Russia 1976
- Sue Clayton
- May 31, 2025
- 6 min read
Khabarovsk 17 Aug 1976
Slept quite well despite stops and starts during the night. Lovely scenery on the way, very green and peaceful. We arrived in Khabarovsk about 11am and were taken to our hotel, where we washed and sorted ourselves out before being taken to another hotel for lunch. Then we were taken on a sight-seeing tour of Khabarovsk, which included the Amur River and the Museum. A very ordinary town, but lots of trees everywhere which is nice. Back to our hotel then to another hotel for dinner. A group of us walked back; Ian went with Martin and Ron, and I managed to pick up a Russian student who wanted to talk in English for an hour or so. Back to our hotel, Amur Hotel, about 9.30pm.
Town Square, Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk - Irkutsk (Trans-Siberian train) 18 Aug 1976
After a good night's sleep we were taken to the restaurant for breakfast, then a drive around the city and to the airport. We were back at the restaurant for an early lunch and then taken to the train station. We shared a cabin again with Doug and Debbie. The cabins are very comfortable, though rather small, but the washrooms are grotty. Will be glad to get to a nice shower. Meals are usually pretty good and though they are not big meals, I feel myself getting fat as we're not getting any exercise except for a short walk at the stations when the train stops for long enough. We played cards, read and talked to pass the time for the 3 days. We passed through lovely scenery. On the last night we had champagne with dinner and had a little party.
Irkutsk 21 Aug 1976
The train arrived at Irkutsk approx. 7.30am and we were taken by bus to the Angara Hotel, which was a very welcome change from the train. Had a shower and washed clothes, then went down to breakfast. We had about 3 hours to spend sorting and writing letter etc. before lunch and then we were taken on a sightseeing tour of Irkutsk, with a terrific guide who knew all her facts and figures. This is a lovely city with its trees and parks, the Angara River running through it and its picturesque wooden buildings. After dinner we went for a walk for an hour or so to see a bit more, and felt we could spend a lot more time here looking around.
Lake Baikal 22 Aug 1976
Breakfast is at 9.30am and then at 10am we joined our guide again for a bus trip to Lake Baikal. First we stopped at a museum and were told all the facts about the lake - its fish, birds and wild animals. The drive was very pleasant, mainly forest and a couple of villages, though the road wasn't too good. The lake lived up to expectations, blue and clear and it was a glorious day. We had lunch at a tourist hotel and had till about 4.30pm to explore the village. Really beautiful scenery. After the bus trip back everyone was tired. I went to dinner alone, then went for a short walk before bed.
Lake Baikal
Irkutsk to Moscow on the Mongolian Train 23 Aug 1976
Breakfast at 9am and then we all walked a couple of blocks to an Art Gallery. A lady showed us around and gave a commentary in Russian, and our guide Vera translated, which I found fascinating. We walked back to the hotel for lunch and then we were taken by bus to Irkutsk Railway Station. We have been unable to get a booking on the Trans-Siberian, so we are now on the Mongolian train. We had to wait over two hours as all east bound trains were delayed. We are sharing our room with an two English girls. It seems like back to normal with all the rocking around. Travelling on the train for 2 days. Everything gets dirty so quickly, no matter how many times you wash your hands they still seem dirty. I read two books in two days, played some cards, talked a lot, ate and slept. Tuesday was a birthday for Trevor and Shirley (two of the group) - we shouted them champagne and Don sketched a couple of birthday cards. At one of the stations we bought a birthday "cake" (a round loaf of raisin bread with icing on top) and we stuck matches and lifesavers on the top. We had a fairly late night that night. Each day we put our watches back 2 hours so they seemed very long days.
Moscow 26 Aug 1976
We had caviar for breakfast! The time between then and lunch I spend reading and had a snooze. After lunch we played cards for quite a while then we all spent our time watching the suburbs of Moscow go by. We arrived at the central station about 6.30pm and were taken to Hotel Intourist which is just off Red Square. We had a lovely dinner - more caviar again, red this time. Then we went for a walk over to the Square and around St Basil's Cathedral, and stood in front of Lenin's tomb. An awesome feeling to be here. Had a drink in the hotel bar with some of the others then came upstairs and to bed about 11pm.
Red Square, Moscow
Moscow 27 Aug 1976
After breakfast we were taken by our new guide, Lana, on a tour of The Kremlin which included the Armoury Chamber, which is a fantastic museum of articles from before the revolution. We were taken back to the hotel for lunch and at 2.30pm went on the sight-seeing tour of Moscow, which was very interesting but unfortunately rather rushed. When we arrived back at the hotel we were given about 30 minutes rest and then we were taken to the oldest monastery (The Novospassky Monastery) in Moscow where we were shown a collection of icons and then ushered into the catherdral to listen to a beautiful choir, men and women. Afterwards it was back to the hotel for another lovely meal and then to bed.
Kremlin Tour
Moscow 28 Aug 1976
We missed breakfast as we had our times mixed up but luckily caught the 9am tour to the Exhibition of Economic Achievement. This is a recreational area covering 500 acres and we only saw a small portion. The highlights were the Space Pavillion, and a film shown on a circular screen. We were driven back to the hotel for lunch and then we spent the afternoon at our leisure rather than go on a tour. We went back to Red Square and took a look through GUM Department Store. Went to the Berioska Store (a shop that sold unique goods for foreign currency only) at the Hotel Rossiya and bought a hat and shawl. We went back to the hotel for dinner and then we went to the National Hotel for drinks with Martin, Ron and Rex, as it was raining.
Part of the tour group at the Friendship Fountain, Exjbition of Economic Achievement
Space Pavilion, Exhibition of Economic Achievement
Moscow 29 Aug 1976
After breakfast we went on a tour of the Moscow Metro Stations, which was not all what we expected. The stations are beautifully decorated and they are all different - and so big and clean. After riding about for an hour and a half we got off and the bus took us to the Berioska at the Rossiya Hotel. I bought an amber pendant and Ian bought 5 fur hats! (presents). Walked back to the hotel and had a last look at Red Square. We were given a picnic lunch which we ate aboard the train. After an 8 hour trip we arrived in Leningrad at 10pm and we were taken to the European Hotel (Hotel Evropeiskaya), given a lovely meal, and then we went to bed.
The Moscow Metro
Leningrad 30 Aug 1976
After breakfast we met our guide Nadia who took us on a general sight-seeing tour of Leningrad. It's a very impressive city. After looking around the architectural centre, the Hermitage, St Isaacs Cathedral which is the 3rd biggest in the world, we went to the cemetery (The Piskariovskoye Memorial Cemetery) where all those who died in WWII are buried. We went back to the hotel for lunch and then were taken on a tour of Peter and Paul Fortress where Leningrad was founded. All the Tsars are buried in the cathedral, the Mint is here and we went through the former political prison. Before dinner I had a look around the shops and after we were taken to the station to catch the night train to Helsinki.
St Peter & Paul Cathedral, St Isaac's Cathedral, The Winter Palace
Smolny Convent, The Piskariovskoye Memorial Cemetery,Peter and Paul Fortress, The River Neva
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