Volcanoes, vodka and "vildlife" in Russia"s Far East. Why go to Kamchatka? There are no luxury hotels or international spas; no jolly pubs or swanky wine bars and even if there were glamourous beach resorts there are almost no roads to get to them. Although there is a plethora of fish, nowhere can you find it more wonderfully cooked than on a Kamchatkan campfire! This extraordinary country is not for the faint-hearted. But it has some of the most stunning and dramatic volcanic scenery in the world and an inordinate amount of wildlife. To sit on a berry-covered hill and watch reindeer floating down a valley against a backdrop of volcanoes, to go fly-fishing on the Paratunka River or sit in a boat on Lake Kurilskoye and discover a brown bear only yards away; to climb an active volcano and peer down into the depths of its crater are all privileges not afforded to many. Gleadhill"s diary account of two Irish ladies "d"un Certain Age" in Russia"s Far East draws us into this magnificent landscape. Includes features on: Volcanoes, vodka and "vildlife" in Russia"s Far East Historical background to Kamchatka, its early explorers and indigenous peoples World Heritage site Geography and geology Birds, bears and big horn sheep Economy, environment and the future Flora and fauna Sport fishing and other adventure activities Where to stay How to get there 135 photographs and 10 maps