Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia. In 1993 the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia became a democratic state. It has 12million population. 16million in daytime because some people live outside in their country houses but work in Moscow so 7 million people commute daily to the city. Private offices working hours are from 10am to 6pm  while government offices are from 8.30-9am to 5pm. Some markets are 24 hrs open. And big shopping malls open from 10am-10pm. Russians love to wear black. They have black dress black jackets, black boots and black gloves and caps.

We had a cold sightseeing around the streets of Moscow with a local guide in the evening.

This is one of Moscow's artistically designed Underground Metro Stations.

They said that the Moscow Metro is the world's second most heavily used rapid transit system.

<Seoul Metropolitan Subway is the largest.>

There is a bronze statue of a guard with a dog and it is believed that you should rub the dog’s nose and then it will make your wish come true. The nose of this dog statue had been rubbed many many times by the people so its original black color faded and became golden. 

The Red Square by Night

A walk to remember in the graveyard.

Our tour guide's  favorite place is the grave yard so we walked around the graves and tombs for an hour under the rain holding our umbrellas and listening on and on to the names of the famous but dead Russians who were buried here. It feels like those sad funeral scenes in the movies.

Inside the Kremlin.

Kremlin is the center of Moscow. Our tour guide said it is the old city of Moscow then the city slowly grew and expanded around it. It is surrounded by a very old wall. Inside the walls are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. It is the official residence of the President of the Russia similar to the White House to the US President.

One of Kremlin's Cathedrals

The Red Square

The Red Square is in the middle of Moscow. It is called 'red' square not because of the red color of the buildings but rather because the Russian word, 'beautiful' sounds the same as 'red'. So in other words,  it's originally named as 'Beautiful' Square.

Food in Russia is a little expensive. This costs me 600 Rubles from a fastfood restaurant. That is around 60Dirhams. But of course it tastes great.

Waiting for the rest of our tour group in the meeting point.
our group came from different nations. New Zealand, Australia, US, Thailand and Philippines.

World famous Moscow Circus.

Russia is the first country in the world to operate a state-run circus training facility

The Great Moscow State Circus is an auditorium that can seat up to 3,400 people and has 36 metres height. The Russian Acrobatics have expert and breath-taking performances.

The sky in Moscow is almost always grey.

The Russians eye color looks the same like their sky. Cold Grey.

Enemies at the Gates

Moscow at Night

You must never ever try to cross the street if you want to stay alive. There are underground pedestrian passes. The fast and the furious possessed all the roads.

Swan Lake in front of the Novodevichy Convent

The Novodevichy Convent, before they said that many ladies from the royal families were forced to enter the monastery and lived here.

Christ the King Church

One of Stalin Sisters.

The Seven Sisters are a group of seven beautiful buildings in Moscow designed in the Stalinist style.

Farewell Dinner

standing in awe of its brilliance.

It is allowed to park in the sidewalk. No muqalfa here.

Rainy cold afternoon in Arbat Street

Marriot

 It is one of the best hotels in Moscow because it is near Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre.

Why is the water here yellow?

Moscow Airport Going back to UAE
<Its such refreshing experience to explore another great country!>

Our tour itinerary for 3 days.