Far East Russia Travel | Vladivostok, Russia

25 Days after starting our cross-country adventure in Saint Petersburg, we’ve officially arrived to our final destination – VladivoSTOK.

The city is sheltered from the Sea of Japan within Golden Horn Bay, and is the largest Russian port on the Pacific coast.

While our busy schedule doesn’t allow us to explore a ton, we do manage to get a little taste of this beautiful metropolis.

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And while I’d love to walk around the city all day and explore the scenes and street art, instead I’ll have to take you a little behind-the-scenes, as we’re scheduled to meet with the regional tourism board over lunch.

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From lunch, we make our way back across town for something pretty unique for all of us – a Russian press conference, where we talk about our Trans-Siberian trip with a few local media outlets.

and then, it’s time for another snack.

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One more adventure Yaro says.

One last surprise excursion with two of Yaro’s local friends outside the city, to again experience a lesser-known side of this incredible country.

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Truthfully, we still don’t know a whole lot about this base. There isn’t much information online, nor do many people in the area talk about it.

It’s just here. A forgotten piece of history in a remote part of the world.

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Back at camp, our friend Alexe dives for our dinner. He’s been coming here with his family since he was a boy, and knows these waters very well.

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He prepares fresh muscles with lemon, garlic, and tabasco sauce, and we help by drinking some good Russian wine.

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This is just one of many military sites protecting the Russian Pacific Coast in this area, as Vladivostok is also home base for the Russian Pacific Naval Fleet.

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After a long journey over rough dirt roads, we reach The Gamov lighthouse, which stands at the end of Cape Gamow.

This is the most southern lighthouse in all of Russia and provides up to 22 miles of guidance for passing ships.

In the Russian registry of Lighthouses, it’s listed as #1, and we’re lucky the lighthouse keeper lets us in for a tour.

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And just like that, after a few unforgettable days exploring the southernmost province of Russia’s far east, it’s back to the city for our farewell dinner.

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We eat and drink with a great group of supporters.

Sharing our stories of the trip, and learning more about Vladivostok from their perspectives.

Finally, one last surprise, after dinner a local DJ comes to our table and invites us to a party he’s hosting down by the water.

And of course, we accept.

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Excited and energized by all the unbelievable hospitality, wild adventures, and eye-opening encounters in Russia

I capture a few final clips and then put the camera away to share these last moments of the trip with our crew, new friends, lots of dancing, and one too many well-deserved drinks…

Gareth

My name is Gareth Leonard, a Marketing Director turned World Traveler with a passion for slow, meaningful travel. I have been traveling the world full-time for the past 9+ years and document it all on Instagram and YouTube. Come join me!