Oz's Travels

Oz in the Moscow Metro

OzsTravels Moscow, Russia October 19, 2019October 19, 2019Moscow, Moscow Metro, Moscow Russia 2 Comments

When in Moscow you need to check out the Moscow Metro. It is considered one of the most attractive, if not the most attractive, underground train networks in the world.

The first line, a 11km 13 station line, was opened in 1935. As of 2019 the it has evolved into a 393km 263 station network that is apparently the busiest in Europe.

What makes it worth exploring is the themed stations, a number have monuments to different parts of Russia and Russian life.

Ploshchad Revolyutsii

The first station we visited was Ploshchad Revolyutsii which is the Moscow Metro station in Red Square. This is one of the more popular stations for due to the 76 bronze sculptures that represent the Russian People.

Each sculpture has a lucky spot. For luck you rub the nose of the dog of Border Guard with his Dog sculpture. To improve your finances, rub the Rooster’s comb, if your love life is in strife rub the shoe of the school girl.

Have no idea why these became urban myths, saw many people nonchalantly rubbing the various statues, for some it looked like a habit for some of the regular commuters.

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Lost in Moscow Russia

OzsTravels Moscow, Russia October 12, 2019October 12, 2019Lost in Moscow, Moscow, Moscow Russia, Oz's Travels, Red Square, Russia 2 Comments

As a part of my Siberian Trek I had one full day in Moscow so it was time to get Lost in Moscow Russia. Definitely not enough time. Another problem was that it was raining, not exactly good weather to explore and take pics.

Still the rain was not going to stop me from exploring Moscow.

Pamyatnik Marshalu G.k. Zhukovu

This is a monument to Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov, Hero of the Soviet Union, he was the Soviet General who accepted Germany’s surrender at the end of World War II.

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002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day3

OzsTravels Russia, Trans Siberian Railway September 1, 2019September 2, 2019002ЩА, 002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok, Russia, Russian Railways, Trans Siberia, Trans Siberian Railway 0 Comment

002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day3 was my 7th and last full day (and bit) on board the Trans Siberian Railway.

002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok, Russia, Russian Railways, Oz's Siberian Trek, Siberia, Siberian Trek, Trans Siberian Railway,

Vladivostok is 7 hours ahead of Moscow so 002ЩА arrived, on time, at 7:05am local, which is 12:05 Moscow time. Coast to coast in Australia there is only 2 hours difference between the East and West Coast, helps to put into perspective the size of Russia.

Day 3 was from Svobodnyy to Vladivostok a distance of 1525 km. It was overcast with a few specs of blue, no rain. My first Siberian Trek is nearly over.

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002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day2

OzsTravels Russia, Trans Siberian Railway August 29, 2019August 29, 2019002ЩА, 002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok, Russia, Russian Railways, Trans Siberia, Trans Siberian Railway 4 Comments

002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day2 was a another grey and overcast day with a bit of rain. Good train weather.

The Toilet

I know what everyone is waiting to see, the 1st class toilet……

A lot cleaner and more “spacious” than the one on board 070Ч . There was also a lot less people traffic, so this is how the toilet stayed for the entire trip. The attendants were very active when comes to cleaning as well. No shower so still had to do the bird bath daily though.

Dinning Car

The Dinning Car on 002ЩА was more modern, but one big different is no wine or spirits were sold. Found that to be weird.

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002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day1

OzsTravels Russia, Trans Siberian Railway August 24, 2019002ЩА, 002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok, Oz's Siberian Trek, Russia, Russian Railways, Trans Siberia, Trans Siberian Railway 2 Comments

002ЩА Irkutsk to Vladivostok Day1 was my first day back on a train as a part of my Siberian Trek after four very enjoyable days in Irkutsk and on Olkhon Island in Lake Baikal.

002ЩА

The lower the train number the more luxury, 001M is the same train in the opposite direction. 002ЩА is one of the luxury trains of Russian Railways, my cabin is in 1st Class.

This was definitely a step up from the 070Ч from Moscow to Irkutsk. My initial impression was that I should have booked this for the entire trip. Just felt more comfortable as I walked on, not really sure why, possibly the attendants were more experienced.

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Trans Siberian Railway Day 4

OzsTravels Places, Russia, Trans Siberian Railway August 21, 2019August 24, 2019070Ч, 070Ч Moscow to Irkutsk, Russia, Russian Railways, Siberia, Train 070ЧА, Trans Siberia, Trans Siberian Railway, Trans Siberian Railway Day 4 5 Comments

Trans Siberian Railway Day 4 on board the 070Ч Moscow to Irkutsk train, Tyazhin to Irkutsk was about 1473 kms in length. My last day on board 070Ч as a part of my Siberian Trek