St. Petersburg and Moscow
It's 4 am. The sun has just risen, and I'm trying to stretch myself on the tiny bunk bed.
That was the first night on the train and I woke up about 4 times during the night. Not sure if it was the some sudden movement of the train which woke me up, or a lack of the movement.. But still I'd say I slept quite good for the first time!
Few things we learned from our first Russian night train was..
-The lower bed looks a lot more comfortable, mainly because you're able to sit there, you have a bigger part of the window for the views, you have a table and well making the bed is a lot easier when you're not sitting on the bed while doing it (good that we have already booked all of our tickets to upper bed's :D).
-Have everything you need for the train on a separate back, so when you're coming to the train you don't need to look for the things you need while everybody are pushing behind you to enter the train.
-LEARN SOME RUSSIAN! At least a bunch of words that you can say and understand. We have two very sweet lady's below who are offering us tea and candy and having a half an hour conversation with them with the knowledge of maybe 5 words in Russia, really made me wish I knew a bit more! (But hey it's never late to learn).
We left yesterday evening from Moscow and our train should be arriving to Kazan at 7.40. Until that I shall enjoy my instant coffee and write something about our trip so far!
A week ago we left from sunny Helsinki and arrived to what we released a quite rainy and windy St.Petersburg! The clothes I had thought to wear on Tibet, got to be useful already on the first stop.
We were staying in a airbnb apartment close to the city center.
In St. Petersburg we got to enjoy the beautiful architecture.
As it was quite rainy and cold, we were looking for things to do inside. One of the main attractions being the Hermitage museum and we were glad to realize that the first Thursday of every month is free of charge. The museum was huge and the building was full of stunning rooms. The museum is so big, that if you were to look at each painting for about 3 seconds, you'd need to spend about tree months inside there! (For us the 5 hours was enough for now).
After that we found a very different kind of place; an upsidedown house
Altogether four nights and four days in St. Petersburg cost me: 120€ (which was a bit over our budget, but hopefully we'll balance that later on)
Next destination Moscow!
We arrived around 17.00 to Moscow and went straight from the train station to meet our couchsurfing host at her apartment. She lived with her husband and 3 year old girl an a 14th floor apartment in a beautiful building. Soon after arriving there she told us that we should go and see the sunset from their rooftop. We had to squeeze through this gate to be able to go there, but the view was definitely worth it!
Because of the world cup, she had to travel to somewhere for few days, but she was very kind to let us stay at their apartment anyway. Every time I use couchsurfing I just fall in love it more! Not one of the experiences is comparable to other!
We had read about this place called Izmailovo Kremlin (the name Kremlin means fortress, so there are many of them all around, not just the Moscow Kremlin which most of us know). This Kremlin was not very old, but was partly build to reflect the old way of building in Russia (especially the wooden parts)
On the weekends they also have a huge flea market at Izmailovo.
The flea market was full of antique, art, war things and well you name it!
Now I know where I'll come to shop, if and when I decide to settle down somewhere!
I have to say I think this was my favourite place on this trip, so far!
On the next day we had booked a free walking tour at the city center. It was a great way to hear some interesting facts about Moscow.
On the last day in Moscow we still had the day to spend, since our train left in the evening. It was a sunny day (with of course few rains in between). We decided to go the Gorky park, which was really near where we were staying. Strolling around the park and enjoying the sun was great.
After the park we accidentally bumped in to a Banksy exhibition and just had to go and check it out.
Altogether 3 nights in Moscow cost me: 56,62€
So that leads us back to the train now.. It's already 6.00 and I'm thinking about getting another cup of coffee. It's still sunny outside and we're getting ready for a new day full of adventures! Kazan here we come!
P.s on the previous post, I shared some tips on how to plan a similar trip, how much you would need money for it and some other useful information.
That was the first night on the train and I woke up about 4 times during the night. Not sure if it was the some sudden movement of the train which woke me up, or a lack of the movement.. But still I'd say I slept quite good for the first time!
 |
| Some views from the train |
Few things we learned from our first Russian night train was..
-The lower bed looks a lot more comfortable, mainly because you're able to sit there, you have a bigger part of the window for the views, you have a table and well making the bed is a lot easier when you're not sitting on the bed while doing it (good that we have already booked all of our tickets to upper bed's :D).
-Have everything you need for the train on a separate back, so when you're coming to the train you don't need to look for the things you need while everybody are pushing behind you to enter the train.
-LEARN SOME RUSSIAN! At least a bunch of words that you can say and understand. We have two very sweet lady's below who are offering us tea and candy and having a half an hour conversation with them with the knowledge of maybe 5 words in Russia, really made me wish I knew a bit more! (But hey it's never late to learn).
 |
| Our tiny bed |
 |
| Eating with our neighbours downstairs |
 |
| How the train looks from inside |
 |
| Trains kitchen aka hot water |
We left yesterday evening from Moscow and our train should be arriving to Kazan at 7.40. Until that I shall enjoy my instant coffee and write something about our trip so far!
A week ago we left from sunny Helsinki and arrived to what we released a quite rainy and windy St.Petersburg! The clothes I had thought to wear on Tibet, got to be useful already on the first stop.
We were staying in a airbnb apartment close to the city center.
In St. Petersburg we got to enjoy the beautiful architecture.
 |
| Church of the Savior on Blood |
 |
| Smolny Cathedral |
 |
| The views from Smolny Cathedral |
As it was quite rainy and cold, we were looking for things to do inside. One of the main attractions being the Hermitage museum and we were glad to realize that the first Thursday of every month is free of charge. The museum was huge and the building was full of stunning rooms. The museum is so big, that if you were to look at each painting for about 3 seconds, you'd need to spend about tree months inside there! (For us the 5 hours was enough for now).
 |
| Would love to get a room like this someday! |
After that we found a very different kind of place; an upsidedown house
Altogether four nights and four days in St. Petersburg cost me: 120€ (which was a bit over our budget, but hopefully we'll balance that later on)
Next destination Moscow!
We arrived around 17.00 to Moscow and went straight from the train station to meet our couchsurfing host at her apartment. She lived with her husband and 3 year old girl an a 14th floor apartment in a beautiful building. Soon after arriving there she told us that we should go and see the sunset from their rooftop. We had to squeeze through this gate to be able to go there, but the view was definitely worth it!
Because of the world cup, she had to travel to somewhere for few days, but she was very kind to let us stay at their apartment anyway. Every time I use couchsurfing I just fall in love it more! Not one of the experiences is comparable to other!
We had read about this place called Izmailovo Kremlin (the name Kremlin means fortress, so there are many of them all around, not just the Moscow Kremlin which most of us know). This Kremlin was not very old, but was partly build to reflect the old way of building in Russia (especially the wooden parts)
 |
| It's like a fairy tale land! |
The flea market was full of antique, art, war things and well you name it!
Now I know where I'll come to shop, if and when I decide to settle down somewhere!
I have to say I think this was my favourite place on this trip, so far!
On the next day we had booked a free walking tour at the city center. It was a great way to hear some interesting facts about Moscow.
On the last day in Moscow we still had the day to spend, since our train left in the evening. It was a sunny day (with of course few rains in between). We decided to go the Gorky park, which was really near where we were staying. Strolling around the park and enjoying the sun was great.
After the park we accidentally bumped in to a Banksy exhibition and just had to go and check it out.
Altogether 3 nights in Moscow cost me: 56,62€
So that leads us back to the train now.. It's already 6.00 and I'm thinking about getting another cup of coffee. It's still sunny outside and we're getting ready for a new day full of adventures! Kazan here we come!
P.s on the previous post, I shared some tips on how to plan a similar trip, how much you would need money for it and some other useful information.
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