Trans-Siberian 14: Kazan to Moscow

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other..." - Abraham Lincoln

(The end of our Trans-Siberian train ride)

Day 14: May 15, Wednesday
Train Route: Kazan to Moscow (12 hrs)
Hotel: Izmailovo Hotel Moscow

We slept lightly on board the premium double decker train. After solat subuh we packed our bags and got ready to disembark.

(The sun is peeping through cloudy sky)

(Flatforms for double-decker trains)

(The Kazansky Railway Station)

Arrived at Moscow Train Station about 0600 hrs. Olga, our guide in moscow, greeted us at the flatform. Checked in and had breakfast at the Ismailova Beta Hotel, Moscow where we will be spending a night here.

(Simple breakfast for hungry tummies)

At 1000 hrs we started the Moscow Tour by walking a short distance from our hotel to Ismailova Bazaar Market for some souvenirs. At the Bazaar Market, goods are laid out on boxes, chairs, or right there on the ground, and it all resembles a Turkish or Egyptian grand bazaar. 

(Ismailova Bazaar Market)

(Rare Soviet anti-aircraft guns 52K on display) 

This is the largest flea market in Moscow. All kinds of folk crafts, lace, Pavlovo Posad shawls, ceramics, amber, crystal, national costumes, and even military uniforms are available here.

(Typical Russian souvenirs, Matryoshka dolls and easter eggs)

(Bear and wolves heads and furs)

(Military and pilot uniforms)

Before noon, the van sent us to Arbat Street where we had set lunch of mutton curry and prawn curry at an Indian Curry House, a well adorned restaurant. This restaurant is reputed to be the best decorated Indian Restaurant in Moscow.

(Beautifully decorated Indian Restaurant)

(Spacious dining area)

Arbat Street is a pedestrian street about a kilometer long in the historical centre of Moscow. Originally the street formed part of an important trade-route and was home to many craftsmen. We spent about an hour strolling along Arbat Street.

(Jay walking at Arbat Street)

(I Love Arbat)

(Statues and monuments)

(Street arts at Arbat Street)

Next attraction was the Red Square where St Basilica Cathedral, Stalin Mausoleum and GUM Department Store are located.

(The entrance to the Red Square)

(Kilometer 0 Moscow)

The GUM Department Store is an elegant department store. In its historical past, this department store was a bazaar style market. The GUM ice cream is favourite among visitors here. There were long queues at almost all the ice cream outlets in this. After a long wait, we had the best pistachio and Vanilla ice-cream in town.

(A group photo at the Red Square)

(The girls at the GUM Department Store)

(A long queue for the viral ice-cream)

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed or more commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is an Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow. It is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia. Now a museum, it is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. Its completion, with its colors, was made in 1683.

(St. Basil Cathedral)

(Frontal view)

By 1700 hrs we were back in the hotel and had an early dinner of dendeng nyet berapi, telur rebus and sambal kacang ikan bilis with rice. Had Hazelnut Coffee to complete the meal.

(Our dinner for tonight)

Feeling groggy, slept early after swallowing a zyrtec pill.

👈👈Day 13: Kazan to Moscow, Russia🚂

Day 15: Moscow - Doha ✈️👉👉