Vodkatrain - Moscow

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Hey everybody, I've now completed the Ruski Huski train journey from Moscow via Lake Baikal and Mongolia to Beijing and I'm typing this in my hostel just 10 minutes walk from the Forbidden City. It's been an amazing journey so far and I've got loads of great memorys and met some great people. I've taken quite a few pictures so I'm going to split the journey into a couple of blogs and upload a selection of the pictures.

Well the Journey started in moscow with a scary taxi ride from the airport, the driver didn't speak any English and the car wouldn't start so he had to get a jump start off another driver, then everytime he took his foot off the accelerator all the electrics would die! I was glad to get to the hostel for sure. I managed to get a few hours kipp then headed out to explore Moscow, luckily there was a lovely American girl called Maria staying at the hostel who knew a guy who lived in Moscow who showed us the sites and guided us round the metro system, It definately is a amazing city although Russians seem angry all the time and if you don't speak any Russian and don't have a guide it would definately be a hard city to get around. I got to see Red square (much better at night time), St Basil's, the massive GUM shopping complex, the national history museum (get the audio guide as there are no english signs on anything) and the old town, unfortunately the kremlin and the mausoleum were both closed. I also met up with the rest of the tour group and our Honcho Elenna who were all a lovely bunch, and then it was onto the Train and off to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal

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Photos

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The National History Museum as veiwed from just outside Red Square

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There was a massive lightshow being projected onto this building just outside Red Square when I went, along with some awful techno music.

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The Veiw away from Red Square

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The entrance to Red Square

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What I assume was a little chapel just by the entrance.

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Ed standing on the centre of Moscow, throwing a coin over his shoulder so his wish will come true.

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The walls of the Kremlin

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GUM Shopping Centre

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One of the towers to the Kremlin

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The National History Museum from Red Square

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Another of the towers of the Kremlin

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Red Square with Gum on the left, St Basil's in the Middle and the Kremlin on the right.

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St Basil's

Comments

[Aunty Cath]

Good to hear from you
So good to hear you are alive and well Michael. What fantastic pictures too-keep them coming. I would love to hear about the train journey. Have always fancied doing it myself! Take care and enjoy every moment. Love Aunty Cath xxxx

[Anna Narayan]

Where to stay in Moscow?
Hello everyone!!! I'm a student (basically meaning that I'm on a low budget) who is planning to travel to this overwhelming county. I was advised by my friend to stay at Trip&Sleep Moscow Hostel, but I'm not sure. Could you help me?!? are hostels in Russia the same as everywhere else and is this particular hostel any good? Thanks in advance for your help))))))

[Old Green Pike]

RE:Where to stay in Moscow?
Hi Anna, I'm afraid I can't comment on the Trip&Sleep Hostel as I didn't stay there. The Hostel that Vodkatrain uses is called Godzillas which was the one I stayed in. It was a very good Hostel, comfy beds, clean dorms & showers and excellent facilities including free internet and an endless supply of movies to watch in their Lounge.