I can't say we did a lot or did everything that we had hoped to do, but for two people who live next to the equator just seeing snow was enough to make the trip worthwhile, and for it to be snowing while we were in Red Square was priceless.
Here is a brief photo tour. Enjoy.
Here are some pics on our way to Moscow.
Nuch hard at work making me G & Ts
Just off the plane.
On our first day in Moscow, we took it easy and explored around our hotel.
Our first night, we were a bit jet-lagged so came home early to rest and have dinner in our room. You'll never guess what I saw on TV.
On Friday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and the harpist played Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago.
In almost every guidebook on Moscow, the subway system is listed as a must see attraction. Apparently, each of the 100++ stations was designed by a different artist/ architect each with its own theme.
Here I am waiting for the train with Krit, one of the steward's on Nuch's flight that joined us on our day tour.
The artwork was nice, but I was most impressed by the long escalators. This particular station is 800 meters below ground. Our tour guide said it was the deepest in the world.
Powered by heat from the earth's magma.
Usually teaming with people, this particular station was silent.
Looking through some guidebooks, I was amazed at how many museums were in Moscow. Some were extremely exotic like the museum of antique furniture and the museum of extinct tropical fish. We didn't visit a single one, but we did do a lot of shopping.
Here we are on the walking street. I didn't buy anything. It was snowing and that was enough for me.
The first Starbucks in Moscow had just opened a few months ago firmly establishing Russia as a world power.
90% of all the souvenirs you can buy are either fur hats, Matushka dolls (those wooden doll inside a doll things), or Vodka. These red plates (along with communist paraphernalia) make up the other 10%
Red Square in the snow was truly the highlight of our trip. My only regret is not making a snow angel.
Here is the Historical Museum on one end...
and St. Basil's on the other. I'm still not sure whether or not it's pronounced like the Thai herb, basil.
Here's Lenin's tomb, also in Red Square.
This is mile 0, the center of Moscow. Apparently, if you throw some change over your head, you're bound to return one day. Not sure if that's true or not. In fact, I think it's a myth created by the old lady with the beige coat in in the background, who was running around picking up every body's change.
This is the eternal flame which is outside of Red Square just next to the wall of the Kremlin. Our tour guide said this was built in remembrance of the 18 million Russian soldiers and civilians that died during WWII.
Here are some extra pics.
This is a victory arch that was given by the French after WWII
This is the Cathedral of Christ our Savior. Unfortunately, we were not able to take pictures inside, but it has an interesting history. Although it is a sacred landmark for all Muscovites, Stalin had it torn down to construct a Palace of Soviets with a statue of Lenin, but because it was so close to the river the foundation kept flooding and the plans were finally scrapped. With the end of Soviet rule in the early 1990's, the church was rebuilt.
We took this picture in front of a little wooden church that was apparently built to replace the Cathedral after it was torn down.
This is a statue of Tsar Alexander I who had the Cathedral built in the first place to honor Russia for beating Napoleon's army in 1812.
More shopping. At this particular place they mostly had hats
and some fine artwork, as well. Most of the pictures were of the sun in springtime, which makes sense, I guess.
These guys were from one of the 'Stans and they brought the secret to amazing Bar B Q with them - make sure the pork is well-done and drink lots of beer!
Time to go home.
Once again, just some quick filler to start the week.
No comments:
Post a Comment