I arrived in Moscow on Oct. 4 and departed on the 8th, and I had a REALLY WONDERFUL time!! I traveled alone as my husband has no interest in Russia. This was my fifth visit to Moscow. I stayed at the Maxima Zarya Hotel, which is about a 20 minute ride from Red Square. After checking into the hotel, I walked to the Metro station, which is about a ten minute walk, and went to Red Square. Right outside Resurrection Gate were 4 impersonators - Putin, Lenin, Stalin, and Brezhnev!! I am glad I got to see them because I guess they are only there on the weekend. I never saw them there during the week. The guy who impersonates Putin was very funny, and the crowd loved him. So did I!!
I wanted to go to places where I had never been before, so I went inside the State History Museum. It was fascinating, especially the mummified head! They also had a special gold exhibit.
The next day I went to the Romanov Chambers, which is about a ten minute walk from Red Sqaure. Unfortunately it is closed on the first Monday of the month, a fact my guide book failed to mention. So I went back to Red Square and bought a ticket for the Kremlin and the Armoury. I never miss a chance to visit the Armoury as I am facinated with just about everything they have there, especially the Faberge items. This time I got to see 10 Faberge eggs. I've never seen so many there before as some are usually on exhibit elsewhere.
On Tuesday I went to the Moscow Zoo. I found most of the animals to be housed in adequate surroundings, and they seemed well cared for. One unusual aspect was that some animals, such as the camels, were within reach. In fact, I saw a lot of people feeding various animals, a definite no-no. There is also a small aquarium at the zoo, for which you need to buy a separate ticket. I really enjoyed looking at the tropical fish, and there are some bats in there, too.
After the zoo I hopped back onto the Metro and stopped at various stations to take pictures. My favorite station was Novoslobodskaya as it has stained glass panels. I also visited a supermarket and bought chocolate and cigars to take home, as well as bread and chesse so I could make myself some cheese sandwiches!
My last day of adventure was exhausting. My first stop was the Romanov Chambers. I am so glad I returned there as it is a fascinating museum. I highly recommend it. On my way to the Metro, I got turned around and "discovered" a beautiful church, the Church of the Trinity in Nikitinov. What a gem!
Then I went to Kolomenskoe Park, another place I highly recommend. There I saw the beautiful Church of the Ascension, as well as Peter the Great's wooden house built in 1702. It was moved from Arkhangelsk to Kolomenskoe in 1934. I toured the inside, and the ladies working there were dressed in period costume.
My last stop was the Tretyakov Gallery. Hard to believe I had never been there before, but I hadn't. I had trouble finding it after I exited the Metro. Had to ask twice for directions! It was definitely worth it, though!
As far as the Maxima Zarya Hotel goes, I liked staying there. See my separate review on this site. The weather? It was mainly in the 50's, and I was lucky that it usually rained late at night or early in the morning. The people? I found the people to be really friendly. Oh, sure, there was a couple of surly ones, but most were very nice. Traveling alone? I am 56 years old and never felt I was in any danger, even when I had to make the 10-minute walk at night from the Metro station to my hotel. No one paid me any attention, to tell the truth! Shopping? I never made it to Izmaylovo, but I bought most of my souvenirs at the store attached to the State History Museum. I also bought some inexpensive Christmas ornaments at the Armoury. I checked the prices at the souvenir store on the side of GUM and found them to be expensive.
Let's see, what else... Going through customs was a breeze, and so was exchanging money at the bank. I had trouble calling my husband, so I rented a lap top. Make sure you know how to switch from Russian to English in order to log on. I definitely needed help with that! A computer whiz I am not!
I didn't get to visit all the places I wanted to, so I guess that means I will have to return!!
