Bob and Ann in Russia 2007

Please visit August 25 slideshow.

Fresh oranges and grapefruit along with a semi-sweet muesli highlighted my breakfast. There were a lot of cholesterol laden things, too, but I resisted. The coffee is good and strong.

We boarded the buses and rode again to the city center. This time we had a tour of the fantastic Moscow Metro stations. The stations are famed for their sumptuous and unique decorations. There are chandeliers, murals, statues and NO GRAFITTI. Stalin decided that he had to build a subway that was better than any others. He dedicated it to the people as a palace of socialism. We got off at the station closest to Arbat Street. This is a main shopping street in Moscow. On Saturday, the regular stores are supplemented by outdoor stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables as well as hand-made crafts. We had fun walking up and down watching people, checking prices and taking pictures. I bought a muffin at the local McDonalds in its McCafe. Ann was more health-oriented and bought us bananas at a stall. Some of the other fruit looked really good.

In the Restaurant

We then got on our bus again and were driven back to the city center near Red Square, Ann and I decided to stay in town rather than go back to the boat. There was a shuttle bus scheduled to pick us and the other adventurers at 3:00 and 5:00. We set out to eat in a Russian restaurant that Marina recommended. She said that it was good and fairly inexpensive. Ann had an Olivier salad with potatoes, peas, carrots, olives, apples, chicken, etc.. I had a Tule salad with diced beets, carrots, cucumber, potatoes and salted herring. For an entrée, I had pieces of salmon and sturgeon along with mushrooms and broiled potatoes in a rich cream sauce. Yummy!

After lunch, we walked around Red Square and took more pictures. We visited the inside of St Basil's Cathedral. Then we walked outside in time for a military procession at 2:00. Then it was into Gum for a potty break (it was that large beer for lunch), out of Red Square for ice cream for Ann and then over to Stalin's statue to catch our 3:00 bus back to the boat.

On the boat, we cleaned up and took our beer and peanuts to the top deck to relax and read. It was much cooler today, so sitting outside was very pleasant. We ate dinner with a quaint couple from Indiana and two nice women from Houston.

Outside Red Square at Night

Tonight, we took the "Moscow by Night" optional tour. We were a little apprehensive about going on the tour because it finished so late. (We are not used to going to bed after midnight). The tour was worth it. The night skyline and illuminated monuments and buildings were a pleasant change from the gritty, dusty, smoggy daytime sights. Our first stop was in an area close to the city center where new high-rise buildings are being constructed for business and living. We found out that high-rise buildings are not permitted in the city close to the Kremlin. This used to be for security purposes, but now it's because of esthetics and good city planning. The new complex has two metro stops and a bridge over the river for people to walk between it and the city center.

Our next stop was at a huge WWII memorial. In this complex were a museum in an arc shape, a tall obelisk in the shape of a saber, and a very long, narrow fountain with over 1000 spouts representing the number of days that Russia was in WWII. The water spouts were illuminated by red lights to signify the blood of the soldiers. On the street at the end of the fountain was an arch signifying the Russian triumphs in various wars. We were surprised that there were so many Russian people of all ages at the memorial this late at night - after 10:30.

Our last stop was at Red Square that took on a special ambiance after dark. Spotlights illuminated St Basil's Cathedral giving it a more fairyland appearance. Gum's was also lit up with string of lights.

Here is the link to the map of our route for Moscow By Night. To see it in Google Earth, follow this link.

We got back to the boat after 11:30 and went to bed at midnight.

The map of our route to the Metro and Arbat Street is below. To see it in Google Earth, follow this link.