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Russia FIFA World Cup.
  • Dennis Dal Santo
  • Dennis Dal Santo

Russia FIFA World Cup.

Titled 'The Life is fleeting, death is long tour', two baby bombers who met in kindergarten set off in pursuit of (watching) sporting expertise. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 11, 2018
    Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Afternoon in St Petersburg

    June 11, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Walked Nevsky Prospect to find The Church of thr Saviour on Spilt Blood .
    Then into the Kazan Cathedral.
    Tomorrow being Russia's national day, celebrations in preparation were taking place in Nevsky Prospect and the football World Cup is everywhere.
    Then a 2 hour cruise down the Neva to the Gulf of Finland.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Nevski Prospect to the Neva River

    June 11, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Confidently leaving our hotel ( The Atrium) , we headed east along Nevski prospect, St Petersburg's main thoroughfare to take the metro from Alexander Nevski (M) one stop to Vosstanya Ploshad. Confidently purchasing our metro tokens and descending deep into the Earth and successfully alighted at our predetermined stop.
    Again on Nevsky Prospect we turned left to walk to Fontanka Canal.
    Just checking we asked a local security guard to confirm our direction and luckily we did because he advised us to turn right. Walking on for at least twenty minutes we arrived (back) at Alexander Nevski (M).
    Our first hiccup of the day.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Hermitage to Peterhof

    June 12, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Coffee and pastry on Nevski Prospect heading to the Hermitage

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Hermitage to The Russian Vodka Museum

    June 12, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    A breakfast of green onion and egg sandwich and coffee at our favourite 'bulachnaya' gave us the energy required to stand in line for 90 minutes and flow with the crowd in the Hermitage for 2 hours.
    An amazing collection of art, history and Russian pride.
    Unlike 15 years ago the staff was friendly and helpful and inlike 15 years ago I was able to look out the window onto Dvortsovaya Pl.
    Lunch at the the Irish Pub ( it's ok I had borshe and pemini).
    Our plans of the fast ferry were thwarted, one by 4 hours of the Hermitage but two by discovery of the location if The Russian Vodka Museum.
    Three toasts to the Russian Federation 'Tzarussia' on the occasion of their independence from the Soviet Union ( well that's how he descibed it) and we were amply engaged in world politics with the waiter.
    We made a reservation for a Vodka tour tomorrow and dinner at one of St Petersburg's best.
    Back into the crowd and the football fever is hotting up.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Slumming it in Kazan

    June 15, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    A long day. 1am taxi for a 03:40 flight to Moscow and transit to Kazan to arrive at 8:30.
    A train to Kazan Central and taxi drivers who had no idea the hotel's location. Hotel Otrada was a dump so back to the Ramada and a bit more than we expected to pay.
    5 Russian military police at the hotel entrance.
    We soon discover why, the Australian Ambassador to Russia introduced himself to in the foyer.
    Looks like wa are in the safest place in town.
    A very comfortable and relaxed city the capital of Tartarsan now filling with Australians anf French.
    PS Did I mention that there was only one room left in the motel and yes you guessed it.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Australia vs France

    June 15, 2018 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    Early up 6am and the sun is already at 40'.
    A beautiful walk through a peaceful city.
    Then to meet the foe.
    But mostly thinking of you at home.
    After a quick chat with the Australian Ambassador to Russia we're off.
    Young volunteers in red and blue, greetings and high five, Slouch my little kangaroo had a wonderful time.
    Russian supporters there in force barracking for us and constantly asking 'do we like Russia' we say of course it is very beautiful and friendly.
    I spoke with many French supporters who were in awe of the enthusiasm we brought the game.
    After the game more Russians engage us for a talk or even a piva (beer).    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Samara on the mighty Volga

    June 19, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    An early morning walk along the embankment and an unexpected meeting of an ex- student and being invited by a class of young gym students for a photo.
    If a temporary misplacement of the travel documents didn't dampen a day nor did a temporary loss of Brownie.
    Accommodation is over priced so we change.
    At the old soviet    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Samara: City of Space Science

    June 21, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    After a refreshing swim in the mighty Volga a cool 18' but sunny, and among lots if Russian locals soaking in the long awaited sunshine we take the free bus the Samara Cosmos.
    The FIFA Fan Zone before it goes feral and inside the Volga Hotel built in the Soviet style of the seventies.Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Leaving Samara for Volgograd

    June 22, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Neale couldn't resist. When in Russia do what the Russians do. Line up for a litre of beer and enjoy the sunshine.
    Found some woderful little shops and bars (only to visit) concealed behind imposing timber structures with seamingly no doors, until someone emerged.
    Took a taxi to the baksval ( train station) but the driver took us to the bus station. Obviously my Russian was to blame.
    A very helpful lady realizing we could miss our train escorted us hurriedly across the car park and into the local bus who didn't want money and we took a nervous half an hour to get to the train station.
    We didn't have a plan B but thankfully didn't need one, boarded with 20 minutes to spare.
    The train. Well I think its the same old Soviet rattler Matt and I were on in 2002.
    The Russian travellers are friendly.
    But no English out here.
    A few Aussie boys on board cranking it up with the Russian boys and a lone English girl.
    I go sleep to rattle of the carriage and awake about 6am.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Volgograd

    June 23, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    The overnight train has been a highlight. 2nd class was a little tight but the two young Aussie guys we shared with were pretty considerate.
    My first sight of Volgograd is the 72m Mother Russia perched high above Mamev Kurgan, Hill 102 in the Battle of Stalingrad.
    Volgograd is so much like the other cities we have met. The locals are friendly, helpful and keen to engage us. When we say we are Australian their faces beam with delight and we are in for another photo.
    Our first encounter with the Tourist Police, armed, English speaking and ready to help.
    The Panoramic Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad is staggering. A complete tribute to the defenders their city
    A quick look at the Volgograd Fanzone and a $2.00 taxi back to the station.
    First class this time. Great expectations were shattered when we entered the dining cart and were yelled at by an old babushka who clearly didn't like customers, westerners or both. So we retreated to the sanctity of our compartment and relaunched an offensive 30 minutes later, only to be told there was only enough food for the children.
    ! previous trip to Russia 18 years ago taught me to hive as good as you get, so out came the 1st class ticket and the demand fir a menu. Surprisingly it arrived and 40 minutes later a modest meal at full price.
    A priceless experience, resulting in a good chat to a young Russian couple and a lone Aussie girl on her way to the next game.
    10:30 lights out.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Sochi

    June 24, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Frequent stops and occasionally we can hop off to buy something to eat.
    Catherine and Matt from Melbourne who we kept bumping into. Their daughter Sophia (4) still asleep.
    Me asleep, thanjs Brownie.
    The first class carriage was still a bit squeezy and the bed narrow but much preferred to the boredom and monotony of an airport.
    But overnight the landscape has changed from the vast Russian plains farmed and forested to lush mountains with wide and flowing rivers to the shores of the Black Sea.
    Its Sunday and the beaches are full.
    Our motel The Razin is small but clean, comfortable and a lazy fifteen minutes to the beaches past fruit stalls, park vendors and happy beach going families.
    My first ever swim iin the Black Sea and remembered it had to be salt.
    The city would have to be the Amalfi of Russia, pebbly beaches but great swimming and wonderful promenade, seafood restaurants and cafes, and shops of all sorts for all the girls.
    That is a confectionary shop and the confectionary is a cherry flavoured jelly filled with walnuts.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Sochi Day 2 or Game Day minus 1

    June 25, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    It's the hat.
    Is that an Australian hat one young Peruvian supporter asked me. Yes and its made of kangaroo hide. Wow!
    View from the cafe where I met Urgi and Katrine who recognised me from the overnight train and said hullo.
    Another young couple Mishe and Olga who we met on the beach and wanted to know if we liked Russia.
    My basic Russian and his basic English established who we were, where we lived, where we had been in Russia and how much we liked Sochi and Russia.
    Again the young people are keen to engage and ask our opinion of their country and very aware of western media opinion.
    The fish and the feet thing.
    Children's playground to the sound of 'Once I saw a fish alive' in English.
    And sunset    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Australia vs Peru

    June 27, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Its Slouch the kangAroo, everybody wants to be seen with her so naturally we oblige.
    Unfortunately she was declared a dangerous item and missed the game spending the day in the cloakroom. It was that or the bin and I couldn't allow such an ingracious ending, deciding that a random Russian child should be her new owner.
    In the meantime the game was loud 30 000 Peruvians with nothing to lose and unfortunately they didn't.
    Australia 0 Peru 2.
    But the aftermath was a lot of fun.
    My kangaroo flag went a volunteer, my broad brimmed hat swapped with a Peruvian, Slouch found her new home and one to show the friendly Russian police and another local interloper.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Sochi Sights

    June 27, 2018 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Gardens, harbour (some say Mr Putin's yacht is in harbour), cafes, restaurants, love birds, water slides, grand churches, pristine water, 27' in June, cheap fabulous food, what's not to like about Sochi.
    Tomorrow: our last stop, Moscow.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Sochi final day

    June 28, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Yoga in the park for one.
    Swim for one.
    Coffee for one.
    One of the Black Sea Fleet arriving and
    The best omelette and cappuccino for $A7.
    Today, onto Moscow for the final leg of the 'Life is fleeting, death is long' tour.
    5 nights in the capital. Farewell Sochi    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Eastern Siberia: The Road Less Travelled

    July 5, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The World Cup now left behind in western Russia.
    Irkutsk to the western shores of Lake Baikal.
    A five hour flight from Moscow and Lake Baikal appears and so does Matt.
    We leave the next morning for Lake Aya leaving the Russian steppe we enter the steppe of the indigenous buryats.
    Our guide Zina and driver Vladmir from Irkutsk to Ays Bay via several points of interest showing the interaction of Shamanism and Buddism within Buryat culture.
    The vast Russian steppe and Lake Baikal the deepest freshwater lake in the world holding 20% of the Earth's freshwater.
    And we have a swim, 16' I'd say.    Read more

  • Dennis Dal SantoRussia FIFA World Cup.Traveler

    Lake Baikal

    July 6, 2018 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Leaving Aya Bay by Russian Uaz, their soviet era 4WD whose design our guide Ksenya says was so perfect it has not changed since 1963. Likened by her to a loaf of bread with wheels it reminds us of a kombi van. The design of our 2012 uaz unchanged, was probably borrowed from East Germany we suppose.
    We spend most of the morning heading north in Malye More (Small Sea) the stretch of Lake Baikal between the western edge and Olkhon Island.
    We stop for lunch at the very scenic town of Khuzhir.
    We are currently on a 2 hour crossing of the lake to Holy Nose a former island now joined to eastern Lake Baikal by sandspit. Here we see 65% Orthodox Christians, 25% Shaman and the rest Buddhist. The boat is aluminum hulled and about 25' so its a bumpy ride on open water.
    We briefly stop to observe Cape Kohboy but the weather is poor, so poor our kind and captain are in constant communication with the shore for weather updates. The decision is made to proceed.
    Rather than 2 hours the journey by bumpy boat takes 4 hours.
    We arrive at Chivirkuy Bay then be driven another hour (thankfully this time in a Landcruiser) to arrive at our homestay but more a bnb at Ust-Barguzin
    Our host Natasha has a dinner of cabbage and potato soup, fush cakes and rice and sweets ready on the table for us.
    What's more she kindly heated up the bathhouse, the Russian way of combining a sauna and a self dowsing shower in one room. A great, cleansing experience.    Read more

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