Jul 2019 – Mar 2020

Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

Post Cancer "Fuck it" World Trip ticking off major ticket items - Trans Mongolian Railway, Russia, Bhutan, Italy etc
Moscow, Mongolia, Manchester and everywhere in between Read more

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Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
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Day 60
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 3:45 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Russia Palace Square 59.937683, 30.318959°56’16” N 30°19’8” E
The General Staff Building- building
August 30, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
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Day 60
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 3:46 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Russia Palace Square 59.93972, 30.31773759°56’23” N 30°19’4” E
The General Staff Building - General
August 30, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
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Day 60
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 3:59 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Russia Palace Square 59.937752, 30.31758359°56’16” N 30°19’3” E
The General Staff Building Faberge
August 30, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
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Day 60
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 9:26 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Russia Saint Petersburg 59.931637, 30.32162159°55’54” N 30°19’18” E
Last night in St P-Hermitage Pt 2
August 30, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
We had a quick rest for an hour and then back out to the Hermitage for our second visit - this time to find the Siberian Antiquities and other exhibits we missed on Weds night.
The exhibition was mind blowing and different than either of us have ever seen- the remnants of Siberian burial chambers found in the 1950’s. Sadly they had been looted but still contained mummified horses, carpets, a chariot and many other treasures. Amazing exhibit but shame we had to walk 5kms through the palace to find it in the furthest basement corner. Luckily because of this we had the place to ourselves!!
After this we went to the Winter Palace of Peter the Great. More treasures but luckily not too many so home by 9pmRead more
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Day 60
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 9:40 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Russia Saint Petersburg 59.931667, 30.32159259°55’54” N 30°19’18” E
Winter Palace of Peter the Great
August 30, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Last post from today I promise- it’s K making me do them all- just to show off the photos!!
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Day 61
Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 10:34 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 152 m
Russia Dorogomilovo 55.745916, 37.5876455°44’45” N 37°35’16” E
3
St P to Moscow + an unexpected festival
August 31, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Sergei our dodgy taxi driver picked us up early and deposited us at the train station for our fast train to Moscow- not before trying to pull a fast one of “no change”.
Kate sorted that out by leaving me whilst heading off buying a coffee making sure Sergei got the correct amount and not a Ruble more.
3 people and google translate later we found out we were in carriage 9.
The Sapsan fast train to Moscow was incredible- punctual to the minute, clean, organised, room for luggage and u could even order meals from ur seat that would be delivered to u!!..... luckily we had left over curry!!
We were greeted on the platform by our taxi driver who showed us to our exec car.... and played Whitney Houston on the way to the hotel- slightly better than Sergei’s techno!!
Checked in and then headed out for an explore.
Walking along the river we came across a festival of performers, dancers, artists and 100’s of Russians enjoying the free show.
Think we r going to enjoy Moscow.Read more
Traveler Yes - that is the entrance to Gorky Park .... Song by the Scorpions I follow the Moskva Down to Gorky Park Listening to the wind of change An August summer night Soldiers passing by Listening to the wind of change The world is closing in Did you ever think That we could be so close, like brothers The future's in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change Take me to the magic of the moment On a glory night Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away) In the wind of change Walking down the street Distant memories Are buried in the past forever I follow the Moskva Down to Gorky Park Listening to the wind of change Take me to the magic of the moment On a glory night Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams (share their dreams) With you and me Take me to the magic of the moment On a glory night (the glory night) Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away) In the wind of change (the wind of change) The wind of change Blows straight into the face of time Like a stormwind that will ring the freedom bell For peace of mind Let your balalaika sing What my guitar wants to say Take me to the magic of the moment On a glory night Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams (share their dreams) With you and me (with you and me) Take me to the magic of the moment On a glory night Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away) In the wind of change (in the wind of change)
8/31/19Reply
Traveler Weirdo is here singing the song!!
8/31/19Reply
Traveler And doing the whistling bit - I bet you all do the same!
8/31/19Reply
TravelerWhat a find seeing this festival!
9/1/19Reply
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Day 61
Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 10:48 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 142 m
Russia Dorogomilovo 55.74614, 37.58905455°44’46” N 37°35’21” E
Riverside festival
August 31, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Sorry was only going to do 1 post tonight but K’s photos too cool- if I do say so myself!!
We have just had a laugh whilst posting the video of the 2 kids dancing.
As we were walking home I laughed about a woman in a red dress who was on an electric scooter with a small child running behind her. Whilst posting the video who scooted through at the end? - the woman in the red dress.... and then the running child appeared..... there was about 45 mins between the 2 events!!! That is going to be one fit bit tired child!!Read more
TravelerGreat photos!😊
8/31/19Reply
TravelerThanks Nic they are just on K’s old iPhone 6. She is using her camera too so we will need a year off to sort all photos when we get back!!
8/31/19Reply
TravelerThe light in the pics is fantastic. 👌
9/1/19Reply
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Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
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Day 62
Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 8:37 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 146 m
Russia Dorogomilovo 55.746201, 37.58867355°44’46” N 37°35’19” E
Pushkin Gallery-the Schukin collection
September 1, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We started the day with a v nice buffet breakfast sitting outside on the hotel terrace.
Then off to explore Arbat Street which we found was on our doorstep if we turned right not left. This is an historical street dating back to the 15th century.
Queued up for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts at 10.30am for an 11am opening.
Finally got in at 11.30am and spent 2 hours slightly fighting the crowds to view Sergei Schukin’s collection of masters. OMG this man had collections of Gaugin, Matisse, Renoirs in each room of his house and then became obsessed with Picasso so bought more than 50 of them!! All of these are now displayed at the Pushkin and the Hermitage.
We went for a quick coffee before heading next door to the European and American Art gallery. This was full of modern art and sculpture and not what we expected but still interesting.
By now it was 3pm as we walked to Gorky Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_ShchukinRead more
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Day 62
Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 8:48 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 144 m
Russia Dorogomilovo 55.746265, 37.58866555°44’47” N 37°35’19” E
2 1
Gorky Park and Arbat Street
September 1, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Walked along the river to the expansive Gorky Park where half of Moscow appeared to be enjoying their leisure time in the sun.
There were fountains, paddleboats, swans, bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, dancers, sword fighters and much much more.
We then came across Russian Ninja Warrior!!! The full assault course!! It was too funny watching v v fit Russians and an amazing Australian girl conquer the course and many who did not!
Had a lovely couple of hours taking it all in before walking back towards our hotel and having the most delicious steak dinner on the way .Read more
Yum
9/2/19Reply
Traveler From Beccie amazing love it.❤
9/2/19Reply
Traveler Great isn’t she Beccie. Can’t wait to see all your photos soon!!! Ballet tonight so a bit excited about that.
9/3/19Reply
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Day 63
Monday, September 2, 2019 at 9:21 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 158 m
Russia Alexander's garden 55.749611, 37.61347255°44’59” N 37°36’48” E
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Kremlin Armoury and Exquisite jewels
September 2, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
After brekkie on the terrace we walked 30 mins to The Kremlin where we promptly bought tickets to The Armoury and more importantly tickets to the Diamond Fund.
We deposited our bags, cameras and phones in the cloakroom as none allowed, went through security and then worriedly queued as we thought we had missed our 10am time slot.
In we went- handed over a drivers licence for 2 audio guides, another security check... and we were in!!! One of the 3 largest, most expensive jewel collections in the World alongside the Crown Jewels, UK and some collection in Iran.
Words cannot express the sparkling beauty that unfolded- holy shit it was all breathtaking!! K’s hidden love of sparkly diamonds suddenly reared its head ( as it unexpectedly appeared during ring shopping!!).
We spent an hour admiring the most amazing gold nuggets and gems more than 100 carats in size... sadly the shop on the way out just had bags!!
http://www.gokhran.ru/en/diamond-fund/

We then had an hours break before our 1pm slot into the Armoury to view 10 more Faberge eggs!!!.... and other Russian treasures of amazing jewels, gold, embroidery and carriages. Sadly no cameras were allowed so we can’t bore u although loads of people were breaking the rules... so K tried a sneaky pic of the Faberge cabinet.... outcome below!!
https://kremlintour.com/faberge
https://kremlintour.com/moscow-sights/kremlin-a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kremlin_ArmouryRead more
Traveler Found these in the supermarket!! A blast from uni days!!
9/2/19Reply
Traveler Cracking export... Wairau Marl Sav Blanc in a Russian supermarket!!!
9/2/19Reply
Traveler I thought she said get a photo of the legs .... not eggs ....
9/2/19Reply
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Day 64
Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:10 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 149 m
Russia Luzhniki 55.726475, 37.57960155°43’35” N 37°34’47” E
Chinese Embassy & the weirdest wax body
September 3, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Had a cracking but slightly eclectic day!
Started it with an early breakfast of Brussel sprouts before heading off on the Metro to the Chinese Embassy in the middle of the suburbs to try our luck at getting a tourist visa.
3.5 hours later the process involved the following; a queue outside in a cattle pen like fenced area, being made to put on shoe covers, security, taking a ticket, being asked for a ticket of which we managed to show 3 wrong ones before the right one, being told we needed to photocopy our arrival document ( the one thing we didn’t have 5 copies of!)
We got sent ‘outside’..... and a v entrepreneurial man who had a photocopier set up in the back of a van and charged $1 per page.... genius!!!
Back in and left our passports and docs and back we go tmrw to hopefully pick them up who knows?!.
The bonus was we got back to the hotel 6 mins before breakfast ended so we had another quick round of breakfast!!
The off to Red Square and Lenin’s Mausoleum.
What a weird experience that was??!! More security before being led down into a dark, cool chamber where a wax body of Lenin was illuminated all laid out in state. We assumed the real Lenin was underneath but 8 security guards for a wax dummy seemed a bit excessive.
Next a quick view of the beautiful St Basil’s Cathedral.
Holy shit Kate has just read it was Lenin’s real body!! We don’t believe it but obv millions of Russians do.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenin's_MausoleumRead more
TravelerHad the same experience many years ago. Lenin’s tomb is a bizarre experience.
9/4/19Reply
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Day 64
Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:34 PM
🌙 20 °C
Altitude: 145 m
Russia Luzhniki 55.726341, 37.57994855°43’35” N 37°34’48” E
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GUM the poshest historic shopping mall
September 3, 2019 in Russia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Yep the day just kept on getting weird.
Next it was off to the huge historic building that now houses a shopping mall just next to Red Square. Wow the Russians must have some money... Prada, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari, Hermes, Fendi and many many other designer shops of which the security guard cringed as we walked past the door, obv worried we might want to go in!!
The mall had a great display of archery memorabilia, including a photo of NZ owned Neroli Fairhall!!
It also had a fountain full of watermelons and honeydews!!
http://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/neroli-fairh…Read more
Traveler Kate would look a treat in that! 😝
9/3/19Reply
Traveler She always wears her socks and shoes like that anyway!!
9/3/19Reply
Traveler 😂🤣❤️👍
9/3/19Reply
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Day 64
Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:51 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 142 m
Russia Luzhniki 55.72607, 37.57999455°43’34” N 37°34’48” E
Moscow Metro self tour with Kate Saxton
September 3, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
https://www.rbth.com/arts/328682-moscow-metro-m…

After the shopping experience Kate worked out which were some of the more beautiful metro stations to visit and off we went.
They were all so different and so exquisite..... there was even a photo point in red paint on the floor to take the best photos from.
Back home for a quick rest and then off out to the Moscow ballet- Swan Lake.
Sadly not the Bolshoi as they r on their summer break.... in Brisbane!!!Read more
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Day 64
Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 11:59 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 177 m
Russia Troitse-Golenishchevo 55.711974, 37.51890155°42’43” N 37°31’8” E
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Swan Lake
September 3, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Lovely night out at the ballet
Traveler Handy you were able to see it via the person’s screen in front of you too.
9/6/19Reply
Traveler It was v handy just in case we couldn’t see that side of the stage!! It was a miracle she was filming the ballet as she had been watching YouTube vids for the whole of the first half!!
9/7/19Reply
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Day 65
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 6:16 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 139 m
Russia Moscow 55.750916, 37.59563455°45’3” N 37°35’44” E
2 1
Rockets and a visa!!!
September 4, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
This am after a nervous trip back to the Chinese embassy we left 1.5 hours later with a Chinese tourist visa each!! What a relief??!!! That’s the last major visa hurdle....hopefully.
Next it was off to the Metro tour part 2 before ending up at the highlight of the day..... the Moscow Cosmonautical Museum.... basically the Russian Space Mission Museum!!!
OMG what a find?!! It was amazing!!! They had the history from the first little satellite through to the missions to the massive international space stations which last for many months.
What was funny is that the early satellites and landings looked like a 7yr old’s school project with tin foil and bin lids or something from a v low budget 60’s film. However they had much evidence to their actual success which they have continued to build on.
They did learn they had to teach the astronauts how to survive in extreme environments after they crash landed 150kms from the landing spot and it took them 2 days to be rescued as they were in the middle of the Siberian forest!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Museum_o…
K then misread the map as we walked through the Trade Park and we ended up having to walk an extra 1-2kms to the metro home.
Now enjoying a beer in a rooftop bar on our last night in Moscow.
Tomorrow it’s boarding the Trans Siberian train for day/night 1!!!Read more
Traveler ❤️
9/4/19Reply
Traveler Hotel loo?
9/6/19Reply
Traveler That toilet at the space station is bigger than ours!!
9/7/19Reply
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Day 65
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 6:30 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Russia Moscow 55.750961, 37.59576455°45’3” N 37°35’45” E
The Man in the Van and more Metros
September 4, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
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Day 65
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 6:36 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Russia Moscow 55.750942, 37.59573755°45’3” N 37°35’45” E
1
VDNKh Trade Park
September 4, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDNKh_(Russia)
Traveler Wow - great detour
9/4/19Reply
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Day 65
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 6:42 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Russia Moscow 55.750977, 37.59577255°45’4” N 37°35’45” E
Some more spacey photos
September 4, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
The first photo is the actual landing capsule that came down during one mission!!
This exhibition was soo cool. Sadly most photos were on the cameras (I can hear the sighs of relief) - the museum looked like a film set or boys playing with toys.... there were when stuffed dogs that had been sent into space and returned... sadly one was sent and wasn’t expected to return so he wasn’t there!!Read more
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Day 66
Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 5:17 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 140 m
Russia Bykovo 55.646973, 38.10128855°38’49” N 38°6’5” E
Moscow to Trans Siberian Boarding
September 5, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Moscow to Yekaterinburg - 26 hours
Checked out of our hotel and spent 3 hours printing and sending back our Australian Tax returns (yawn.... u should be exempt from such mundane chores whilst travelling!).
A taxi to Kazanskiy train station took us past our fave building depositing us the recommended hour early.
This just added to the stress of not being in the right place and trying to google translate the train board - unsuccessfully!
However all was fine and we boarded our train ready for the 16.38 departure, settled into our fab little cabin and have been blessed with an absence of cabin buddies so far at least.
The “Provonista” came around and took ur dinner order within 10 mins and in we settled!!
Boring updates to follow...Read more
TravelerYour updates are anything but boring! Loving the journey and the updates and the pics. Such a great record. Hx
9/6/19Reply
TravelerTrain looks pretty comfortable?
9/8/19Reply
TravelerYeah it really was. Will be interesting to see how tonight’s train differs x
9/8/19Reply
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Day 66
Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 8:00 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 132 m
Russia Stepanovo 55.500394, 40.80219855°30’1” N 40°48’8” E
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Trans Siberian night 1
September 5, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Moscow to Yekaterinburg
Well we got on and settled.
Was brought a strong black coffee an hour later by our attendant. We cracked open the milk we brought with us after our research taught us they didn’t have milk.... well nor did we we soon found out. We had bought Kefir..... a fermented milk that causes possible bloating, wind and constipation..... just what we need- NOT!
Despite the attendant taking our orders for dinner it never arrived and even though we used google translate to ask if we had to go to dining car we were told to stay in our cubicle.... however our food never materialised! ? Mis communication??
Anyway we cracked open the bread, cheese and salami so we don’t starve.
K is too excited and has made her bed already at 8pm.... I’m waiting for our dinner to be served!!
First stop just happened and still no cabin mates so hoping it stays this way during the 3 overnight stops.Read more
Traveler Was that dinner?
9/5/19Reply
Traveler Nath that was a snack box that came with coffee!
9/6/19Reply
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Day 67
Friday, September 6, 2019 at 8:26 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 248 m
Russia Ostrov Ploskiy 56.87439, 60.49016256°52’28” N 60°29’25” E
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2
Trans Siberian Train to Yekaterinburg
September 6, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We enjoyed our first night/ day on our first Trans Siberian Train (TST).
It was pretty restless as we had a cabinmate join us at 03.00am but she was v considerate, stowed her stuff as then climbed into her top bunk.
I’ve had a terrible migraine so I’ve basically spent all night and all day sleeping, not seeing much whilst K has managed to start and finish a book.
The mystery of last nights missing dinner was solved promptly at 12pm when it turned up today. We realised the attendant must have been asking us what date not what time.... 5.09 or 6.09!!! We thought it was Russian efficiency to the minute!
We arrived and the guy from our apartment kindly came and met us and walked us the 3 mins to our accommodation which was lucky as would never have found it!!
We now have 2 nights in Yekaterinburg to explore.Read more
Traveler The missing meal!!
9/6/19Reply
Traveler This is our third attempt at milk.... hoping it’s not breast milk!!!
9/6/19Reply
Traveler Yep. It still missing something 😲what did it taste like?
9/6/19Reply
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Day 68
Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 4:54 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 259 m
Russia Yekaterinburg-Passazhirskiy 56.856423, 60.60409756°51’23” N 60°36’15” E
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Yekaterinburg- accommodation and town
September 7, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
What a day??!!! We left our accommodation which actually looked more dodgy today than last night!
We walked 20 mins to town which improved immensely the further away from the apartment we got.
First stop The Church upon the Blood and the Romanov death site where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
We then found a great coffee shop and a mall where K treated herself to a new waterproof jacket after discovering in the Faroes the current one didn’t work.
Next random event happened when we stumbled across a Ural Festival in a Park... more to come on this including videos!
Off to the info centre where a v helpful girl gave us a free city map and a book before we made our way to the highlight of the day.... a visit to the Gem and Lapidary Museum.... also accompanied with video !!Read more
Traveler Our apartment from outside
9/7/19Reply
Traveler Our apartment hallway
9/7/19Reply
Traveler My Russian pose... all the Russian females pose in this way!!
9/7/19Reply
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Day 68
Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 5:08 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 260 m
Russia Yekaterinburg-Passazhirskiy 56.856598, 60.60396256°51’24” N 60°36’14” E
1 1
Rock Festival 1 - The Ural festival
September 7, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Following some v loud music we were enthusiastically approached by 2 lovely people inviting us to join the festival celebrating the region of the Urals.
There was music, lectures ( Sadly in Russian), souvenir stalls, traditional Ural food and other random activities.
We just had to marvel and the enthusiasm of the pretty thin crowd cheering on the singer- we couldn’t help but clap along and smile

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural_(region)Read more
Traveler Our train tomorrow- might be a bit draughty!
9/7/19Reply
Traveler This may just solve the lack of wheelchairs in hospitals- just bung a cushion in and u have a low cost mobility aid- genius!
9/7/19Reply
TravelerSome funnies there!!!😄
9/8/19Reply
TravelerNic it was fabulous!!! I love the fact that all Russians just dance uninhibited ( and sober) in public- it’s brilliant!
9/8/19Reply
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Day 68
Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 5:22 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 260 m
Russia Yekaterinburg-Passazhirskiy 56.85675, 60.60396656°51’24” N 60°36’14” E
Unexpected highlight - "rock" festival 2
September 7, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Off to the Museum of history of stone cutting and jeweller art- it turned out to be the best $10 we have spent for days.
The guy on the ticket counter was so smiley and enthusiastic he was lovely. Upstairs a v scary, officious lady took our tickets and told us to go upstairs to the right- the only way despite loud music emanating from that direction.
We got waved in to a room where there were about 8 people sitting listening to a concert of live music - Norman Bates in his dead mother’s wedding dress killing the keyboard and a man with a tambourine with the most incredible skill of not managing to hit one note in time.
K and I were invited to sit- we couldn’t eye contact anyone let alone each other as both of us were trying so hard not to laugh.
We stayed for 2 v long songs and a reading before politely leaving to view the exhibition we had come to see. Instead we got barked at by the pitbull woman in charge downstairs.... still trying not to laugh in disbelief.
The malachite was the most beautiful exhibition but the rear left a lot to be desired.... not the experience we expected but the random highlight of the day by far!!Read more
TravelerThat’s too funny! Only you two could be there for that!
9/8/19Reply
TravelerI think we met the tambourine man’s aunt at Rewind... 😂
9/8/19Reply
TravelerU probably did... I think that talent can only be genetic!! OMG it was too funny!! 😂😂
9/8/19Reply
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Day 69
Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 7:21 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 259 m
Russia Yekaterinburg-Passazhirskiy 56.856518, 60.60412656°51’23” N 60°36’15” E
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Geological and the Fine Arts Museums
September 8, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We started the morning browsing the fur shops that line the road opp the apartment. One of my fave coats was worth a cool $68,000 aud !!! Needless to say they stayed in the shops!
A great couple of hours was then spent at the Ural Geological Museum. It contained 3 floors of collections of rare geological exhibitions from the unique Ural regions. It also included fossilised hairy rhinoceros skulls and huge wooly mammoth tusks. The shop had the most beautiful specimens of malachite, jasper, and quartz to buy but they all weighed about 20kgs and K just wouldn’t carry them.... all because she has a new rain coat.
After lunch ( it was actually 3.30pm!) in The Secret Garden cafe it was off to the Museum of Fine Arts.
This contained more contemporary art and was a refreshing change. It also house a small collection of decorative steel swords from the region which were exquisite but after the Hermitage and the Kremlin Armoury everything seems so small!!
Tonight it’s off to the train for TST night 2....Read more
Traveler Is that you Nath in the background?
9/8/19Reply
Traveler Ha ha ha, I think I now know my heritage... 😂🤣. P. S. Your getting that pose down pat.
9/9/19Reply
Traveler What a gem.
9/10/19Reply
Traveler Ha!
9/10/19Reply
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