Touring Moscow

We arranged  to go on a two and a half hour free historical tour of Moscow this morning. It was excellent! It covered from the early days as a walled fortress at the crutch of two rivers in the middle of nowhere to a trading centre to eventually the capital and the centre of power.

Romanoff House

 Classical music is piped throughout 

Outdoor Amphitheatre

This new Zaryade park in the centre of Moscow combines the four zones of Russia - tundra, steppe, forest and wetlands.

 There is a massive bridge to nowhere that juts out over the Moscow river, with spectacular views.

  There are restaurants, museums and a new Philharmonic building is just being finished.

Back side of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, commonly called St. Basil's Cathedral

One of the "Seven Sisters" now a pricey apartment block

Red Square -site of many festivals and military displays. FIFA Fan Zone on left and red Kremlin brick walls on right

Red is not referring to the colour of the bricks, the colour of the blood that has been spilled, or the political associations. "Red" in old Russian meant beautiful.

Worker on side of the War of 1812 museum

 Guard from Kremlin division
at the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier 

Symbol of equality -
all 5 points are equi-distant from centre

 Children's Department Store

Ball Room

View from the top of Children's Store

Isobel and Renzie in Russian

One litre!

After the tour and shopping we had some delicious Russian lunch featuring salads, pickled herring and blueberry juice. We rested at the Starbucks close to the hotel then went to the German-style Paulaner Pub for some atmosphere to watch the Russia vs Uruguay game.