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5 Days in Moscow with an iphone 5 and a Moscow minx.
A Moscow minx with a furry hat
Moscow is the northernmost and coldest megacity on Earth, I am so glad I was in this amazing city recently. These images were all taken on an iphone; so not the most creative, but one of the best trips I have ever had. That is for sure.
Eating and Drinking; my specialist topic!
If you love food and drink from around the world, then Moscow is an interesting if not rather ugly experience to tick off on your menu-finder!
It's fair to say that this is not France or Italy; granted. It is not even Croatia or Lapland, it is something I have not experienced before, the three key words being expensive, inedible and entertaining....if nothing else!
Popped out for a drink, got a glass of freezing neat vodka and some raw meat. yummy.
If the local offerings are not to your taste...
The best foodBeautifully presented food chiller cabinet in a museum!Nice bit iof raw fish in a cafe near the Museum of Art
There are always the tried and tested global favourites of the rich and famous.......not.
Moscow StarbucksAt least with Moscow McDonalds, you know what you are going to get; even if you can't understand the bill.
Moscow - the northernmost and coldest megacity on Earth
By its territorial expansion on 1 July 2012 southwest into the Moscow Oblast, the capital increased its area 2.5 times; from about 1,000 square kilometers (390 sq mi) up to 2,511 square kilometers (970 sq mi), and gained an additional population of 233,000 people.[15][16]
Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia making it the world's most populated inland city. The city is well known for its unique architecture which consists of many different historic buildings such as Saint Basil's Cathedral with its brightly colored domes.
Red Square from inside St Basil'sSt Basils is amazing
With over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery, it is one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world, having the largest forest in an urban area within its borders—more than any other major city—even before its expansion in 2012. In the course of its history the city has served as the capital of a progression of states, from the medievalGrand Duchy of Moscow and the subsequent Tsardom of Russia to the Soviet Union.
Museums are good - especially off the beaten track
House of Photographt was my favourite here, but also the Museum of Modern Art and various state owned historical/military museums are interesting and very cheap to visit.
Moscow House of PhotographyAwesome Photography Museum
Moscow is considered the center of Russian culture, having served as the home of prestigious Russian artists, scientists and sports figures during the course of its history and because of the presence of many different museums, academic and political institutions and theaters.
Museum of Modern Art - Obviously!MOMA MoscaMuseum of military things...
Moscow Museum of Art is a great place to spend the day.....
Moscow is also the seat of power of the Government of Russia, being the site of the Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is today the residence of the Russian president.
KGB Headquarters....The British Embassy
The Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square are also one of several World Heritage Sites in the city.
Lenin is inside here, it was his birthday so we missed him.Kremlin ArmouryWar monument outside Kremlin walls
Both chambers of the Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) also sit in the city.
The architecture is spectacular - as is the contrast between old and new.
Cathedrals within the Kremlin
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
According to Wikepedia, this Cathedral, on the northern bank of the Moskva River, a few blocks southwest of the Kremlin has an overall height of 103 metres (338 ft), and is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world.
The original 19th-Century church took more than 40 years to build, but was blown up in 1931 during the Communist rule of Joseph Stalin. The demolition was supposed to make way for a colossal Palace of the Soviets that was never built, so the church was reconstructed in the 1990s on the same site.
The original church was the scene of the 1882 world premiere of the famous 1812 Overtureby Tchaikovsky. The reconstructed church was the scene of the infamous 2012 performance by "Pussy Riot" protesting against Vladimir Putin.
A crazy culture
There is everything under the sun in Moscow - as you would expect from a city that is one of the largest and most infamous in the worldOld school Military History, MoscowRouble and Vodka still lifeGold beyond your wildest dreams in the Kremlin ArmourySay it with flowers in MoscowThe family wedding below was taking place one afternoon at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour these are my favourite picture of the entire trip; it sums up Moscow in so many ways.The wedding partyThe happiest day of their livesTowards the cathedraland off they go...The bride and groom stopped to have a drink, smoke and eat a hot dog purchased from a street vendor before moving into the Cathedral. This is Moscow!
I hope you enjoyed my little tour, I would love to return with my Leica to take some real photographs at some stage!