Moscow
While Mrs. SFO decided to nap, I headed out across the street to Red Square while the weather was still nice.
TV crew setting up for tomorrow's November 7th parade honoring the men that lost their lives in 1941 when Russia went to war against Hitler.
My first look at fabled Red Square with the massive GUM department store (now an fabulous shopping center... pics coming) extending virtually the entire one side of the square opposite the Kremlin. Very impressive.
Iconic St. Basil's. Amazing to see it in person.
Back at the National, Mrs. SFO was still tired and decided she wanted no part of going out on the town tonight. So she voted for a drink and dinner in the hotel bar. Naturally, we went with Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Kiev. Both were delicious.
Back in the room, late afternoon and then night brings stunning views of Red Square and the Kremlin.
Countdown to Sochi.
Preparing for today's November 7th parade.
Still standing in the same place.
Prior to our arrival, I had arranged a private guide for both Thursday and Friday. Our wonderful guide Sophie, was waiting for us in the concierge area at 10AM, and we were off on foot to explore Moscow.
The Politburo.
And The Bolshoi Theatre where we will be tomorrow night.
The famous GUM (pronounced Goom), once a Soviet-era sparsely stocked "department store", now a beautiful shopping upscale centre.
No, not Mrs. SFO. This was another one of those oops, didn't mean to take your pic moments that I usually have once a trip. I was taking the pic of the art and didn't realize that the woman was looking right at me. Sorry!
A recreation/restoration of Stalin's favorite car.
The upscale food shop, where Sophie recalled that she used to stand in line for up to two hours just to buy bread. Times have changed.
At the other end of GUM, a quick peek at St. Basil's.
Off to the explore the famous Metro, a seemingly efficient systems that moves over 7 million people a day... 30 rubles (about $0.90) per one way apparently for as far as you want to go.
To the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, rebuilt in the 1990's after Stalin had ordered it destroyed calling religion "opium for the masses".
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/r...ist-the-savior
Lunch near the National at Vatrushka, the best restaurant of our visit.
And back at hotel. From the balcony on a dreary but still warm (+13) afternoon.
And later that evening, the fabled Café Pushkin, a must for anyone visiting Moscow. Pics from their website. http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
Our table.
Moscow
Day 2
We met our guide Sophie in the lobby at 9:30A and headed out first to Red Square and then to the Kremlin.
Towards the Kremlin entrance.
By the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Towards the State Armory, which houses one of the most spectacular collections of state jewelry and treasures you will find anywhere. The Fabergé egg collection alone is worth nearly $500 million. A remarkable collection of ceremonial carriages, glittering thrones and memorabilia from Russian aristocracy throughout the centuries.
The Kremlin walls overlooking the Mockba River.
Official government offices.
Putin's office building. He was out today and unable to meet for a photo op.
Soviet era meeting/concert hall
Part of the shopping center right next to the Kremlin.
And the inside of the dome that we could see from our hotel room.
Back at the National, lunch at the gorgeous Composer restaurant, operated by local restaurateur Arkady Levin. I guess he's a big deal in Russia. Beautiful decor. Not so great food. OK, we're starting to tire of Russian cuisine. Scary that we are starting to crave Polish food. I guess there is a reason you don't hear "let's do Russian tonight" when considering dining out options in the rest of the world.
Nice presentation I guess, but this was the worst beef stroganoff of the trip.
Bolshoi Ballet
Bolshoi Theatre
Moscow
Friday, November 8, 2013
One of the highlights of the pre-planning was our ability (or the National concierge's) to get two front row balcony tickets to the Bolshoi, and opening night of the new ballet Marco Spada. We've been to opera houses and ballets in Paris, Vienna and Prague and the exterior of the Bolshoi Theatre ranks with the best.
But the interior was actually pretty disappointing. No grand lobby and staircases like Opera Garnier in Paris or in Vienna.
Waiting for the ladies to open the doors to our box.
Once inside, nice but I guess I was expecting more. And the balcony seating leaves a lot to be desired, but row two standing behind us to the point of being annoying. They must have got the message to "back the hell off" as they never returned after the first intermission. Sorry, no pics of the ballet itself as "no photos during the performance" was not something I wanted to test.
In spite of the disappointing seating, the ballet itself was absolutely magnificent. The dancers, the sets, the staging, choreography, the music were all unbelievable. A joy to experience and by far, better than any performance we've seen anywhere. Afterwards, we walked across (or under the street) to The Metropol, where parts of Dr. Zhivago were filmed.
But by now, more of the same tiresome Russian cuisine. Although made less tiresome by a bottle of reasonably priced and delicious Casa Lapostelle Chardonnay.
