Update from Moscow
An un-eventful journey from Heathrow following a slight delay as the crew couldn't shut the oven door. Given the choice of arriving late or arriving hungry they clearly chose the correct option.

Moscow customs were staffed by pit bull like monsters, clearly looking for every opportunity to turn us back. Once beyond the pit bulls the people are really friendly. A budding F1 drivers sped us into the city centre as the evening fell across the orange leaves of the Moscow parks. Checked into what externally looked like a concrete brick, inside pleasantly surprised with the comfort levels, easily as good as in the UK. (first preconception gone).

Following day taken into the city with a local guide. A fascinating anarchist, with a real dislike for anything soviet... Over the next day or so we took in the Kremlin, Red Square and visited Lenin in his tomb, a bit creepy and surreal. Food in Moscow is very good (second preconception gone), as wide a variety as any city in the world. Some items are very cheap, 2 pounds for Russian champagne the vodka is cheaper than water.

Susie tricked me into going to the Ballet. We picked up some last minute tickets for the price of a pizza back home and saw Gizelle at the Bolshoi. This is the best ballet I've ever seen, OK, it is the only ballet I've seen, so perhaps I ought not comment.

Tonight we board the train to Mongolia, should be interesting.


- posted by Adrian @ 4:30:00 PM