Russia
Expansive and spectacular!
Expansive and spectacular!
FIFA World Cup 2018 is what got me to Russia. We decided to tour a bit since were travelling that far. Our Circuit was, St. Petersburg (via Moscow), Moscow for sightseeing and to watch CR7, Sochi (Adler) for another game and to watch Toni Kroos score from "the free kick" of FIFA World Cup 2018 and finally Lake Baikal (at Listvyanka) via Irkutsk.
Our first whistle stop on our two week Russia trip.
The Nikonov, a quaint boutique hotel where we stayed at St. Pete's (FIFA World Cup 2018)
The statue of Catherine the Great. A woman who ruled with an iron fist.
Just another day in the life of a Russian tour guide on Nevsky Prospekt
The Kazan Cathedral
The Griboyedov Canal leading to the Church of the Saviour of Spilled Blood (also called the Resurrection Church), off Nevsky Prospekt.
Nitin on the embankment of the Griboyedov Canal with the Resurrection Church in the background
Catherine with her nobles underfoot
Minarets of the Resurrection Church, which we couldn't enter since it was being "resurrected" :-)
Hermes keeping watch
FIFA Fan Zone near the Nevsky Prospekt. Despite the colour and festivities we abandoned the noise, since the beer served was non-alcoholic.
The nobility enjoying an ice cream in the summer heat
Moscow, Russia's sprawling capital where we walked around the Red Square, cruised down the Moskva and enjoyed a concert at the Bolshoi Theater
The St. Peter's Basiclica at the Red Square, Russia's most beautiful and iconic monument.
Panoramic views of both sides (above and below) of the legendary Red Square, the earlier centre of Soviet power.
Dark clouds over the Kremlin and it's shining minarets. A portent of things to come!
The Russian Defence Ministry building viewed from the Moskva river.
The Luzhniki Stadium from the Moskva river.
The spectacular Moscow University building viewed from the Luzhniki Stadium. We enjoyed this stunning view while at while we sipped our beer prior to the Morocco Portugal game.
Next day we... "followed the Moskva, down to Gorky Park... listening to the wind, and rain!!!".
Further down the Moskva was the floating bridge rising out of the Zaryadye Park.
On the day of the Morocco Portugal football game we made our way to the Luzhniki Stadium. It was a festive environment riotous with colour.
A band plays to welcome the spectators into the stadium
Nitin and Anshul stand before the giant buildings within the Luzhniki Stadium complex
Nitin, poses with the Zabiwaka (FIFA 2018 mascot)
A moment with the cheerleader damsels
A panoramic view of the Luzhniki Stadium, empty (above) and full (below). We got in early to take these pics.
Our last evening in Moscow was spent watching a Classical Concert at the Bolshoi Theater.
The Bolshoi Theatre at dusk.
We next travelled to Sochi on the Black Sea (where most of the Soviet Politburo members had their Dachas). Our reason to visit was the clash between Sweden and Germany. The German's already a game down (to Mexico earlier) were fighting to stay in the tournament.
A view of the spectacular Fisht Stadium, the venue for the game
The clean, beautiful Adler promenade
A panoramic view of the beachfront at Adler (Sochi) overlooking the Black Sea
Anshul at the Adler promenade
Bogatyr hotel (supposed to look like a medieval castle)
A spectacular view of the Fisht Stadium, prior to the game.
Anshul (right) and Nitin (left) pose on the Adler promenade
Setting sun over the Fisht Stadium
The festive Adler promenade
A panoramic view of the Fisht Stadium inside
The beachfront at Adler, ...pebbled beaches just ain't my thing!
The delectable Lulya Kebab which we feasted on!
We travelled to Lake Baikal via Irkutsk, and drove down to Listvyanka (a quaint hamlet on the edge of the world's most voluminous freshwater lake).
Menacing clouds and a smattering of rain over lake Baikal [Above]
The sipping tycoon enjoying a "beer on the pier" amidst bracing winds and a cold drizzle
A spectacular view from the Chersky Peak. You get to this point via a ropeway (shown below) and a short walk. Our guide, Andriy was a delightful companion on our tour of the Listvyanka neighbourhood.
Andriy, our guide from Listvyanka
The Baikal ropeway
The Baikal railway
Vintage steam locomotive on display
The grand scale of Lake Baikal with a sweeping view of the Baikal Port at Listvyanka and the accompanying railway from the Chersky Peak.
The Baikal Port and Railway (above).
Kids at play in a traditional Baikal village (above). This place is setup now as a museum.
A traditional Baikal home (above).
The Shaman Stone
Our hotel, the Dream of Baikal
We spent our last day in Russia at Irkutsk on our way back from Listvyanka. The distinct flavour about Irkutsk we enjoyed was it's "Soviet-ness", a hangover from the past. Soviet style buildings, statues from the communist era and reminder of their early prowess as space pioneers, all were on display in Irkutsk.
A panorama of the Angara river which skirts Irkutsk
Nitin, with Yuraaaaa.....!!!
LENIN!
The Babr with a sable in it's mouth. The emblem of Irkutsk.
The story of the Babr emblem is interesting. It is in essence a Siberian tiger with a beaver's tail (a result of a mix-up rather than myth). The Cossaks encountered the Siberian tigers (locally called Babr) in number when they came to Baikal. In the process of defining the emblem for the region they mistook it for "bobr" or beaver and gave it the wrong tail.