Traveling in times of corona is not possible. Virtual travel is allowed. Guide Anton Dendemarchenko took me and a number of virtual travel companions to Bender, the second city of Transnistria, the virtual country that Anton praises as the country that doesn't exist. It was a beautiful rugged tour of Soviet flats (Khrushchevas), monuments, deserted places and Ladas. Safe on the couch behind the laptop.
The tour begins with a speech by Comrade Lenin, who is still on his pedestal in Transnistria. Anton takes us to the city of Bender, an industrial city.
Anton has foreseen a walking tour, walking and filming with his phone. The recordings were made just before Transnistria was also completely locked down. You see people with face masks, the streets are already pretty empty. He has hours of footage, of which we were shown an hour or two.
The images were shot earlier, Anton gives live commentary and tells anecdotes about what we see and what we don't see. In the meantime, we can ask questions via chat, which Anton answers live.
We virtually walk through Anton's street, past Plattenbau , beautiful Volgas (the beautifully designed Soviet car for the people who mattered), Soviet factories, some of which - miraculously - are still in operation. Already closed schools with 'school' in three languages and along the station where a huge steam locomotive stands. In the meantime, we are treated to the latest information about quarantine (stricter than here), about the 1992 war over Transnistria and everyday life.
We arrive at an old abandoned port site on the Dniester, where Anton's father still worked. Now it is a maze of abandoned platforms and piers, rusting ships and cranes and port buildings of which no window is intact. Beautiful colors, very impressive in its desolate transience. Together with Anton you go through doors, you walk up and down stairs, you walk on overgrown paths along the bank.
We end with a short - still virtual - walk through Tiraspol, past the Lenin statues on the main street near the Parliament building and the House of the Soviets.
Save your local guide, book a virtual tour!
It is a very nice tour. I have seen many beautiful and new things, heard many interesting things. And does that work, such a virtual tour? Yes, it works! Very good indeed. You really imagine yourself in the Soviet Union, or I mean: Transnistria. You can of course also ask questions about what you see and what is being told, just like with a 'live' tour.
It's great to see that Anton has found a way to let people enjoy what the country that doesn't exist has to offer. And of course to make money, because the economic consequences of the lockdown are also enormous for Transnistria - and for Anton. The virtual tour is also an easy introduction to the Eastern Bloc and the former Soviet Union, from the comfort of your home. In any case, it is proof to me that I had not booked again without reason to further explore the region. And yes, then I would have booked Anton as a living guide. After the times of corona then.
Want to join a virtual journey through Transnistria?
➜ Costs: 10 euros, payable with Paypal
➜ Language: English
➜ Create an account on Twitch.
➜ Duration: 2 hours
➜ Contact Anton Dendemarchenko for upcoming virtual tours