Sendiri's Journey "Around the World in 70 Days"Mockba - Moskva - Moscow (Days 15 to 17) Day 15 - Baikal Express - Arrival in Moscow
Day 16 - Moskva
Day 17 - Moskva (Cold!)
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Day 15 - Friday 15 August
Arrival in MoscowThe Baikal Express pulled into Moscow's Yaroslavl Station around 3pm. It was a hectic time as we all alighted from the train - quite an an anti-climax to the trip as everyone just disappeared into a throng of people. Bobby and I were a bit slow getting off the train and then I misplaced my wallet and had to rush back to the carriage to look for it. I actually had it all the time but it was a bit stressful - again! The train was surprisingly long and our carriage was near the rear. there were thousands of people at the station - peak hour at 4pm on a Friday afternoon. All of this led to us losing the other Australians. Bobby and I caught a taxi to the hotel and the ride through Moscow was fascinating.
The Hotel Moskva is situated only about 100m from Red Square. After checking in and a quick shower, I went straight out and made my way to the Square. Walking around there was both exhilarating and emotional. I felt like I was fulfilling a life-time dream. A little later I wrote in my journal: "I was really happy and excited. Moscow has style! The buildings, the people. Nothing like I had expected. Red Square was magnificent - St Basils to the south, the Kremlin to the east and GUM (Department Store) to the west."
Upon returning to the hotel, I was elected "scout" to find somewhere to eat. I walked for quite a while but couldn't find anywhere suitable. I resorted to the Lonely Planet book and chose a restaurant close to the Bolshoy Theatre (which was magnificent). That restaurant wasn't too hot either so we walked a bit further and found the "Restaran Iberia". What a magnificent atmosphere - old world, nicely fitted with violin and piano playing. We thought the food was quite good but very expensive. I paid my share of a 2M Rubel bill!!!
Day 16 - Saturday 16 August
Moskva
After a pretty nice breakfast I took off alone and walked south across the Moscow River - passing a beautifully sunlit St Basil's Cathedral. Down that way somewhere was Gorkey Park - about the only thing I knew about Moscow!!! Crossing the bridge I took some photos of the Kremlin and the scenery around the river. The streets were so clean. I saw a Russian street cleaner sweeping up cigarette butts.
I walked east along the south side of the river taking in the beautifully restored buildings and the Kremlin on the opposite bank.
It wasn't long before I came across "Lavrushinsky Per", a paved, tree lined street with old lamp stands. It was beautifully maintained and the old buildings were magnificent. I photographed a green topped church through the trees to the left. The street was virtually empty at 10am on this Saturday morning.
I stopped to photograph this beautiful old building. Just as I was about to continue, a couple of people walked in off the street so I decided to follow and investigate. I had no idea what the place was because all the signs were in Russian.
I walked down some stairs into a magnificent foyer. There were a few small shops selling books, postcards and prints of art work. The place looked very "arty". The only sign I could read said "Museum Shop" so I thought it must have been a museum. It was still early and it had started to rain outside so I walked over to a ticket counter and handed over 45,000 Rubels, about $9 (that would be 45 Rubels now).
Well! My mind was blown away. Turns out that this was the Tretyakov Gallery - just one of the finest art galleries in Russia and the world. I have never enjoyed a gallery so much. Take a look at a Tretyakov Gallery web page. Don't forget to come back!!
I had lunch at the gallery and then continued on my walk south. I passed some more magnificent buildings and churches.
Take a look at these photographs: Church | Apartment | Orange Church
I walked quite a way, ducking for cover during rain showers. I browsed in some shops in UL. Bolshaya Yakimanka, viewing some great Russian art, craft and jewellery. Continuing along Leninskiy Prospekt in heavy rain, a big, crowded business centre provided temporary shelter. When it stopped raining I followed fair-ground music to find Gorky Park. What a disappointment! It was nothing more than a commercialised fun park. 10 minutes was more than enough time there.
I was exhausted! Even so, walking back to the hotel along the Moskva River, and through the gardens of the State Art Gallery was a very pleasant. I saw a wedding party (all were young and quite drunk) pull up in some limo's and the bride and bride's maids ducked into a partially renovated building for a pee - still clutching their champagne glasses. The boys ran across the street to another building. Walking into Red Square once more, there were brides and bridal parties everywhere!
I arrived back at the hotel at about 4pm, had a bath and a sleep. Later I went down for a beer and then phoned my wife Sue (US$36 for 3 minutes!). The group of us Aussies later went out for dinner at a Spanish/Mexican restaurant. It was very expensive - US$35 each for crap food!
Day 17 - Sunday 17 August
MoskvaToday was a bit of a lost day. It was overcast, dull, cold and wet. My foot was very sore and walking was difficult. I decided to just take it easy. I set out about 10am and first walked south, changed my mind and then walked north.
I was in one of Moscow's main thoroughfares when I came across this beautiful building through an archway between street-front buildings.
You can see a more detailed picture below.
I walked as far as the original Moscow McDonalds which is huge. Because of my sore foot, I decided to try the Metro. Down the escalators deep under Moscow, I was at Puskinskaya (Station). I had read that Kievskaya was worth seeing so I caught a train to the circular line to get there. At first attempt I went the wrong way but it didn't matter because trains were running every 2 to 3 minutes. Kievskaya was magnificent. I found myself on a platform surrounded by tiled mosaic murals and chandeliers. In fact all the stations I saw were rather special.
I made my way back to Okhotny Ryad (near Red Square) and met the others about 1pm. We went shopping for some lacquered boxes, and Klaus bought some amber beads. (When I returned home, it turns out I should have done the same!)
We didn't do much more after that. Klaus, Werner, Joe and I had a couple of coffees and then a beer. We all went to Pizza Hut for dinner, hoping for a cheaper meal. Not so!
It was cold and wet out and I felt quite homesick! I went back to the hotel to pack!
My train to St Petersburg departed at 11:59pm.
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