Moscow

With the arrival in Moscow comes the official Trans-Siberian train journey to an end, but not yet my train adventure!

Sunlight glinting off golden domed churches. Blond tall women emerging from black Porsche Cayenne cars. Uniformed military at every corner around the Kremlin and Red Square - This is Moscow!

   

The Kremlin is the place, enclosed by a high wall, where the autocratic tsars, communist dictators and democratic presidents have done their best (and worst) for Russia. Inside this ‘City within a city’ are many covernment buildings (closed to public) but also ancient cathedrals where the Tsars were crowned and buried.

   

Within the Kremlin I visited the Armory, an opulent collection of treasures accumulated over time by the Russian State and Church. It’s called the Armory because the collection is priceless, and it’s housed in the most secure building within the Kremlin, the former weapons store!

   

As famous as the Kremlin is the Red Square, outside its wall. I had the chance to visit Lenin’s tomb there - the father of Soviet communism. Humourless guards ensure that visitors remain respectful while passing by the embalmed Lenin. On the impressive Red Square you will find beside Lenin’s tomb the history museum, GUM shopping center (nice glass roof structure) and Basil’s Cathedral.

   

   

Lot of locals enjoy the warm weather and the late sunset around the lovely Aleksandrovsky garden, where also the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located.

   

There is much more to explore in Moscow: The Metro with its beautiful stations, Arbat, Museums, and much more. Also the quality of life is back, as the food selection in Moscow offers more than cucumbers and tomatos.

   

Even I’m only 2500km away from home, I am heading towards north to St. Petersburg tomorrow.