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I used a Russian travel agency to purchase my train-tickets from St Petersburg to Moscow and from Moscow to Irkutsk prior to my departure from Kuala Lumpur. Both were 3rd class train tickets and I paid 633 rub-Euro$15.40 for the St Petersburg to Moscow train ride, in addition I had to paid a service fee of Euro$8 so a bit pricey but at least I had the E-tickets issued to me prior to my departure. The E-tickets could be exchanged for the hard copies of the train tickets upon presentation of our passports at the Moskovsky Vokzal station in St Petersburg.
At 0040 (after midnight), our train departed from St Petersburg and arrived in Moscow at 0950. Upon arrival, I took a Metro to Godzillas hostel (Euro$23 dorm) and stayed for 3 nights.
The major tourist sites in Moscow are centered around the Red Square and Kremlin area. I had the opportunity to witness a National Day military parade at the Red Square and also visited the Lenin Mausoleum. These places are about 30 minutes walk from my hostel. The other tourist attractions I visited were scattered within 20-30 minutes walk from the Red Square. I also visited two underground train stations ie Komsomolskaya (1935) & Ploschad Revolyutsii (1938) The first station is the most luxurious in design with huge chandeliers and marble walls and ceilings; whereas the second station has 76 bronze figures representing the socialist world.
I had a pleasant stay in Moscow and my perception on this city has changed somewhat after this visit. Not that difficult to move around but still a big challenge especially taking the Metro underground trains.
1) The Kremlin - closed to the public until 1955.
At 0040 (after midnight), our train departed from St Petersburg and arrived in Moscow at 0950. Upon arrival, I took a Metro to Godzillas hostel (Euro$23 dorm) and stayed for 3 nights.
The major tourist sites in Moscow are centered around the Red Square and Kremlin area. I had the opportunity to witness a National Day military parade at the Red Square and also visited the Lenin Mausoleum. These places are about 30 minutes walk from my hostel. The other tourist attractions I visited were scattered within 20-30 minutes walk from the Red Square. I also visited two underground train stations ie Komsomolskaya (1935) & Ploschad Revolyutsii (1938) The first station is the most luxurious in design with huge chandeliers and marble walls and ceilings; whereas the second station has 76 bronze figures representing the socialist world.
I had a pleasant stay in Moscow and my perception on this city has changed somewhat after this visit. Not that difficult to move around but still a big challenge especially taking the Metro underground trains.
In the 2009 world city survey, Moscow is currently ranked No 3 (last year was No 1) as one of the most expensive city to live in. Tokyo was ranked No 1 and Osaka No 2.
1) The Kremlin - closed to the public until 1955.
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2) St Basil's Cathedral in the Red Square - built in 1555, a symbol of Russia. The colorful domes looked grand especially at night.
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3) The Red Square - used to be a market square for people to congregate and celebrate. Also used by the Soviet Government to hold their military parades.
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5) Cathedral of Christ the Savior -the original church was built in 1839 but was destroyed during Stalin's period.
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6) Other old churches around Moscow - nice to look at from a distance.
7) Peter the Great
8) The art street - rows and rows of framed up artworks on sale here; no photographs allowed but I discreetly took a few pictures. The local artists here appeared to be very proud of their own art works which did not carry any price tags. So be prepared to pay more if you like a particular piece of artwork on display here.
9) Ul Arbat - a 1.25km pedestrian mall, Moscow famous street. Tourists enjoyed their time here.
10) Statutes, memorials & monuments - some looked funny; others denote a hero's past.
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11) Up-market shopping center in Moscow: Not far from the Kremlin, as busy as our KLCC Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur !
12) Underground Metro stations in Moscow - two with outstanding designs worth mentioning ie Komsomolskaya & Ploshchad Revolyutsii. Built between 1935-1938. I was very impressed after seeing them.
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" Something to ponder in Moscow: If you looked back in history, many terrible events happened in Moscow since the 17th century. The Tsar, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Alexander the First, Nicholas 1, Marxism, Russo-Japanese War, October Revolution, Civil War, War Communism, Stalin, Hitler's Invasion, Gorbachev & the fall of Soviet Union. Now President Putin, an ex-KGB Head in control of today's Russia - no wonder I always have this eerie feeling before coming to Russia, terrified by what this poster has to say - KGB Still Watching You ! "
" In 1960's, Russia was made famous by this 007 James Bond spy thriller film - From Russia With Love. After seeing the pictures I have posted in my travel blog, I believe you will agree with me that Russia indeed has a lot of interesting places for you to visit and appreciate. So I don't cry for you if you include Russia in your future travel plan.
The Secret of Life - Cherish the present moment as each moment is unique "
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