In 2003 visited Russia. Flew into London and spent the morning there and then headed out to Moscow, Domodedovo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domodedovo_International_Airport
Domodedovo was actually under re-construction at the time I passed through in 2003.
Stayed at Hotel Rossiya (now gone - apparently demolition started in 2006). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossiya_Hotel,_Moscow
Here is a view out the window of my room looking northwards.
Saw many interesting areas, like the Arbat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbat
and Kremlin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kremlin
Here I am inside the Kremlin near one of the churches.
Was very pleased to take an overnight train to Kazan. It was sort of an "Orient Express" on the economy-plan so far as I was concerned, though my gracious Russian hosts thought it rather expensive and inconvenient I think.
Here I am in the carriage at Kazansky vokzal, just a few minutes before departure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazansky_Rail_Terminal
Kazansky station had one of the biggest platforms I have ever seen (bigger than in London and Japan - and that says something) and the train had more carriages than any I had ever seen.
One of my most vivid memories of that trip is that the train ran late and we sat on a siding just before the bridge into Kazan in the early morning waiting for passing traffic. It was snowing and we were near a small village. It was peaceful, and intriguing to watch the villagers go about their early morning business. There were a few cars and trucks, mostly people were our for a walk. Given no automobiles, it could have been the turn of the century.
In Kazan my hosts showed me great hospitality. Stayed at a very nice spa near the Volga. We had some great meals in restaurants and in my hosts's homes. Saw many interesting and historic sites in Kazan. I especially remember the building with spires of many religions.
And my hosts took me out to a Russian (in name/type, place and ownership *smile*) 2-10-0 locomotive.
Also passed a display of the Buran (or variant) at one of the institutes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_program
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_(spacecraft)
but it might have been a BOR-4 or other relative.
Took the train back to Moscow, and the plane out from Domodedovo, and then back to London for a few days with my wife (business and sightseeing).
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Trip to Japan 2005
My wife and I visited Japan in 2005. We went to the Aichi Expo
http://www.expo2005.or.jp/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2005
Saw lots of Morizo and Kiccoro. Saw many interesting exhibits, including ones about new high speed trains.
Also got to see Satsuki and Mei's house at the Expo...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Expo_2005_of_Satsuki_and_Mei%E2%80%99s_House_01.jpg
Also got to visit Kyoto and Nara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara,_Nara
The deer at Nara are adorable, but also very very cheeky (read aggressive). Watch your back when you feed them wafers!
Saw the (possibly) largest wooden building at Todai-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Ddai-ji
And (possibly) the oldest wooden building at Horyu-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dry%C5%AB-ji
These are just two of many National Treasures of Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Treasures_of_Japan_(temples)
http://www.expo2005.or.jp/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2005
Saw lots of Morizo and Kiccoro. Saw many interesting exhibits, including ones about new high speed trains.
Also got to see Satsuki and Mei's house at the Expo...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Expo_2005_of_Satsuki_and_Mei%E2%80%99s_House_01.jpg
Also got to visit Kyoto and Nara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara,_Nara
The deer at Nara are adorable, but also very very cheeky (read aggressive). Watch your back when you feed them wafers!
Saw the (possibly) largest wooden building at Todai-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Ddai-ji
And (possibly) the oldest wooden building at Horyu-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dry%C5%AB-ji
These are just two of many National Treasures of Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Treasures_of_Japan_(temples)
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