Russia
Moscow

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    • Day 6

      Red Rob

      June 13, 2017 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      What a huge city Moscow is - so many grand buildings, columns, turrets and golden onion domes. I managed to get a Russian SIM card and the young girl in the mobile phone shop kindly put it in for me (so to speak!). I then braved the famous Moscow underground - much deeper than ours at home, but very grand stations. I had a lovely walk around the centre - did you spot Max at the Bolshoi? The weather was not so good today and when heavy rain came on I decided to try out one of Moscow's top recommendations- a Russian banya or bath house. The Sanduny banya is the oldest and most luxurious in the city (check their website www.sanduny.ru). What an experience - the rooms were so hot you had to wear a felt hat - and the ice cold plunge pools must have had water piped from Siberia. To finish off I went for the traditional beating with birch leaves. I was allowed to keep my hat and birch leaves as a souvenir!

      With the rain now off, I had a lovely walk round Red Square - such fabulous buildings. Did you spot Max at St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin? I call him Karl Max here. My walk continued along the Moscow River to the colossal statue of Peter the Great - breathtaking, finishing up at Gorky Park. Knackered and ready for bed!
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    • Day 128

      Moskau

      June 20, 2018 in Russia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

      Der Start in Moskau gelang uns nicht sehr gut, wir durften nicht auf den Camping Platz fahren, weil wir es vergessen hatten, uns in den ersten Tagen in Russland zu registrieren…
      Damit begann ein kleiner Marathon für uns, wir liefen von Hotel zu Hotel und von Poststelle zu Poststelle.
      Niemand wollte uns dieses Karte ausstellen…
      Am Ende landeten wir in einem überbuchten Hotel, man verwies uns auf ein anderes - Es erschien mehr als Notlösung für die WM - Das ganze Hotel war eine Baustelle.
      Auch das versprochene Dokument haben wir dort nicht bekommen & so ging es am nächsten Tag wieder zurück in das überbuchte Hotel…Nach langem hin und her hatten wir dann nach 24h ein vorläufiges Dokument mit dem wir auf den Camping Platz fahren durften.

      Dort angekommen, lernten wir Hubert (70) und seine Dackeldame Hexe kennen - die 2 sind tatsächlich von Deutschland in 30. Tagen nach Moskau mit einem 80 Jahre altem Traktor gefahren.

      Die Hauptstadt Russlands beeindruckte uns mit seinen Gebäuden, der U-Bahn der Sauberkeit und natürlich den vielen Fußball Fans.

      Samstag gingen wir natürlich zum Fan Fest, wo wir uns das Spiel unserer Jungs anschauten… Schade, aber wir ließen die Köpfe nicht allzu lange hängen, zurück in der Innenstadt ließen wir uns von der ausgelassenen mexikanischen Stimmung mitreisen und freuten uns mit.
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    • Day 18

      Queues.

      August 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

      A hoped for early start was just about on track - Liz battling through a rough head. Bizarre steady stream of people outside the hotel suggested something was happening - another protest possibly. Ideally the queue for Kremlin tickets would be relatively untouched on arrival. On getting off the metro it became apparent that Moscow was busy - sunny Sunday. Hopefully it was just the locals & that they were going to a protest rather than the Kremlin. Hopefully not a protest at the Kremlin. Wandered through Alexander Gardens to be greeted by a substantial queue for tickets. Checked on the automatic tellers & the queues seemed better. Go for it. The downside was that it was just entry - no tower tickets. By the time we would've got to the front of the other queue they would be sold out anyway - or that's what I told myself. Back of mind was the worry that my card would be inoperable (email warning from the morning) At least we had cash. Then the machine started chewing up money. Ahh! Worried over nothing - tickets sorted - now where to go. Followed signs to unsurprisingly another massive queue. Sulked & pondered giving up. The voice of reason (Liz) ensured not. Moved fairly quick & we were in to the Kremlin. Russian police love their whistles - there were specific places you could go & cross - any deviation, no matter how small, got a whistle. Made our way to Cathedral Square - 5 cathedrals surrounding a small square & queues to get in all 5. Explored the site & Kremlin gardens. Apart from the numerous Chinese tour parties elbowing their way around, it was a very peaceful place, which belied its history. Headed out the exit to find people entering - surely they'll be turned back. No - could've entered via the exit - makes complete sense.Read more

    • Day 18

      Strange black thing.

      August 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

      Once the Kremlin had been explored we headed upto the Sparrow Hills. Passed up the opportunity to eat - too crowded & expensive and surely there'd be options at the observation deck or even at the University. Gentle walk up to the 'summit' & great views out over the Luzhniki [national] Stadium, the business district & 5 of the 7 sisters - Stalin's skyscrapers built with Gulag labour. Very busy at the top & very limited food options - sweetcorn or ice cream. Wandered towards the Moscow University building (no. 6 of the 7) & it became apparent that all that was up here was a university - no additional services, food etc. Liz wasn't happy. Decided to try around the cable car, our means of descent. Found a cafe overlooking the river, allbeit a rather expensive one. Settled down & was promptly ignored. Plenty of people were being seated. Still we waited & a number of those people were now being waited on. Doesn't bode well for speedy service. Gave up. Found what looked like a sarnie shop but was in fact a kebab shop, with a queue... that wasn't moving. OK head down to the stadium, except the cable car had a massive queue. Getting beyond a joke. Walk down, across the bridge - nope it's a motorway. Google to the rescue - navigated through the park & stumbled on Mr Big - a food shack. Admittedly the menu was in Russian but Google translated enough or so we thought. Ordered BBQ chicken and minty lemonade. 6 minute wait & I was presented with wraps yes but black. Surely it wasn't burned. Turns out the wrap was black - didn't taste any different to me but Liz wasn't having it. 2 wraps for me. A little walk around the stadium & then back via the supermarket for something a little more traditional.Read more

    • Day 18

      Top secret.

      August 11, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

      Previously (on 24... No) during the downpour day, indoor options had been investigated, largely with little success. The 1 intriguing option happened to be just round the corner - a top secret bunker that had just a year ago been declassified & was now open to the public. Had to be booked in advance & the only English tour was at 7pm on Sunday - packing time. Liz wasn't remotely interested so flying solo on this one. Access was a little cloak & dagger as well. Through a barrier, press the buzzer until you are met. This will only be answered 10 mins before the tour & up until the tour - don't be late! As it was I followed a group in - easy. Met the guide & began the descent. Down 20m through a 10 tonne blast door, then a 1.5 hermetically sealed door. Along a 20m corridor so we were under the Kindergarten. Then down another 60m shaft - 2 more sealed doors & we were in. No messing around here. This was one of 20 bunkers under Moscow - most linked upto the Metro, which also had the capability to be sealed off. It stored the minister for foreign affairs' secret documents and was in use up until 2008. A lot of the systems were still operational - ventilation, air conditioning, communications, alarm ... but not the lift. And even here 80m below the surface of Moscow - still there's a Manc to be found. Bahh! Some of stuff was grim but fascinating - the way they tested the effects of differing levels of radiation on soldiers so they could predict the number of deaths (citizens out of service) in the wider population. At least we know what to do in the case of a nuclear warning - go online.Read more

    • Day 24

      Sergiev Possad nach Suzdal

      August 13, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      Ein wirklich sehr schöner Campingplatz sind wir hier angefahren und die Lage am Fluss ist richtig schön.
      Juhui.......es gibt Wsschmaschienen, gleich mal ausnützen.
      Bin als dritte von unserer Gruppe hier angekommen und es heisst, wir dürfen uns auf dem bisher leeren Platz nur auf einer bestimmten Seite hinstellen, denn es kommen noch g a n z viele Italiener , die bräuchten auch noch Platz.
      Ich habe mir aber noch ein schönes Plätzchen aus suchen können, schön unter ein paar Birken, wo ich Romeo gut an einen Baum festmachen kann.
      Nach der grossen Erkundungs- Gassi -Tour erstmal mit waschen beginnen.
      Abends um 19.00 Uhr ist Meeting wo wir die Infos für die nächsten 2 Tage bekommen. Dann bekommen wir alle einen grossen Becher Kwas, ein russisches , leicht gegärtes Getränk, und ein Stück Lebkuchen , der eine Füllung in der Mitte hatte, was ich nicht so genau zu ordnen könnte . Irgend was russischen hald, aber die Appenzeller Biberli schmecken mir besser!
      An dem Abend haben Dyma und Sascha und einiges über Russland erzählt, politische, geografische Dinge aber auch wie sie hier in diesem Land mit ihren Familien leben. Was die Menschen verdienen und das ist nicht viel , wieviel Rente sie ca. bekommen. Wie die Wohnsituationen , Schulen, Kindergärten ect. sind. Nicht die Besten Aussichten für das Volk ....... !?!
      Am nächsten Morgen Stadtrundfahrt duch dieses alte und sehr malerische Städtchen, das viele alte Häuser in ihrer früheren Bauweise erhalten hat . Es dürfen hier auch keine neue Häuser in einem anderen Baustiel oder höher als 2 Stockwerke hoch gebaut werden. Das Holzhaus soll auch zur Strassenseite hin, die Fensterumrahmungen mit geschnitzten Ornamenten verzieren und sich klar an die Bauvorschriften halten, sonst gibt es keine Baugenehmigung.

      In dem kleinen Städtchen leben gerade mal 8000 Personen , aber es stehen 30 Kirchen im ganzen Stadtbereich. Meist gleich 2 Kirchen neben einander, die Sommer - und die Winterkirche. In der Winterkirche wird geheizt und ist meist etwas kleiner.

      Danach sind wir zum Marktplatz gefahren und haben uns da etwas umgesehen und vor allem was gegessen, den ab 14.00 Uhr wollten wir uns alle wieder treffen und eine Honigwein Verköstigung gönnen.

      Ich wollte mich da auf alle Fälle etwas zurück halten, aber als wir in das bemalte Kellergewölbe geführt wurden, stand schon alles bereit. Grosse dunkle, derbe Holztische und Bänke und für jeden von uns ein Tablett mit 12 Tontassen gefüllt mit einer Flüssigkeit.
      Von links nach rechts wird alles , ein Tonbecher nach dem anderen, zu jedem gab es eine kleine Anekdote oder eine kleine Geschichte dazu und jeder hatte eine andere Geschmacksrichtung.
      Der erste ein ganz normaler Honigwein, dann kamen die gemischten, mit Zimt, Kardamon und Ingwer, mit Minze, mit Meerrettich, mit Bier, mit..... ich weiss nicht mehr alle, obwohl ich überall nur ein , zwei Schlücke nahm...... ich war fertig mit der Welt. Raus in die frische Luft..... aber mir ging es nicht mehr gut😣🥺

      Eigentlich wollte ich nur noch auf den Liegestuhl und mich erholen, aber nie netten Herren aus der Gruppe wollten die Zeit nutzen und nochmal nach meiner Heizung schauen. Auch bei meiner Toilettenkassette stimmte was nicht und musste repariert werden. So gab sich das eine mit dem anderen..... und mein Liegestuhl blieb unbenutzt stehen.

      Als die Toilette wieder funktionierte, die Heizung leider immer noch nicht, ging es mir immer schlechter.
      Wollte eigentlich noch eine Maschiene Wäsche machen, aber die Italiener, die mittlerweile mit fast 30 Wohnmobilen den ganzen Campingplatz zugeparkt hatten, belagerten regelrecht die zwei Maschinen. Also konnte ich das vergessen, ausser ich hätte mich direkt davor gesetzt .... dafür ging es mir aber zu mies.
      Ich sagte somit auch die Abendveranstaltung ab, Einladung vom Reiseveranstalter zum Russischen Abendessen mit Folkloregruppe.

      Ich wollte nur noch liegen und schlafen.
      Da wir am nächsten morgen früh losfahren wollen, es geht in die Innenstadt von Moskau ...... und je früher , umso eher schaffen wir es , die Zeit wo es am wenigsten Stau hat, zwischen 11.00 - 15.00 Uhr als Einfahrt zu nutzen.
      Um 21.00 Uhr lag ich im Bett und schlief mich gesund !
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    • Day 25

      Camping in Moskau

      August 14, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      Noch ein paar Fotos zu diesem Tag.
      Habe das Handy voll mit Fotos und Videos, kann aber nur 10 davon hoch laden.

      Dabei sind wir doch noch mit der Moskauer Metro gefahren.... und das ist schon eine Sache , die man in Moskau unbedingt machen und sehen sollte.
      Also ein bisschen tricksen😜

      Wenn wir morgen ins Gebiet von Tula fahren , wird es danach teilweise schwierig mit Netz..... lasse mich überraschen!
      Aber ich bin sehr froh endlich Natur erleben.... genug Kirchen ....gesehen!
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    • Day 6

      Must Go Moscow

      August 31, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      Following our earlier blog here’s a Moscow pictorial bonus as we prepare to leave in a few hours time. Still sunny and 24C here but apparently raining and 9C on arrival on Monday evening in Yekaterinburg.Read more

    • Day 7

      Moscow Station

      September 1, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

      So just to close on Moscow we had a great time there, but it is quite different from St Petersburg, mainly because as the Capital of the Country with a population of 15 million Moscow feels so much busier and ‘in your face’ than the latter.

      Moscow certainly has a lot of money around. The sheer volume of designer shops, top end cars, expensive restaurants etc gives an indication of the wealth that now exists here. It looks like the younger set are now really enjoying the benefits of the new open Russia, as we saw how busy bars and restaurants were on the weekend evenings in the beautifully lit streets around our hotel. The pavements, buildings and public areas are all spotlessly clean and well looked after. No wonder the President is so popular.

      So we checked out of the Budapest Hotel (a plaque by the entrance commemorates the fact that Lenin stayed there twice...) having left our luggage earlier in the day with the worlds most miserable hotel doorman, a ranking that he is unlikely to lose whilst he is in employment!

      On arrival at the Moscow Station concourse we awaited the call to board our first journey on an official Trans Mongolian train, 26 hours to Yekaterinburg.
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    • Day 19

      Moscow

      September 4, 2019 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

      Four days in Moscow and its surrounds has been barely enough to scrape the surface of this big and very definitely foreign city. But it was enough to see some fascinating sights and have a great time.

      The weather was fine and warm when we started our first full day with a trip out to VDNKh Park, an expansive playground for the citizens of Moscow to remind them of the wonders of the motherland. It was the last day before school went back and there were cadets - literally thousands of cadets - at some sort of function, with accompanying parents, siblings, teachers etc.

      The beautiful fountains, gardens and a pavilion dedicated to each of the former republics (including, superfluously, Finland) were quite nice, especially filled with Muscovite families enjoying a Sunday out. The cosmonaut pavilion, with some 1960’s space memorabilia outside (we didn’t go in) was interesting. It’s ironic really that the Americans now depend on Russian rockets to send a lot of their stuff up there!

      We looked in at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, made famous as the place where Pussy Riot were arrested, then visited a few of the quite beautiful Moscow Metro stations. The metro was an adventure in itself, but fortunately easy enough to work out.

      We then spent two days out of town, in Suzdal and Vladimir, two towns on Moscow’s “Golden Ring” and about 180 km away. Churches, monasteries, convents, more churches, a kremlin and in Suzdal’s case a picturesque river winding its way around all the above made for a great couple of days.

      Vladimir’s Cathedral of the Assumption, a riot of gold and portraits from top to bottom and the place where many of the Tsars were crowned, was fabulous, even with the usual sour attendants, souvenir sellers and beggars.

      Back in Moscow, we finished off our few days with a visit to The Kremlin and the Armoury Museum.

      Full of all sorts of things from wedding dresses to carriages to suits of armour, it was the gold and silver ornaments that were mind-boggling. From tea sets to jewel-encrusted gold bibles there were all sorts of things that a powerful ruler would expect to receive as a gift. The workmanship was astounding, the value of the collection incalculable.

      Then, having taken our snaps of St Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square, we took our leave of Moscow, the end of another stage of our trip.

      Tonight we hit the train to Kazan, as we begin to make our way across the country.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Moskva, Moskau, Moscow, Moscú, Moscou, Maskva, Moskou, Moskovu, Москва

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