Five reasons not to take a LADA Vesta on a long trip

Documentation

It’s convenient to put all documents in your purse so that you can quickly get them out if necessary. You need to collect papers for everyone who goes on the road:

• passport or birth certificate (for children under 14 years of age);
• international passport and/or visa – when visiting other countries;
• medical insurance policy - please note that before traveling abroad it would be good to take out additional insurance;
• driver's license - check what type of document is required in the country where you are going.

Take several bank cards with small amounts. It is better to separate the money into different accounts in case the card is lost or stolen. By blocking one of your accounts, you will not be left without a livelihood.

Don't forget about cash. In remote areas, cashless payments may not be available, so you will definitely need hard cash.

Make copies of all documents and store them separately from the originals.

For the car you also need to collect a package with documents:

• technical certificate;
• vehicle registration certificate;
• an insurance policy - compulsory motor liability insurance must be present (Casco, if available, but it is very advisable to take out one for a long journey);
• documents for the right to drive a vehicle - if the car is not yours, then you will need to issue a power of attorney or a purchase and sale agreement if the vehicle was recently purchased.

A notebook with a pen will also come in handy to take travel notes, write down new contacts and addresses. So put them in the glove compartment.

"This is my land, get out of here or pay"

E: Our goal was to get to the festival in Altai, it was held there for the first time. We wanted to get acquainted with the local culture and go there because we had read a lot about the Altai Mountains. They are massive, there are also snowy peaks and glaciers, but there is a sense of spaciousness. All of Siberia goes there on vacation. When you approach Katun, there is just a base on a base, there is nowhere to park the car.

N: The most unusual thing is that almost all the land along the main roads belongs to someone. You arrive and want to put up a tent, a local appears and declares: “This is my land, get out of here or pay.”

E: At the same time, we must take into account that even if this is a camping site, the conditions there are Spartan. Essentially the same as in a tent. It’s just that this house, roughly speaking, will not be blown away by the wind. Water from a river or stream, the toilet is at best a separate building.

N: In general, the views are cool - I now understand why Russians go there in droves.

Then we returned towards Barnaul, but turned a little earlier, to Novokuznetsk and went to the capital of Kuzbass, Kemerovo. There we looked at coal mines, the history of coal mining, and visited museums.

Krasnoyarsk is a city that pleasantly surprised us. It blew our minds - I think this is the best city in Russia. Everything there is made for life. You walk around, and you enjoy being there, there is everything for active/passive recreation. And there is also the second largest zoo in Russia.

Yenisei, Sayan mountain range.

After Krasnoyarsk we went to the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, the largest in Russia and the second largest in Asia. And they regretted it - the station is not watchable at all: you are up against two mountains, there is a concrete wall in the distance, it is impossible to move to the sides. But tourists go there.

What not to take on a trip

There is a list of products that are strongly recommended not to be taken when traveling by car. This includes perishable products, in particular:

• a variety of salads, prepared using mayonnaise or sour cream;
• boiled potatoes without skin or vegetables boiled in water;
• boiled sausage and frankfurters.
• soft-boiled eggs, as well as vegetables and fruits with damaged skins;
• boiled meat;
• butter;
• chocolate.

Forget about fish (even if the temperature is maintained, it spoils extremely quickly). It is not recommended to take milk. If poisoned, your trip will turn into hell. Eliminate all fatty foods from your diet: chicken, hamburgers, French fries and the like. They are extremely difficult to digest, so they can only increase the feeling of hunger. Also, after eating fatty foods you always want to drink a lot. Not only will you use water faster, but you will also need to stop to go to the toilet more often.

“Huge mountains of slag almost in the city itself”

The children had a good time on this trip. We learned to lure them, and every 200 kilometers we made sure to stop to walk around and warm up. Before the Urals, we had cities every day. So we walked some of the time and drove some of the time. In the morning we already started to see the city and explore the sights.

E: In the cities we split up: one went to photograph the sights, and the other went with the children to the playground or children's park.

N: After Ufa we went to Yekaterinburg through small Ural towns. Among the first was Miass, where Urals are assembled.

Next comes Zlatoust, Karabash - the dirtiest city in Russia and the planet until 2000. There was the Karabashmed enterprise, there was acid rain, the vegetation almost disappeared. Although locals say that it has become cleaner now, it still looks sad. You approach the city, and all around are scorched Martian landscapes. The street in front of the enterprise is completely uninhabited; everyone has moved out.

Afterwards we stayed with friends in Upper Ufaley for two days. They gave us excursions to the lakes and mountains. In addition, we visited nickel mines. Huge mountains of slag almost in the city itself look depressing.

E: In general, in the Urals there are many urban landscapes where pipes stick out right in the middle of the city and smoke.

N: In Yekaterinburg we looked at the city itself and the nearby gold mines. Then we got to Tyumen - this is the first city that impressed me with its cleanliness and, let’s say, “niceness.” The embankment there is especially steep.

In Omsk we wanted to swim in the Irtysh, but the locals dissuaded us, saying that the river was dirty. So we just took a walk and looked at the monument to Kolchak.

We stopped in Novosibirsk for a couple of days. This is the third largest city in Russia, but at the same time one of the youngest - 140 years old. To be honest, overall there is nothing to watch. But there is an academic town, a large railway museum, the Ob Sea - that’s where we stayed. This was the only place in Siberia where we did not find mosquitoes. But there were so many midges that they simply couldn’t talk!

Then we headed towards Barnaul and Biysk.

Tools and automotive equipment

Even before departure, it is worth preparing the car for a long trip: check the technical condition of the vehicle at a car service center and carry out repairs if necessary. This will protect you from incidents on the highway.

But even a serviceable iron horse may need minor repairs. A responsible motorist will always have gear in his trunk for almost any emergency, but make sure you have everything you need before heading out on the road. So, what should be in the trunk:

1. Spare wheel, wrench, jack and kit for repairing minor tire punctures.
2. Compressor for inflating tires with a pressure gauge: foot-operated or electric, or better yet both.
3. Set of wrenches and screwdrivers.
4. Pliers.
5. High quality tow rope.
6. Car light bulbs.
7. Spare wipers.
8. Set of fuses.
9. Fluids: brake, antifreeze, oil.
10. Cigarette lighter wires.
11. Batteries for the alarm key fob.
12. A reflective vest for each passenger - to get out of the car at night.
13. Fire extinguisher.
14. Warning triangle.
15. Electrical tape will help temporarily repair wiring.
16. Glass and mirror cleaner, as well as microfiber cloths.
17. Water for glass washer – at least 5 liters.
18. Gloves for dirty work.
19. Anti-traction tracks are toothed plates that are placed under the wheels. They will come in handy if you get stuck in snow, mud or get into a rut. Some people take a small bag of stones for this purpose.
20. A bag of salt for driving off the ice.
21. Shovel - to remove snow from under the wheels.

Get acquainted with the structure of the car in advance and figure out how to replace certain parts.

Also on the trip you may need: sunglasses, a battery-powered flashlight (preferably a headlamp), large adhesive tape (a universal and very useful thing). Take a small can of gasoline with you, especially if you are refueling with AI-95. It may not be available at gas stations in remote areas, and a “stash” will help out a lot.

The child must be in a child car seat. If you don’t have it, then buy it and install it in the salon in advance.

When you travel to a new area, you need to be fully prepared: you don’t know what difficulties you will encounter along the way. This also applies to route planning.

1. Navigator with updated maps. I know that many people use the navigation system on their phone, but it depends on Internet access and therefore often malfunctions.
2. A detailed paper map - for peace of mind and confidence.
3. A dash cam will not only provide evidence in the event of an accident, but will also record a video of the journey from start to finish.

Before traveling abroad, familiarize yourself with the traffic rules of your destination country. You may need to remove the tint or equip your vehicle with additional signs.

“The fact that we were traveling far in a Lada scared us a little”

Nikolay (N): My wife and I have always been attracted by the Altai Mountains and the iconic Baikal, and from the lake it’s a short distance to the Far East. My mother-in-law used to serve in Chita, so we decided to go there and have a look. And there it was completely nonsense until Khabarovsk and Primorye. We planned to travel for 70 days - we fit into this schedule perfectly, we traveled for 68 days.

We gave up hotels last year when we drove 14,000 kilometers to the southern point of the Persian Gulf and back. There were great difficulties with the booking: we arrived in Baku, and we were refused occupancy - the owner of the apartment re-let it. We learned about this when there were a couple of hours left before the capital of Azerbaijan.

So now we just take tents and travel in the summer. Firstly, we save money, and secondly, it is very convenient: we are not in a hurry, we feel free.

The fact that we were driving a long distance in a Lada scared us a little. But it was Russia that frightened me the most—the unknown and the fears that people impose. However, no one else even came close to the car. The only time during the entire trip they tried to scam us out of money was in Vladivostok. For a place where we could camp freely, they allegedly tried to charge us for camping. They asked on what basis and where the documents were - “oh, we made a mistake.” And they left.

What to prepare for a trip

You can always prepare delicious and simple meals for your trip in advance. A baked potato is a win-win option. Almost everyone loves it, it can be stored for a long time and does not take up much space in your bag. The second integral component is boiled eggs. Take only those whose shells remain intact after cooking. The presence of cracks will lead to the development of bacteria, and the eggs will spoil very quickly.

We recommend that housewives bake homemade pizza, pasties or khachapuri. They can be easily stored in parchment paper or a bag in the refrigerator. Similarly, you can prepare charlotte, strudel or analogues at home. If you have thermoses, you can prepare the first and second courses, but you will have to eat them first.

Quick and easy to prepare are:

• Hot sandwiches. Make toast or croutons, cool, then spread with cream cheese. Then top with your favorite vegetables and chopped egg, sprinkle with cheese and bake.
• Sandwich. Make toast from regular bread. Spread with cream cheese in the same way. Place vegetables or meat on top. It is recommended to use at the beginning of the trip.
• Spring rolls. For cooking you will need vegetables, rice paper and crab sticks. First, unroll the rice sheets, moisten them with warm water, then place all the ingredients on them and roll them into a tube.
• Pasta is the greatest invention of mankind. They do not spoil even in extreme heat, can be stored in ordinary containers, eaten cold, and most importantly, they are filling. They will help remove hunger on any trip.

These are the easiest homemade meals you can take on a road trip.

Catering

For your first snack, make sandwiches, baked pies, and boil eggs. The possibilities expand significantly if you have a cooler bag. It allows you to pack cheese (hard or processed), raw smoked sausage, boiled or baked meat, and a large supply of fruits and vegetables. It’s good if the supplies are in vacuum packaging: this increases the shelf life significantly.

Pack instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, salt and chewing gum. Of course, you can’t do without a strategic food reserve: instant noodles and canned food are undoubted favorites.

Don't forget about devices and related accessories:

• knife or multitool;
• forks and spoons - according to the number of passengers;
• plates - also according to the number of participants;
• deep bowl - to make salad;
• mugs - if thermos lids are not enough;
• tablecloth - cover the trunk or table;
• cutting board.

Be sure to load up several five-liter water bottles. Suddenly there will be no place to replenish drinking water supplies. Also bring water disinfection tablets.

Fill thermoses. Pour coffee into one: it will help the driver to cheer up, and in the other - tea (black, green, herbal - to your taste).

It is worth taking a thermos with a wide neck for a hot dish. It's enough for one meal. Then it’s convenient to brew noodles or instant soup in it.

To cheer up the driver, buy a couple of cans of energy drink or caffeine tablets. Of course, it is more prudent to stop and rest a little, but sometimes the situation does not allow it, so it is better to have an invigorating remedy.

Just keep in mind that caffeine tablets do not act immediately, but after about half an hour or an hour. Do not increase your dose unless you feel an immediate effect. Any of these substances should not be taken if you have heart problems!

If you don’t want to stop to refill your thermos, a thermal mug powered by a cigarette lighter will solve the problem. You won't be left without a hot drink with her.

There are two nutrition strategies you can use while traveling:

1. Stop at cafes and canteens.
2. Do your own cooking.

In the second case, you will be able to enjoy your journey to the fullest and look into interesting places. If this option is closer to you, then you will have to take a solid reserve of products with you, go to stores and spend time organizing an impromptu kitchen. Here is a list of what you will need in addition to the above:

• folding table and chairs;
• grill, skewers or grill;
• camping gas stove and cylinders for it;
• kettle or saucepan;
• ladle;
• coals;
• cereals, onions, potatoes.

You can try to catch fish yourself: diversify your diet and have fun. So don’t forget your fishing gear: fishing rod, tackle, bait.

On the road, it’s incredibly tempting to chew something. In addition, this is a great way to combat motion sickness and pass the time. Stock up on various goodies: nuts, chocolate, marmalade, candies, cookies, crackers. They suppress hunger when you can no longer wait until you stop.

“Offering the services of a qualified shaman”

E: Irkutsk did not impress us. Gray city, nothing. The only attraction is that the Decembrists once lived there; museums are dedicated to them. That's all.

N: But you can’t avoid Irkutsk if you go to Baikal. In Slyudyanka there is a cool view of the southern point of the lake. The locals were asked where is the best place to relax on Lake Baikal. They said that there are two sides: one with forests near Buryatia, the second with steppes near the Irkutsk region. On the way to Vladivostok we drove around the lake along the eastern coast - we ended up liking it more for relaxation, and back along the western coast.

Buddhism can be felt in Ulan-Ude. There are even advertisements there offering the services of a qualified shaman. The city also has the cheapest gas in Russia - 16 rubles per liter. We have, if anything, 30.

E: Crane wells were found near Chita. There were also inscriptions about wells and operating modes. In one of the villages we stopped to get water, and indeed there was a booth, and in it there was a well that gave people artesian water. For life, people get water from here, because, they say, the rest of the area is more technical, there is a lot of iron.

N: After Baikal, a problem arose with gas stations - we couldn’t always find a gas station with gas. From Chita to Khabarovsk there are 2000 kilometers, and the distance between gas stations is 1300. Plus, they do not operate around the clock, but from, for example, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I had to switch to gasoline. True, the further from Central Russia, the more expensive it is.

What are the difficulties of choosing?

The thing about traveling on your own is that you need nutritious and relatively “compact” food. You will not be able to cook something on the spot (for example, scrambled eggs and similar dishes), so you will have to take “ready-made” food, which can be eaten immediately after unpacking. The second important problem is the lack of a full-fledged refrigerator. Freezer bags will only keep things fresh for 1-3 hours (or 10-12 when using batteries). Here it is worth taking a closer look at non-perishable products if the trip is made in the summer. You should also be guided by your taste preferences. Tasteless food can only increase hunger.

"Jerky" motor

The VAZ engine is very twitchy, notes the Vesta owner. The unit creates strong vibration, especially in traffic jams and with the air conditioning on:

“This twitching at the bottom is annoying. I decided that if I don’t sell Vesta, I will reflash it.”

Photo: LADA Vesta - exterior in profile and rear, source: LADA and novayalada.ru
Among other inconveniences, which, nevertheless, I managed to get used to, the driver about the gearbox, the “boom” of the suspension on a shallow comb and the sound of the windows.

Among the advantages of the car, Russian car enthusiasts highlight the spacious interior, fairly high ground clearance and rich options for reasonable money. The price tag for LADA Vesta today starts from 654 thousand rubles. For the top version they will ask 974 thousand rubles.

Comfortable accommodation

For a comfortable fit, it is advisable to buy pillows that are installed on the headrest, or collar pillows. They will relieve tension from your neck and allow you to take a comfortable nap.

A blanket or blanket will probably come in handy, especially if you have a child traveling with you in the car. Small children usually sleep on the road, so you should take care that the baby does not get cold. A warm blanket will keep you warm longer if you suddenly get stuck on the highway in winter.

Equip the interior with various organizers and pockets. Fortunately, there are a great many of them now. This will allow you to use the space wisely and avoid a mess.

Stock up on garbage bags. You're not going to throw trash out the window, are you? It is worth getting rid of it in specially equipped places.

Equipment largely depends on the season. On summer tours you can really get by with the minimum:

• headdress - so as not to get hot on your head at a rest stop;
• change of socks and underwear - after a shower in a hotel or a swim in the river, you will probably want to change into something clean;
• flip flops or slippers - so that you don’t have to put on your shoes for a long time when you get out of the car.

• warm jacket - for going outside;
• warm boots - needed in the cold season, because feet freeze the fastest;
• hat and scarf – extra warmth never hurts;
• thermal underwear – ensures normal heat exchange and prevents you from sweating.

Grab a thread and a needle - in case you need some minor clothing repairs.

For those who plan to take long breaks and spend the night in nature, the following travel equipment is required:

• tent;
• sleeping bags or air mattress and blankets;
• hatchet;
• matches and dry fuel for the fire;
• hanging lantern;
• mosquito and tick repellents.

Read more about what outdoor gear you should take in our other article.

If you plan to spend the night in a vehicle, then buy an air mattress for the back seat. It has a special shape that allows you to organize an almost full double bed.

“I expected Moscow to be bigger”

We specially prepared the car for the trip, installed gas equipment - it cost $380, and of course we were removed from the warranty. Gas in Russia is much cheaper than here, in some places even up to 50 percent. This allowed significant savings on fuel. The cylinder was installed instead of the spare wheel, and the wheel was hung on a bracket at the back. Now we have removed it so that the door does not sag.

Plus, we bought two large boxes, imitation Thule, especially for this purpose. This made it possible to increase the trunk by almost 1000 liters. We only put light things like tents or blankets in the boxes. Pots, a barbecue, a stove, gas for it - it was all in the main trunk, so as not to create unnecessary pressure on the roof.

Elena (E): Although the boxes are budget, they fully justified themselves. Two boxes cost a total of $450. There were no problems, although once we hit them very hard.

N: We left on June 15th. I have never been to Moscow, and my wife was there when I was 13-14 years old. And we have good friends living there, who gladly invited us and arranged a two-day tour of the city. We specially timed our entry to avoid traffic jams; it was the weekend. We saw a lot, including Red Square - by the way, there are more Chinese there than locals. Moscow surprised me in that it was as spacious as Minsk, but I expected it to be larger.

Then we drove along the Golden Ring of Russia in about a week, two cities a day - the distances are short, up to 100 kilometers between them. By that time we had already covered about 1000 kilometers.

Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan - already 2000 kilometers behind.

Then there were Yoshkar-Ola and Cheboksary - small but authentic cities.

Near Naberezhnye Chelny we met the Dakar KAMAZ team. They were just driving two cars to the Silk Road. They passed us twice, we barely caught up with them, and only because they stopped to smoke. We calmly drove 100-120 kilometers per hour.

In Ufa we had our first overnight stay in a car. Before this, we spent the night in tents near lakes and rivers - the summer allowed this, it was very warm. The first rain caught us in Ufa, and at the same time we crossed the first time zone there - we gained two hours.

Hygiene

Cleanliness is the key to health. This should not be forgotten. First of all, take care of the cleanliness of your hands: sanitizers and wet wipes should be present in large quantities and used regularly. Otherwise, it’s not far from an intestinal infection. You will also need dry wipes and toilet paper.

Nothing pleases more than a fresh and neat appearance. To maintain a decent appearance, install:

Women should bring decorative cosmetics. Of course, applying full war paint will be unnecessary, and makeup for the skin is not an easy task, but touching up the lips and eyelashes is quite appropriate.

Rules for preparing food for a trip

To keep your food as long as possible, you need to follow a few tips:

1. Use cooler bags. An alternative option could be bottles of water that have been previously frozen in the freezer. Ice will help keep the temperature in your grocery bag low.
2. Use only foil, parchment paper and food-grade plastic containers to store rations.
3. Pack a bag of refrigerated items. Do not place hot cakes or baked goods. Be sure to refrigerate it.
4. Throw away food that has begun to spoil. This is a necessary step to prevent the bacteria from spreading to other food.

Maintaining a low temperature is the key to preserving food.

First aid kit

According to the rules, a car must have a first aid kit with a minimum set of the most important medical devices. Check the expiration date of each package, and if it has already expired or is close to it, then replace the product with a new one.

If you are going on a long trip and are not sure whether there are pharmacies there, then supplement the standard kit with the following medications:

1. Remedies for motion sickness.
2. Antipyretics and cold medicines.
3. Antihistamines.
4. Broad-spectrum painkillers.
5. Hydrogen peroxide.
6. Medicines for diarrhea and poisoning.
7. Oral rehydration solution.
8. Digital Thermometer.
9. Elastic bandage for sprains.
10. Cream “Panthenol” for burns.

To save space, remove all medications from the box, wrap them with instructions and secure them with an elastic band.

Pay special attention to this category of luggage if you are traveling abroad. Learn the rules of the country you are traveling to. Most likely, you will need a prescription for imported drugs, so make sure to get one from your doctor in advance.

“They scared us about the roads, but they are good”

After Khabarovsk there were 400 kilometers left to Vladivostok. We specially went to a certain date - Navy Day, we wanted to see how the holiday and the parade of warships took place. We had a lot of time to spare, so we decided to stop by the Sea of ​​Japan to relax. In the bay for two days we stood as “savages” among the tents of the locals who were also resting there. During this time we were taken to the fleet to look at the ships up close.

Unfortunately, on the day of the holiday there was fog, we saw little: some ships, some shooting, something rattling somewhere! But in the city the atmosphere is really festive, everyone is wearing vests and holding flags.

I would like to note that we didn’t see anyone drunk in Russia, with the exception of one guy who was there after the wedding. The country is not that drinking. Secondly, we were scared of the roads - we drove through, and they are very good! They are monitored, they are repaired even at night and in any weather - there is progress in this regard.

From Vladivostok we left for warmer bays - we were told that the season in the Primorsky Territory begins on August 1st. Indeed, on the 1st the weather improved so much that I didn’t want to leave.

To be continued! Tomorrow in the second part of the text you will find out where the worst roads are, the most disgusting gas, how much Nikolai and Elena’s family spent on the trip and how Largus Cross behaved.

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