Moscow, Russia

June 30, 2019

Arrival into Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport was a nice change from the airport in Split! Plus there were many airport clubs!!!

First thing I did was eat after the horrible dinner served.

Cabbage Pie, Lentil Soup, coffee, wine and sparkling water at 1am.

Just what I needed after my nap.

The club was nice and well needed!

Nothing feels better than a shower after a long flight. It woke me up and got me recharged for visiting Russia for the first time.

My little towel and amenity package.

I better be ready for this, it’s been in the mid nineties all week!

I tried to order a car around 3:30am but Uber here requires you to update and get their new app. The cell signal was terrible down here and I couldn’t get on their WiFi. So then I went to the other app my guide recommended a few weeks ago. But ordering a car used my credit card, and even though I had a travel notice for Russia it didn’t look legitimate to the bank. So of course I tried again, not a good idea. Next I asked the taxi company desk and they wanted 1600 Rubles ($25) but I had only taken out 1200 Rubles, because I didn’t think I would need cash because of the apps and would get cash in the city rather than the airport. So after a few minutes the guy felt bad for me and tried to order a taxi from his app, but I couldn’t pay for it. So he was helping me get it working on my phone….an hour later I was about to walk out and pay the tourist rate and my phone service got better and I was able to order the taxi, for 700 Rubles!!

My driver was a tall Asian-ish looking guy, he drove very fast but was nice. We did our best to communicate but it was tough going back and forth, I just gave up. We made it into Moscow in less than a half hour.

Wow it was cold when I got out of the car! The forties feel real different after being in the nineties for the last week and living in California. Plus it was damp, had rained earlier in the evening so the dampness made it feel colder.

I thought I remembered everything for today, even had a warm jacket….but I forgot shoes, I had on flip flops. My feet were freezing and I felt like people were looking at me…or my feet!

The Moscow Metro map

The sun was rising and the streets were fairly empty save for a few late night partiers. I started with a walk down Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s version of Champs-Élysées, through the city towards the Kremlin and Red Square.

The most beautiful supermarket I’ve ever seen is Yeliseev’s Food Hall! It was also one of the first supermarkets in the world.

It’s not only beautiful but has some amazing products here, I wish o could ship and bring home some groceries!

It was once the home of Russian Princess Zinaida Volkonskayause. The crystal chandeliers, traditional wooden cases and elaborately-carved pillars are beautiful.

Continuing my walk down Tverskaya Street.

Approaching the Kremlin

Looking at the State Historical Museum of Russia with Red Square behind it.

Looking at the Kremlin buildings, Red Square is right behind that building.

This building below you should recognize but probably won’t. Currently it is the Four Seasons Hotel.

Here is how you will recognize it:

My first glimpse of St. Basil’s Cathedral in the distance!

Surrounded by the Kremlin in Red Square

Ruins Grotto in Alexander Gardens is a monument to the victory over Napoleon, this is actual rubble from buildings attacked by Napoleon’s forces.

This was a monument to the House of Romanov to commemorate the 300 years of the reign of the Romanov dynasty. But after the revolution, the monarchy monument turned into the revolutionary one-the names of the Romanovs were replaced with the names of revolutionary figures of all time; and the remaining attributes of the previous government were eliminated.

Alexander Gardens stretchs along all the length of the western Kremlin wall and was the first public park in Moscow. It’s beautiful and a great respite from the city.

Resurrection Gate to Red Square-see St. Basil’s in the right arch.

Quick stop for breakfast and coffee. Syrniki (сырники) are slightly sweet cheesy Russian pancakes served with sour cream or fresh fruit, they were tasty.

Kazan Cathedral Казанский собор, love how colorful it is.

Below is the State Historical Museum of Russia.

GUM is the main department store in many cities of the former Soviet Union it was known as State Department Store during the Soviet era. This one in Red Square is the most popular and beautiful.

This is the part I have been soooo excited about!!! Seeing St. Basil’s Cathedral. My guide Mariam was great, I learned so much about history and events that happened here.

Lenin’s Tomb where his body has been preserved and on display since he died in 1924, I didn’t get to see it because it wasn’t open yet.

Benefits of being here at 5am!

Check this off my travel bucket list! Looking up at St. Basil’s Cathedral as it looms majestically over Red Square with the Kremlin and Lenin’s Tomb surrounding me was overwhelming. Standing where countless historical and political events in history have occurred was surreal!