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If you ask random counter, where the commander Islands, the majority will find it difficult to answer. And some will be surprised to learn that it is Russia. To get to the edge of the earth, as many call them, is not so simple, and tours can cost more than 100 thousand rubles per person. However, the pristine nature and spectacular views that are waiting for infrequent travelers who dared to walk in such a long journey is worth it.
The best time to come here mid summer or early fall. Particularly suitable months to travel are August and September, when commanders meet rare visitors numerous berries and mushrooms, and the coast filled with "tourists" are there sea lions.
Country of fogs and rains
The commander Islands is called an archipelago of four Islands located on the border between the Bering sea and the Pacific ocean. These places are called the land of rain and fog — the last show how changeable the weather can be. The veil may appear suddenly, hiding from the eyes of travelers, the waterfalls, animals, landscapes, and as abruptly disappear.
Some researchers and local residents jokingly allocate only two seasons — white winter and green. The average temperature in February is -4 °C and the average August temperature of 10 °C. And despite the fact that the photos travelers you can watch the turquoise waves that beckon for a swim, the water temperature even in the warmest time hardly rises to +10 °C.
The Inhabitants Of The Commanders
The only place on the commander with the constant presence of a man is Bering island. Here is the village of Nikol'skoe, which is home to about 700 people. The rest is entirely belongs to the nature: there are cunning foxes who have learned how to beg for infrequent tourists for food, on the coasts of arrange noisy rookeries of fur seals and in the sky and on the slopes spend their wedding a variety of bird life.
A large part of the commander Islands is the largest marine reserve in Russia. Fauna it is represented by 1000 species of animals, including reindeer, once escaped from the farm and taken root on the Islands of the mink, and ten species of North Pacific pinnipeds. Commander in the reserve are sea lions, known as the sea lions — a species that has long been on the verge of extinction. Among marine species is also very many whales. Only in these places you can find 21 species, 14 of them rare or endangered.
Reserved places
The commander Islands are striking in their beauty. Here there are quiet coves and beaches (the most famous — Podatelna and Midday), waterfalls with crystal clear waters, bizarre caves. Each of the Islands of the archipelago in its own way attractive. For example, Copper can find a lot of amazing landscapes and a variety of bird species. The last suit on the rocks noisy bird colonies. To fully feel the spirit of unspoiled nature, many travelers prefer to stay on the commander Islands in tents and to live not one day, watching the inhabitants and walking along the local beaches.
Sacred beauty is one of the reasons why here come the photographers. As part of the expedition Nikon Special Project it was visited by Kirill Umrikhin — traveler and a professional photographer who shoots extreme sports, and is a Nikon Ambassador. Of his visit, the photographer has brought a lot of amazing shots and also a lot of impressions. As recognized then Cyril himself, thinking that in these places they are the first and no one previously has not yet skated on the commander on the kite or surf and not walking on these wild beaches, there is quite an amazing feeling. After all, here on the edge of the world, you really can be a pioneer. And from these thoughts is breathtaking.
Edge or paradise?
There is almost no tourist infrastructure on the Commander Islands. In the only residential point there is only one hotel, designed for about 20 people, and the products can be bought in just a few shops. At the same time, local prices can surprise even the most sophisticated travelers: for example, eggs, meat and chicken are much more expensive than on the mainland, and when searching for fermented milk products and fresh greens, problems may arise. But fish and caviar are cheap, and mussels are completely free - they can be collected at low tide from reefs.
From interesting places to visit in Nikolsky is the Aleutian Museum of Local Lore, where you can look at the skeletons of many marine animals, including the disappeared ones. For example, the famous sea Steller's cow. The museum also features a collection of semiprecious stones that were found on the islands, excavation objects, various fossils and minerals.
Locals affably treat few tourists. And they love their island very much. So, to Kirill's question about whether they are on the edge of the earth, the inhabitants answered in surprise: "No, we are in the paradise of the earth."
What you need to see
Commander Islands - one continuous sight. True, not in the usual sense for ordinary tourists. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing special to do here, but this is not so: travelers can endlessly admire the scenery, discovering each island, and when they get tired, you can go on a kind of "tourist routes."In the north and north-west of Bering Island, as well as in the non-southeast of Medniy, special platforms are equipped to observe the largest fur-seal rookeries. Most of the "resting" animals can be observed from mid to late summer.
In addition to rookeries, Steller’s Arch is located in the northern part of Bering Island. This impressive natural formation attracts the eye and amazes with its monumentality. And here you can see the ocean birds and enjoy the rest at the picturesque waterfall. In the south-east of the island is the lake Sarannoe - the largest spawning area in the reserve.
Another interesting place is Bayan Bay. Here you can feel like real treasure hunters, gathering on the beaches placers of bright stones polished with water. Jasper and opal deposits are located on the coast, and transparent and dull chalcedony and patterned agate are also found. These stones are not uncommon, however, according to some experts, it is here, on the Commander, have the best shape and quality.
In addition to natural attractions, on the Commander Islands there are historical and cultural sites. Among them is the expedition site, headed by Vitus Bering, and the grave of the famous navigator.
