December 15, 2011

• Moscow 27 Jul 2011

  I have been waiting for this flight since I joined Cathay. After almost 5 years, I was finally flying to Moscow. For this first visit, I chose red square, St. Basil on day 1 and Zagorsk/Sergiyev Posad on day 2 to go.

  我在莫斯科變成了聾啞人士
  在莫斯科，很多人一聽到你滿口英文就生厭。他們聽不懂，不會說，也沒有耐性跟你厮磨。最後，你只會非常徬惶的對著那些一個英文字母都沒有的路牌發愁。所以，我很快就放棄了語言，全程指手劃腳，指著旅遊資料的俄文，甚至拿紙筆把東西畫出來（羅宋湯是個成功例子）。雖然這樣表達自己真的很累，但我卻發掘出這事的樂趣，發現我比自己想像的更有創意。這個經驗是我在莫斯科最大的得著，也解釋了為甚麼背包旅行(尤其是獨行）這件事讓我那麼著迷，我總是一次又一次的發現新的事和新的自己。最後千辛萬苦的找對了火車月台，向著目的地進發的滿足感，足夠我好好回味。

  In Moscow, people hate to hear English. They do not speak, do not understand and definitely do not have the patience to help you. So, instead of using my mouth, I used body language, pointed at the Russian in the guide book and even drew things out to express myself. Although it was very tiring to do so, I found a lot of fun in it. I am way more creative than I thought I am. This is the most memorable experience in my Moscow visit and it explained why am I so addicted in backpack travel (especially alone). I always discover something new, and most of all, a new Winky. When I finally arrived at the right platform and headed toward my destination, I felt so satisfied.

  莫斯科的地鐵站應該是全世界最美的
  我一直以香港的地鐵系統為傲，尤其是見識過差點讓我窒息的Tube，髒髒的Subway和佈滿報紙的Metro，我對港鐵加倍珍惜。但相比起莫斯科的地鐵站，港鐵站實在太醜了。莫斯科的每個地鐵站都有華麗的壁畫，細緻的雕刻，在黃黃的吊燈下，顯得像皇宮一樣。雖然我經常在地鐵站迷路，但也因此見到很多不同的裝飾。你說，一天到晚都是旅遊車帶著你到處走多沒意思呢？

  I am always proud of Hong Kong MTR, especially after I visited other underground, e.g. Tube, Subway and Metro in other countries, I appreciate MTR even more. However, compared with the metro station at Moscow, Hong Kong one is very ugly. Every station at Moscow is decorated with wall paintings, carving and symbols of the communist party. They are all gorgeous under the lamp. Although I was lost in the stations for few times, I got to see different kind of decoration. See? I could never get to see these if I travel with the tour coach. 

  Day 1

  Red Square
  The name of red square is not from its brick color or communist meaning, but meaning “beautiful”. Indeed, it is a very beautiful square with all the historical buildings around it and the most beautiful one is for sure St. Basil. It looks like a candy castle in Fair Tale.

  

  St.Basil

  Most of the beautiful architectures got a sad story behind. To make sure there is no church as beautiful as St.Basil, the king make the Architect blind. It is sick, but it is just a story may be.

  

  

  

  After visiting St. Basil, I realized that I did not have enough time to visit Kremlin. So, I just wander around the red square and it was a very beautiful day to do so.

  

  

  

  

  I felt very hungry after the long walk, so I found a restaurant and tried to order a Russian Borscht. I did not know how to call that and the waiters did not speak English, so I drew the soup out with red color. It works!!!

  It is completely different from the one I have tried in Hong Kong. The Russian Borscht was super super tasty. I love the soft cheese on it as it just matches so well.

  

  After the soup, I slowly walked to the harbor to take the sightseeing boat.

  How can I not buying it? You know me, earring addict!

  

  They are perfect for this seat!

  

  The weather was getting worse and worse while I was on the boat.

  

  

  

  Finally I was back to the pier and it rains like cats and dogs. It was impossible for me to walk as I did not have an umbrella with me (the sun was shining so hard just a while ago at the red square).

  I was totally wet when I made my way back to the hotel, but I had an excellent day.

  

  Day 2

  Zagorsk/ Serguyev Posad

  It was not easy to find the train station which supposed to connect with the metro station. After using a lot of body language and imagination, I finally found the train station. Then I had a really hard time on finding the right platform. No one could help me as they did not understand English. Finally, 2 lady soldiers brought me with them to board the right train and reminded me to get off.

  

  Serguyev Posad is one of the 7 Golden ring. It took around 2 hours to get there from Moscow.

  Sergeev Posad is the former religious capital of Russia and offers beautifully restored architecture, as well as a taste of what smaller towns in Russia are like. 

  History:
  In the mid-14th century, a young, pious man named Sergius wandered into the woods north of Moscow to begin a life of prayer and religious contemplation.  He was soon visited by groups of travelers seeking wisdom and miracles from him, which Sergius was soon known for giving freely.  Monks from the Orthodox Church soon heard of him and traveled to study with him.  The monks and Sergius founded a monastery that would become, perhaps, the most important in all of Russia. 

  How to Get There: 

  • Trains leave regularly (about one per hour) from the Yaroslavski Railroad Station (located at the Komsomolskaya Metro stop). 
  • Busses leave regularly from VDNH-VVC Bus Station (located at VDNH Metro stop).  Look for busses with “s.p.” (с.п.) written in the window someplace.   

  The market outside the monastery is very famous with its touristic goods. I heard that it is cheaper than the one in Moscow, so I bought a lot. hahahaha!

  

  

  The Monastery
  When I was in Moscow, I fell in love with the onion-top churches. St.Basil was very beautiful with its colourful paint. In Sergesy Posad, the golden and blue with stars onion-top were very eye-catching as well. Together with other towers and buildings in the monastery, it was great to see the harmony of it.

  Ladies supposed to have a scarf on their head to enter the monastery as a respect.

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

  

  I was walking around this old town after visiting the monastery and found some nice old houses.

  

  

  I tried to treasure my chance on getting the Russian Borscht. So, my second one is here!

  

  Slowly walked my way back to the train station and got on the train to Moscow.

  

  Lastly, I would like to show you all how beautiful are the decoration of the metro station in Moscow!

  

  

  

  

  Moscow is very unique and I cant wait to visit St.Petersburg and travel with Trans-Siberian Railway one day.

  • 8:17 am
  • 1 Comment