Ukraine, Friday, January 11, 2008:

Three hour flight to Kiev:

I have an early start and am introduced to the joys of heightened airport security. I even had to take my boots off so they could be checked for bombs – the curse of the shoebomber I suppose.

Our pilot walks through the holding area and he has a military bearing – I imagine him learning his trade flying MIGs for the Soviet air force during the Cold War.

Once on board the plane we get a bizarre selection of food – pork and rice – then change for an internal flight to Simferopol in the Crimea.

The hotel is reasonable and a lot better than the one in Musa Qala. We have a beer in the foyer on the same floor as our rooms and in the process we upset a woman because we were a tad, erm, noisy.