastic trip, but because it is a difficult and lengthy task to make personal contacts, check the logistics, get information about new places. This is the hard work, then the trip itself will literally go like clockwork, I think. Regarding the autumn trip around October 7th, Ira and the tour leader are discussing places like Poltava and Dnipro. That itinerary should be ready in June.

The trip is already a success

I collected money to donate to some of the dozen volunteer organizations we have scheduled a meeting with. Today's total result is an amazing 34,500 SEK. People have swished to me, I withdraw Hryvnas from ATMs on site and hand them over in front of a larger group of people. Safe and no burn-offs at all, except for the bank's exchange rate.

After returning home, I will report exactly what amounts I have chosen to donate and to which organizations. I will report it here and by email to those of you who donated money. If you want, you can still top up during the trip. Swish Christian Jutvik 076 94 33 8 11.

At 6:00 PM the Polish ferry leaves Nynäshamn. The shipping company is offering dinner since we have passed the group discount limit. I am also looking forward to a large Polish beer and some relaxation after months of preparation.

On Sunday 12.26 we arrive in L´viv and are met on the platform by the tour guide Ira who is standing there with open arms.

"As you may already know, Ukrainian trains run on the minute"

Iryna Prokopyshyn

Join us on the journey!

Join us on this journey to L´viv, Odessa, Mykolaiv, to the villages previously occupied by the Russians and to Kyiv. When I have time, I will be in touch on this blog a number of times during the trip.