Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

We really enjoyed the masterpieces in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts! 1. Old Woman by Rembrandt; 2. Le Grenouilere by Renior; 3. The Nude by Renior; 4. Bathers by Matisse; 5. Plowed Field by Van Gogh; 6. The Museum; 7. Treasure from Troy = gold headress; 8. Assyrian Relief; 9. Portrait from Fayoum in Egypt.

The Kremlin

The Kremlin is such an imposing fortess - especially when viewed from the Moscow River. We took a river cruise today on the Moscow River - the lifeblood of the city.

Darrell meets Vladimir Putin

What a coincidence - we ran into Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, in Red Square. He shook Darrell's hand and took a few moments to chat!

St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square

Quite easily the most recognizable church in Russia - St. Basil's is located in Red Square. The beautifully colored onion domes are unique to the Russian Orthodox Church. We were able to also go inside where restorers are working on the frescoes. This church is an important symbol of Russia.

Angels

These angels were in Novodevichiy Convent - with very beautiful grounds and historic buildings.

Red Square and Kremlin

August 30, 2009 Moscow – Full Day – The heart of Moscow and the seat of power of the nation – The Kremlin and Red Square: Started the day with a gallop through Alexander Gardens – trying to beat the lines to enter the Kremlin to tour the Armory! Security check points are necessary. Many, many guards/soldiers – but surprisingly – no AK47’s.
The Kremlin – a triangle shape fortress dating back to 1100’s along the banks of the Moscova River – huge walls and towers surround the fortress. The Kermlin is the seat of the office of the President – Dimity Medvedev. Patriarch Palace is where visiting dignitaries and ambassador meetings are held.
The Armory – holds the treasures of the country – many dating to the Romonav’s. The most important treasures are the Diamond Fund with the Crown Jewels. The Orlov Diamond is the largest. Also the Fabrege’ eggs, carriages, coronation dresses, armor, many gold pieces are here.
Many churches in Cathedral Square. We toured the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Cathedral of the Archangel. Both churches had walls in front of the altar with iconostasis – individual paintings (icons) of important church and local people. These icons are incredibly beautiful – with beautiful golden frames.
Red Square – is impressive – huge! Adjacent to the Kremlin Wall with Lenin’s Tomb along side – is used for military and civic functions. Part of the square is gated in preparation for a huge celebration on September 5th.
The most recognizable building in Moscow is St. Basil’s Cathedral – with its colorful onion domes. It is spectacular!
What a coincidence – we run into Valdimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia in Red Square. Darrell was lucky enough to shake his hand!

Novodevichiy Convent

Novodevichiy Convent and bell tower. Our Lady of Smolensk Cathedral.
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People Watching at Red Square

Moscow at Red Square. The skies are clearing. Nice evening!

Darrell enjoying a cigar and a Stella Artois! Slept well on the flight. Should be ready to go in the morning! Time is 9 hours forward -so it is 6 pm here and 9 am in Jackson.
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Bonvoyage! Flying out from Atlanta to Moscow

Bonvoyage! We are on the airplane in Atlanta about to fly to Moscow, Russia. Here's to you!
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Packing

The suitcases are out, lists are made and the packing is getting started. I'm not sure all of this "stuff" will fit into the suitcases!

Travel Itinerary

27-Aug -Memphis to Atlanta. Fly to Moscow
28-Aug - arrive - Moscow, Russia
29-Aug - Moscow
30-Aug - Moscow
31-Aug - Moscow
1-Sep - Moscow
2-Sep - Moscow - Fly to Stockholm
3-Sep - Stockholm, Sweden
4-Sep - Stockholm
5-Sep - Stockholm - Board Oceania Regatta
6-Sep - Stockholm
7-Sep - Tallinn, Estonia
8-Sep - St. Petersburg, Russia
9-Sep - St. Petersburg
10-Sep - St. Petersburg
11-Sep - Helenski, Finland
12-Sep - Sail Baltic Sea
13-Sep - Gdansk, Poland
14-Sep - Copenhagen, Denmark
15-Sep - Berlin (Rostock), Germany
16-Sep - Kiel Canal Transit
17-Sep - Amstredam, Netherlands
18-Sep - Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium
19-Sep - London (Dover), England
20-Sep - Le Havre, France (D Day Beaches)
21-Sep - Saint Malo, France(Mont St. Michel)
22-Sep - Sail Bay of Biscay
23-Sep - Bordeaux, France
24-Sep - Bordeaux, France
25-Sep - Biarritz (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) France/ Bilbao, Spain
26-Sep - Sail Bay of Biscay
27-Sep - Oporto, Portugal
28-Sep - Lisbon, Portugal
29-Sep - Seville (Cadiz) Spain
30-Sep - Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
1-Oct - Valencia, Spain
2-Oct - Barcelona, Spain
3-Oct - Provence (Marseille) France
4-Oct - La Spezia (Cinque-Terre), Italy
5-Oct - Civitavecchia, Italy/Disembark Ship - drive to Siena, Italy
6-Oct - Sienna, Italy - Volterra
7-Oct - Sienna, Italy- Cortona/Montelpunciano
8-Oct - Sienna, Italy - Train to Florence
9-Oct - Sienna, Italy - Chianti Region
10-Oct -Drive to Rome
11-Oct - Rome, Italy
12-Oct - Rome
13-Oct - Rome - Fly to Atlanta/Memphis - Home Sweet Home

Trip Itinerary

We will visit 14 countries in Europe over 49 days!  Our trip is part land/hotels and part cruise.  (This is similar to our trip to Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East in 2008 while traveling 50 days.)  We will be seeing most of these cities for the first time with only a few exceptions.  Darrell has spent some time in Stockholm, Sweden as our son-in-law Lars Wennborg is from Stockholm.  We will get to visit with Lars family while in Stockholm and are looking forward to seeing them. 

Bonvoyage Party -August 18, 2009 at Amy Dietrich's home

Thank you so much Amy Dietrich!! What a wonderful Bonvoyage Party - the food was great! The menu selections featuring the countries we will visit were really neat and creative! It makes us even more excited about our upcoming trip! We love all our wonderful friends who joined us for the evening!!