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Monday, August 30, 2010

Trip to Russia in 2003.

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.

View from Hotel Rossiya 2003

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.

Church in Kremlin Moscow 2003

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

Compartment in carriage at Kazansky vokzal 2003
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.
Kazan Spires 2003

And my hosts took me out to a Russian (in name/type, place and ownership *smile*) 2-10-0 locomotive.
Russian 2-10-0 Kazan 2003

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).

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