After trying to make sense of the metro, with it being in Russian, and our guide book being the English translations, Trev opted for a taxi to the hotel.
An interesting location for a hotel, but they were nice enough to let us check in early (being 10am) which was lovely of them.
After layering, layering, and layering up we set off for a day/night in the cold.
Wandered though the snow streets with hundreds of military men about the place setting up road blocks etc.
Slightly menacing but didn’t cause us any trouble.
Past frozen statues and fountains.
I managed my first slide of the day, into a 1.5m high wall of snow sideways…
Definitely a cold way to wake up..
Lucky I was too quick and there’s no photographic evidence!
Wandered through the little market stalls and the kids rides scattered about the place, and we came upon the gates to the famous Red Square.
It was larger than I imagined it to be, and so impressive.
What a sight!
So exciting to think we‘re in The actual Red Square!
St Basil's Cathedral, is as impressive as all the pics of it portray.
I love it’s brightly painted domes all coated with a dusting of snow, it’s so unique.
Wandered about until we were frozen solid, then headed inside the GUM to get warm.
(A huge shopping centre, much like Harrods in London.)
Much of the day was spent standing outside until it became unbearably cold, then warming up inside.
Around 630pm we headed inside the cafe at the Ice-skating ring in the Red square for a hot drink.
We ordered some hot chocolates and were surprised when the gave us little shot like things, and half a cup of cold water..
What to do?
1st attempt of adding the two together, was an epic fail…
luckily the kids didn’t mind it so much!
2nd attempt was after sussing out what others were doing… shot the hot cocoa mix, then sip the cold water..
Not quiet the hot drink we were expecting!
While we were holed up inside with the heaters, they kicked everyone out of the Red Square.
It was eerie out there, with not a soul to be seen
Seems they wanted to do some bag searching, and have everyone go through a metal detector.
Definitely made being inside the square feel safer.
They kicked everyone out of the cafe about 8pm and we wandered about in the cold..
Only 4 hours till midnight (the count down was on for about 8hrs!!)
There was so many armed guards in the crowds. Amazing yet so freaky, they were all so young too.
Went out to investigate the stage and they wouldn’t let us back into the Red Square.
So we began this epic walk back to the other side.
Past 4 pat downs, and another metal detector!
Overkill perhaps!?!
But it helped warm us up
At 11pm the square was still surprisingly empty
11pm
but from about 1130pm onward people came tumbling from all directions.
11:45PM
I guess it’s only stupid tourists that’ll stand about for hours and hours in -17 degree temps!
The locals rock up at the last minute to avoid the cold!
Saw in the new year with about 150 000 of my closest Russian friends!
Nothing beats standing watching the fireworks over St Basil’ Cathedral, with snow falling.
Definitely a NYE to be remembered.
I was surprised at how tame the Russians were, even on the way out of the square, the military officers had blocked many of the streets off for crowd control, and people just went with the flow. There was a bit of pushing and shoving, but you get that anywhere.
Got back to the warmth of the hotel about 1am..
Never been so thankful for a hot shower in all my life!
Happy New Year from Moscow!
1 comment:
OMG That is so stunning - THESE pics make me jealous of your travels not the mushrooms and asbestos :p
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