SANATORIUM 'RUS' SOCHI 

The last time I was here, 28 years ago, was a different era in lots of respects. Sanatorium Lenin, as it was named back then, has been through many transformations like Russia it'self. Regardless of the history, what is constant is the inherent magic of this place the likes of which I have never encountered anywhere. Never imaging over the years that I would ever return, doing so and sharing this place with Ngaire, is a whole new surreal unique and once in a life time experience. 

               EVENINGS HAVE THEIR OWN MAGIC

Oh and I forgot to mention. Look who stowed away!

                                              PIE BEAR

      GORKY PARK, KREMLIN and misc. June 2-5

Gorky Park is one of my favourite places to spend time, next to Collingwood having a win at the 'G'.
It's origins go back to the 1700's but the Parks present birth dates to 1928. Soviet Avant-Garde architect Konstantin Melinkov planned the parks construction with the amalgamation of various surrounding gardens and expansion of the site to 120 ha. M A Gorky (Maxim) 1868-1936, socialist writer and activist, had the Park named in his honour in 1932.

The Moscow Kremlin is one of a dozen or more city Kremlins in Russia. Construction of Kremlins goes back centuries and were fortified fortresses within a city as a last line of defence to protect the city authority. Obviously, Moscow's is the most well known.

Kremlin entrance (one of)

Kremlin guards (Similar to Buck. Palace)

Kremlin Cathedrals

Kremlin Bell Tower

Kremlin Bell that never rang. Bell tower burnt to ground when bell was ready to be installed. Heat mixed with water to put out fire did the damage. Over 100 t, 26 of silver and 72 of gold going back to 1700's. Biggest in world.

Everything is big. Over 40 t and 5,5 metres long 890 mm calibre and never fired a shot in anger

Misc. is a generic term allowing me to post anything else I feel like.

Central Moscow

Arbat St

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Smolenskaya.

GUM department store complex next to Red Square  

Central Moscow

Wide thoroughfares

Central Moscow

Along the Moscow River

Central Moscow

Arbat St