Total Eclipse : A pictorial review of the Tradewinds Transatlantic crossing 2015

[scubacruiserx2]

In our previous visit to Moscow ( a day trip in 2013 ) , we spent as much time commuting as we spent touring . So this time we wanted to see our friends and spend the night . This would give us a second day of touring before the many of the tourists arrived . So after a good night's sleep , I took my camera case and left my DW sleeping . After exiting the hotel , I followed some others into the unknown , a labyrinth of tunnels that seemed to be headed to Red Square , with no guide , a free man in Russia .

 

 

 

 

I felt more confident with each step and discovery- Photographers welcome !

 

 

 

 

 

English spoken !

 

 

 

 

 

A map with symbols .

 

 

 

 

Happy , healthy people .

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Moscow and the State Historical Museum !

 

 

 

 

 

 

But , upon exiting the tunnel , what would we really find ?

Edited October 11, 2015 by scubacruiserx2

[MicCanberra]

The anticipation, please tell us soon, we need to see.

Edited October 11, 2015 by MicCanberra

[scubacruiserx2]

The anticipation, please tell us soon, we need to see.

 

Sorry about that . A 13.5 hour day with the grandsons just ended , so a quick peek . ;)

[scubacruiserx2]

Popping up from our tunnel like Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd , I could see the crimson city beyond a field of tulips .

 

 

 

 

 

And looking back toward our hotel , several domes in the ground .

 

 

 

 

And a different dome - The World Clock and it's fountain . The imposing building in the distance is the Duma building .

 

 

 

 

The World Clock is a globe divided into 24 time zones . You can see a small St. Basil's church , near the top of the globe , in hour # 11 .

 

 

 

 

The domes are skylights for an underground mall , Okhotny Ryad . This photo is from In your pocket guides , beneath the clock globe .

 

 

 

 

 

Beneath the clock globe looking up .

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Awesome, certainly worth the wait.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

Awesome, certainly worth the wait.:D

 

Thanks Mic , time for more .

[scubacruiserx2]

The rain was light , and near freezing temps , but the light was better than the previous day . The Kremlin on the right and Red Square on the other side of the museum .

 

 

 

 

On the left is the Resurrection Gate where we will enter Red Square

 

 

 

 

after a photo stop of the Zhukov on a horse statue ( remember him ? ) . On June 25th , 1945 , on a parade on Red Square , Zhukov riding a white horse thru Hitler's personal flag on the ground in front of Lenin's tomb and rode on it , like the statue depicts .

 

 

 

 

The Resurrection Gate

 

 

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Gate_and_Chapel

 

 

St. Basil's in the distance

 

 

 

 

Looking back at the gate .

 

 

[cruise47]

Wow!! Is all I can say. Awesome!! Awesome!!! Photos.

[Issyalex]

Wow to all the photos so far. Amazing buildings, beautiful hotel room, lovely restaurants.

 

I still so enjoying my Russian tour holiday. :D

[scubacruiserx2]

Wow!! Is all I can say. Awesome!! Awesome!!! Photos.

 

Thanks we're glad that you're enjoying them and we still got a whole day before we head back to SPB ! ;)

[scubacruiserx2]

Wow to all the photos so far. Amazing buildings, beautiful hotel room, lovely restaurants.

 

I still so enjoying my Russian tour holiday. :D

 

Thanks , we really did enjoy our visit and we're glad that you could come along . :) :D

[MicCanberra]

I enjoy getting the little bit of history behind various statues or buildings etc. All very fascinating.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

I enjoy getting the little bit of history behind various statues or buildings etc. All very fascinating.:D

 

Good , it's included with the tour . ;)

[scubacruiserx2]

Unfortunately , our access to Red Square was barricaded .

 

 

 

The church is the rebuilt version of the Kazan Cathedral . The original was removed by Joseph Stalin in 1936 .

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazan_Cathedral,_Moscow

 

 

 

 

 

It was time for some photos while we waited for opening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rainy Red Square .

 

 

 

 

In Russian , the root word for Red and beautiful are the same . Thus you may hear a Russian call it " Beautiful Square " .

[scubacruiserx2]

Because our access to Red Square is closed , let's go to Manezhnaya Square shall we ?

 

 

http://www.moscow-russia-insiders-guide.com/manezhnaya-square-moscow-russia.html

 

 

 

 

Where there are a number of fountains

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a great place to take photos , no matter what device you choose to use .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2015 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

Crossing the street , it was time to return to the hotel using a different , less scenic route .

 

 

 

 

 

 

A painting of St. Issac's Cathedral was attached to a wall on the building , next to our hotel .

 

 

 

The hallway to our room with double doors .

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit to some fear of elevators after getting stuck with our suitcases on the 13th floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires , at 4 AM ( yes , they do have a 13th floor ) . I guess they didn't get the memo that 13 is unlucky ( and we proved it ! ) . Fortunately on cruise ships and in the US , the people on the 14th floor don't have to worry about being on the 13th floor , because there is no 13th floor . I for one , am glad that we outsmarted that superstition .

 

 

 

 

Our friends in St. Petersburg have an old elevator , the size of a phone booth ( whatever that is ) . So we walk the stairs , when visiting them .

 

 

 

 

But in Moscow on the ground floor , they have a BIG , partially clad dude to help you with the elevator ( when he's not holding up the ceiling ) .

 

 

Next time : Brunch

[MicCanberra]

Lovely shots, I have been in some real old clunky elevators but I have only ever been stuck in the new ones (once for 30 mins and another for 4 hours):eek:

[scubacruiserx2]

Lovely shots, I have been in some real old clunky elevators but I have only ever been stuck in the new ones (once for 30 mins and another for 4 hours):eek:

 

Sorry about that Mic ! I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again . Pat's in surgery for acute abdominal pain expected to last 2 - 5 hours . :( I'll update when I have a chance .

[upwarduk]

Sorry about that Mic ! I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again . Pat's in surgery for acute abdominal pain expected to last 2 - 5 hours . :( I'll update when I have a chance .

 

I really hope that surgery goes well and concentrate on Pat, we can wait.

[Issyalex]

Sorry about that Mic ! I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again . Pat's in surgery for acute abdominal pain expected to last 2 - 5 hours . :( I'll update when I have a chance .

 

So sorry to hear that. I hope Pats surgery goes well. Your are both in my thoughts and prayers.

[MicCanberra]

Sorry about that Mic ! I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again . Pat's in surgery for acute abdominal pain expected to last 2 - 5 hours . :( I'll update when I have a chance .

 

I hope all goes well, thoughts with you both.

[scubacruiserx2]

I really hope that surgery goes well and concentrate on Pat, we can wait.

 

Thanks Jackie , time for a quick post before I head out this morning.

 

 

So sorry to hear that. I hope Pats surgery goes well. Your are both in my thoughts and prayers.

 

 

Thank you , Issyalex surgery was successful for Perforated Diverticulitis . We hope and pray that the antibiotics will work and that the healing will be quick and complete.

 

I hope all goes well, thoughts with you both.

 

 

Thanks Mic we appreciate that ! Are you ready for breakfast in Moscow ?

[scubacruiserx2]

We called it brunch because of the late hour ( for us ) that we ate at , but it was really breakfast . And being experienced cruisers ( meaning well nourished ) , we pounced on our food like a couple of hungry lions , wearing human clothes .

 

 

Nice dining room

 

 

 

 

with a picture perfect view .

 

 

 

 

The lines at the buffet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Russian breakfast (Zavtrak !)

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know what pink fruit this is ?

[upwarduk]

Those little seeds are small, too small for pomegranate I guess!

[Issyalex]

The pink fruit is a Pitaya also called a Dragon fruit.