Moscow

We only had limited time so Chris, Emma, Jenny and I had spent the train ride working out when and how we could fit everything in to our 2 days. We arrived in Moscow in the late afternoon so walked down to the Red square, and had a look around town. In hindsight this was the best time to see the Red square and St. Basil's Cathedral as the light was good for photos and there was not many tourist around. I could believe I was actually at the Red Square. It was just like every Jame Bond movie I have seen.

The next day was Monday which was going to be our day to see St. Basil's Cathedral but due to renovations our plans were changed. Emma had managed to convice Chris that he had to see a ballet with her in Moscow and both Jenny and I decided to join them. I had never seen a ballet and thought that Moscow must be the perfect place to see one. That morning the four of us got tickets to 'Romeo and Juliet' for that nights show.

We then spent the day looking at the Moscow's Metro. The metro stations in Moscow are one of the big tourist attactions with each metro station having it's own stunning architecture filled with Soviet art and large chandeliers. The escalators down to the metro made the Parliment station in melbourne's escalators look short.

After looking around the Metro. We had a look at the main shopping street called Arbat. The street was full of shops selling everything Russian from hats to dolls and ex army gear. I didn't get anything but did try on a few hats. what do you think.....

Afterwards we went to Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was so big and now dominates the skyline in Moscow. The church was destoryed during Stalin's time and for 50 years was the site of the world's largest swimming pool.

That night we went to the ballet. It was really great. The dancers are so fit. After the second act all the preformers came out as if the show was over. I was very confused as both Romeo and Juilet weres still alive. Very odd! Then everyone left the hall. We were all shocked. we soon discovered that it was just another intermission. After 20 mins the show continued.

The next day we got up really early and made plans to do the Kremlin and Lenin before lunch. The Kremlin opened at 10.30 but we were in the line by 8.30. When the ticket office was about to open a man came up and told us that due to the bomb scares in London the Kremlin would be closed. We had waited all that time and we happy to wait another 5 mins to hear the thruth from the ticket box ourselves. In the end the man was lying in an attempt to get us to go to the Diamond mesuem or something. So at 10.30 we entered the Kremlin, second in line. We had to have an Autotour because they said they were not selling other tickets. It was all really just a money making operation but I didn't care cos I really wanted to see the Kremlin and it was worth it. Check out these pictures.

Putin, the man himself was in America so we couldn't get to see him though we did see this look alike outside.

After the Kremlin, Jenny, Daniel and I went to see Lenin. The line for Lenin was 2 hours long and he was only going to be open for another hour so things were not looking good. We went to the back of the line and were shortly apporached by a man offering to get us and people next to us in now if we aid him 150 roubles. Lenin is normally free but to get out of the line I was willing to pay. So with his help we bribed the guards to let us in. It was great fun.

Lenin was looking good compared to Mao and Ho Chi Minh who I have seen before. Then we got to see the tombs of other past leaders like Starlin. Boris wasn't there as he was burried somewhere else.

That night we took a boat cruise down the Moscow river. It was a lovely way to see the city and say farewell to Moscow for now.