Rosatomflot ... home of the Russian nuclear vessels — Kola Bay ... Murmansk, Russia.

Two of the older nuclear icebreakers ... I recognize Yamal from its painted bow — Kola Bay, Murmansk

Alyosha (on the hill) greets us from afar — Kola Bay ... Murmansk, Russia.

Kapitan Dranitsyn, a Soviet-era icebreaker and the shipyard — Kola Bay, Murmansk.

Typical skyline of Murmansk with Soviet-era buildings — Kola Bay, Murmansk, Russia.

Murmansk skyline as we sail to the sea terminal — Kola Bay ... Murmansk, Russia.

Church of the Savior on Waters ... in stark contrast to the other buildings ... Kola Bay, Murmansk.

The Lenin ... the first nuclear ice breaker built by the Soviets — Kola Bay ... Murmansk, Russia.

Nautica approaches the sea terminal — Kola Bay ... Murmansk, Russia.

Cruising Kola Bay to Murmansk (Russia)

July 13, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌧 43 °F

The last time we were in Murmansk was in July 2014 to embark 50 Let Pobedy, a Russian nuclear icebreaker for our voyage to the North Pole. (The story of that amazing expedition is at this link:http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2014/06/our-goal-….)

On that occasion, we flew in from Helsinki, Finland on a bright, blue-sky day and was given a sightseeing tour on our way to Rosatomflot, where Russia’s nuclear-powered vessels are based. By the time we were ready to sail up Kola Bay to reach the Barents Sea, the sky was overcast ... and we were shrouded in fog before we reached the mouth of the long bay.

Today, we sailed down Kola Bay to Murmansk under a thick overcast with occasional drizzle that pretty much was the weather-of-the-day. Not as welcoming without the sunshine and blue skies.Read more