Off to Russia

Meeting George and Victoria on the way Read more

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Trip start
October 7, 2019
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Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 4:15 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 167 m
England Mossley 53.51857, -2.0400353°31’7” N 2°2’24” W
Setting off
October 6, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Getting the train to the airport, where we are stopping tonight as our flight tomorrow is at 6 a.m.!
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Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 7:00 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 68 m
England Manchester Airport Railway Station 53.36532, -2.2761153°21’55” N 2°16’34” W
Evening
October 6, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Sitting in our nice room, overlooking the runway. We'll be off to bed soon as we've got an early 3 a.m. call!
TravelerSafe travels - have a great trip - looking forward to the pics Xx
10/6/19Reply
TravelerSweet dreams. Big adventures. Xx
10/6/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 7, 2019 at 5:01 AM
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 83 m
England Manchester Airport 53.36673, -2.2792353°22’0” N 2°16’45” W
Breakfast
October 7, 2019 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Well, we asked for an early morning call. The phone didn't ring but the light flashed! Fortunately, we were already awake! First disaster averted.
Washed, packed up and my suitcase handle decided not to extend, so I ended up dragging it to the lifts and out of the hotel. At least there were luggage trolleys outside, phew. Disaster number 2 averted.
Straight through to the check in desk and then to security, where I must have set off every thing going! Forgot my spare inhaler and left that on my bag, had to go through the stand up scanner AND then had to be frisked (no shoes on, jewellery in my bag!!). Then, my coat got caught in the scanner and had to go back through. Finally, in the departure lounge and we spy Burger King.
We found the automated order and placed our order, for the print out to be out of paper. Stu went and got our order only to find that my burger hadn't been ordered!
Think I'll stay at home!!!!Read more
TravelerThink of a song title 🤔. Things can only get better. I'm sure they will. Relax now & enjoy. Xx
10/7/19Reply
TravelerYes, I think they will xxx
10/7/19Reply
TravelerAre you sure you’re not really called Miranda? 😘 I think you’ve used up your mishap quota - things are now on the up - Have fun 😘😘
10/7/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM
⛅ 2 °C
Altitude: 139 m
Russia Red Square 55.75558, 37.615155°45’20” N 37°36’54” E
1
Moscow
October 7, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
Flights were uneventful, on time and they didn't lose our luggage ( Stu was a bit concerned thinking it may not catch up with us if it had got lost). Got a very expensive taxi from the airport to the hotel (don't tell Victoria!), and the hotel is nice, we can see the Kremlin from our bedroom!
Been out for a walk, bought a sim card and then walked to Red Square. Its bitterly cold, 2 degrees at the moment! So glad I brought a new thick coat! Just having a bite to eat before setting off back to the hotel and the next leg of this epic tour.Read more
Traveler Looks truly amazing. Xx
10/7/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 7, 2019 at 11:04 PM
⛅ 1 °C
Altitude: 158 m
Russia Yaroslavsky railway station 55.77669, 37.6573855°46’36” N 37°39’27” E
Train station
October 7, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C
We're now at Yaroslavskaya station, waiting to board out trans Siberian Express to Vladivostok. It leaves at 00:35, and we should be able to board shortly.
TravelerAnd so the real adventure begins. I do so hope it's a great one. Can't wait to hear/see what your cabin is like 😲🤞xx
10/7/19Reply
TravelerUmm!!😂😂😂
10/7/19Reply
TravelerGlad to see info board at station is in English and not in Crylic
10/8/19Reply
TravelerIt was in both Dad, it alternated between them both. The announcements were in English too. We're so fortunate as we don't know any Russian x
10/8/19Reply
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 12:18 AM
⛅ 1 °C
Altitude: 133 m
Russia Vokzal Leningradskiy 55.77932, 37.6567355°46’46” N 37°39’24” E
Compartment
October 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C
Well, what can I say?
TravelerWell 😲 that's cosy. Have you played sardines before 😂😂😂
10/8/19Reply
Traveler😂😂😂😂 so far we are on our own, so we may be okay!
10/8/19Reply
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 9:54 AM
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 108 m
Russia Stantsiya Galich 58.37012, 42.3436558°22’12” N 42°20’37” E
1
312 miles from Moscow
October 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
7th stop so far, this is Galich. We are here for around 40 mins. We've travelled through snowy Woodlands to get here, so guess the outside temp must be just above freezing. Its snowing now too!
Traveler What are you doing about food 🥘??
10/8/19Reply
TravelerWell, we bought a few bits with us from the station before we boarded, but there's a restaurant car on the train - just have to find it. Also, there are vendors who sell food at the stations and at this station there is a shop just by the station. Xx
10/8/19Reply
TravelerWhat’s your final destination Min, Xx
10/8/19Reply
TravelerVladivostok, where we meet George and Victoria then on to Nhodka as its Victoria's mums birthday and we're going to a party x
10/8/19Reply
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 3:37 PM
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 153 m
Russia Malyye Soski 58.29288, 47.1284258°17’34” N 47°7’42” E
495 miles from Moscow
October 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Shabalino train station, another nice building.
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 7:33 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 245 m
Russia Yekaterinburg 56.8519, 60.612256°51’7” N 60°36’44” E
Dining
October 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We found the restaurant car and are having our tea. It's not very busy, but most people bring their own food or buy it on the station. It's supposed to be quite expensive, but I thinks it's about average.Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 6:29 PM
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 133 m
Russia Stantsiya Kirov 58.57912, 49.6530258°34’45” N 49°39’11” E
Kirov
October 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
TravelerGood to see it's getting warmer. Now 2 degrees instead of 1. 😂😂😂.
10/8/19Reply
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Day 3
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 11:27 AM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 276 m
Russia Gornozavodskiy 56.86826, 60.6149156°52’6” N 60°36’54” E
1
Yekaterinburg
October 9, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
So, stop number I can't remember. We are here for nearly an hour, so plenty of time to shop for necessities, and have a wander along the platform before my legs seize up! It was here the Romanov's came to their end, but haven't got time to go and see anything, unfortunately. Its warmer here too, and we've left the snow behind - for now, at any rate. We had visitors in the night, but they've got off here, think they were all new train crew, with their smart hats and coats. There were about 20 in all, marching along the platform. The engine pictured isn't our engine, but one on the adjacent track, same as ours though. As we go along this line, we have several engine changes as we go from one train company to another. Lots of maintenance trains too and I saw about 3 gangs of workers yesterday. It's good to know that the track is looked after very well.Read more
Traveler Oh yes, the ubiquitous IKEA, famous yellow and blue box!! 😅😅
10/9/19Reply
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Day 3
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 5:17 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 87 m
Russia Stantsiya Tyumen’57.14617, 65.520457°8’46” N 65°31’13” E
Tyumen
October 9, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
2nd big stop today, no more really until tomorrow. Going to taste the delights of the restaurant car later though. Engine change again and the blokes were out with their hammers, testing the undercarriage. Glad to know they take safety so seriously.Read more
TravelerGood to know you're in safe hands. xx
10/9/19Reply
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Day 4
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 8:15 AM
⛅ 4 °C
Altitude: 135 m
Russia Staroshcherbakovo 55.35782, 78.5195455°21’28” N 78°31’10” E
Between Barabinsk and Kargat
October 10, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C
It's cold out and I've woken up to find we've lost another 2 hours, so now 4 hrs ahead of Moscow and 6 ahead of England! Went through Omsk in the night. Saw some lovely stars too as it was very clear. Novosibirsk next.Read more
TravelerBeautiful stars
10/9/19Reply
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Day 4
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 12:04 PM
☀️ 6 °C
Altitude: 121 m
Russia Zaton 55.03598, 82.8956955°2’10” N 82°53’44” E
Novosibirsk 2078 miles from Moscow
October 10, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
Here for nearly an hour, so again a good time to get provisions. The train is 12 carriages long plus 2 service wagons. It's a lovely bright sunny day with glorious blue skies.
TravelerWe walked 70 odd miles during our 3 week stay in Novosibirsk so got to know the place pretty well - did you stop and see any of the places - Lenin Square is quite impressive, the theatre is supposed to be one of the best in Russia and they have a large zoo. Sounds like you’re enjoying your Russian adventure - Dos va Danya Xx
10/10/19Reply
TravelerNo, we didn't leave the station. Lots of places we want to go, but not on this trip. We'll have to come again, especially as we don't see Lake Baikal in the daylight!!!
10/10/19Reply
TravelerRussia is so much more beautiful than I had thought. Are you speaking any Russian yet? Xx
10/10/19Reply
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Day 4
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 5:58 PM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 147 m
Russia Novosibirsk 55.041, 82.942855°2’28” N 82°56’34” E
2312 miles from Moscow
October 10, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
I decided to take a picture of the setting sun through the trees, and got a telegraph pole too!! Second go is better. The bear is Stu's, getting in all the pictures.
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Day 4
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 7:04 PM
⛅ 2 °C
Altitude: 138 m
Russia Stantsiya Mariinsk 56.21333, 87.7413956°12’48” N 87°44’29” E
2
Mariinsk
October 10, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
We are late! So far we have been on time everywhere, but we've arrived here about half an hour behind. Had a quick trot along the platform, but it was too cold to stay out for long. Stu is getting his nicotine fix, as the next stop will be tomorrow morning, and not sure if we'll go through another time zone. Stood by our carriage to try and give you an idea of the length of the train. The first one is towards the engine, the second towards the rear.Read more
Traveler That's long. Are you getting plenty of steps in 😂😂. Lovely blue skies even if it is cold. I assume it's toasty warm on the train. Are you sleeping ok? 😴xx
10/10/19Reply
Traveler Wish I was getting plenty of steps - don't really move much out of our carriage! Sleeping quite well, but body doesn't really know what time it is, so we both sleep when we are tired. We've only had 2 passengers with us, and only for a part night, so we're still on our own in the compartment, which is quite good really. The train itself is warm, sometimes too warm and I'm glad I have my trusty fan! Off to the restaurant car in a mo for tea, not sure what delights we'll have tonight. 😁😁
10/10/19Reply
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 9:03 AM
☀️ -7 °C
Altitude: 316 m
Russia Stantsiya Tayshet 55.93877, 98.0006755°56’20” N 98°0’2” E
2795 miles from Moscow
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ -7 °C
Now arriving, for 2 minutes, at Tayshet. We were joined in our compartment by 2 railway workers last night. They arrived about 9:30 and left us in the early hours, about 3 a.m. Later, there was a bit of a fracas with a drunk, but the guard sorted him out! Not headed out yet, but the station clock says its -7 degrees. It looks cold, with frost on the grass. We lost another hour last night, so 5 hours behind Moscow and 7 behind England. 1 more to go till we are in the same time zone as Victoria and George.Read more
Traveler-7 that's a bit chilly. ❄️⛄️. Hope you packed your fur knickers. 😲👍😂😂xxx
10/11/19Reply
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 11:33 AM
☀️ -1 °C
Altitude: 407 m
Russia Stantsiya Nizhneudinsk 54.89315, 99.0279754°53’35” N 99°1’41” E
Nizhneudinsk, 2913 miles from Moscow
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ -1 °C
Just nipped out but it's too cold to stay out long! Here for 13 minutes, so long enough for Stu to have his nicotine fix, but there's no food on the platform here. It's not too bad really, as we got some yesterday. We've been wandering round the landscape, with the train winding around the hill side. First sight of the Ural mountains too, crowned with snow. Lots and lots of trees! Next stop about 3 o'clock for 30 minutes, when the engine will probably be changed. It's nice to see the sign, letting us know in which direction we are heading 😁😁.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 3:48 PM
☀️ 0 °C
Altitude: 551 m
Russia Stantsiya Kuytun 54.32541, 101.5017154°19’31” N 101°30’6” E
Kuytun
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Now in Kuytun, over an hour late! Have to make up some time.
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 5:08 PM
☀️ 0 °C
Altitude: 454 m
Russia Stantsiya Zima 53.92615, 102.0507653°55’34” N 102°3’3” E
1
Zika, over half way
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Late, running about an hour behind. Changing the engine here, we've now got a blue one! Managed to buy some provisions, but there was only 1 shop and it was quite busy. Only needed cheese spread, so I hope that's what I got 😁😁. This maintenance train came past too. We had to cross the line to get to the shop, but we met some english speaking Spanish (I think), 2 lads who are quite well travelled. Stu wonders if they may be Polish, but they speak good English.Read more
Traveler That was noisy 😲😂😂
10/11/19Reply
Traveler😋 yummy. I hope 🤞xx
10/11/19Reply
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 6:43 PM
🌙 -3 °C
Altitude: 554 m
Russia Cheremkhovo 53.15488, 103.0792353°9’18” N 103°4’45” E
Tea
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 -3 °C
Off to the restaurant car, Stu had a sort of Ceasar salad whilst I had ham omelette and chips. We watched the sun set and the moon rise. Nice Russian beer too.
TravelerBon appetite. Don't know the Russian. 🤔😂😂xx
10/11/19Reply
TravelerNo, me neither xx
10/11/19Reply
TravelerCaesar salad looks good. How were your chips? 🤔xx
10/11/19Reply
TravelerOh yummy, have them every night xx
10/11/19Reply
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Day 5
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 9:03 PM
🌙 -5 °C
Altitude: 429 m
Russia Stantsiya Irkutsk-Passazhirskiy 52.28223, 104.2595852°16’56” N 104°15’34” E
Irkutsk, 2552 miles to Vladivostok
October 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 -5 °C
Catching up some time, made about half an hour so far. We've a 35 min stop here then hopefully we will be able to see Lake Baikal, in the dark, at around midnight! Lots of waterways here, came over a couple of bridges before the station. Been joined by 2 gentlemen, lots of people getting on here, and it's cold too! The ferris wheel across from the station, lots of pretty colours.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 8:51 AM
☀️ -12 °C
Altitude: 810 m
Russia Stantsiya Petrovskiy Zavod 51.29104, 108.8581251°17’28” N 108°51’29” E
Petrovskiy Zavod
October 12, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ -12 °C
Made up time and lost another hour! Now 6 hours behind Moscow and 8 behind England. Same time as George and Victoria now, no more, phew! Came through some interesting scenery.
TravelerWhat a lovely building. Do you know what it is or who the heads are of. Beautiful skies again. Have you been in touch with George? Are they excited you're on your way? Xx
10/12/19Reply
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Day 6
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11:50 AM
☀️ -3 °C
Altitude: 802 m
Russia Stantsiya Khilok 51.36229, 110.4550651°21’44” N 110°27’18” E
Khilok, 2086 miles to Vladivostok
October 12, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ -3 °C
Been following the Khilok river valley since the last stop. The river is frozen most of the way, with just the middle flowing. The station is very busy, with lots of goods trains. We are around 20 miles from the Chinese border here, and follow the border now down to Vladivostok. It's too cold to stay out for long, and there are no shops on the platform, which are extremely narrow. We are here for 20 mins.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 5:03 PM
☀️ 0 °C
Altitude: 648 m
Russia Chita 52.02376, 113.4956252°1’26” N 113°29’44” E
Chita 2, 1922 miles to go
October 12, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Its zero degrees here, a big modern city with 2 train stations, imaginatively called 1 and 2 😁. Not able to cross over to the shop, so no cup a soups. Never mind, we'll head over to the restaurant car for tea later.Read more
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