I promised once the pics from Russia, but let it be till I remembered on it few days ago by a talk with a friend. Unfortunately lots of last year´ pics went lost in autumn, because my PC broke down. However I could recover few pics from september 2005, but just from St-Petersburg. Additionally there are some photos from Moscow this year, not that much, not that characteristic for this city, but however take a look.

Peter the Great Monument (the founder of the city) at the Neva river

... And behind him the Isaakiy cathedrale

View from the Issakiy top

Typical russian onion domes in Peterhof, the summer residence of zars

It is said, Peterhof was built as an imitation of Versaille. To my mind - sorry, Remy:D - neither Versaille nor any another residence parks are to just be compared with the majestic Peterhof

Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo

And Amber Room, which was reconstructed by Russians and Germans (sorry for the quality of the pics - its forbidden to take pictures in this room)

Moscow is definately one of the craziest cities, I´ve ever experienced. It´s just... controversial. I was born and grew up here, it´s my home and I love it above all. Even after 25 years I don´t stop wondering, and there are a lot of places here which remained undiscovered for me. Moscow is a fashion podium, full of arrogant and selfish people, Moscow can be superficial. Moscow is not Russia. Its a metropole, incredibly expensive metropole, which is on the move ALL the time.
But there is another face of this incredible city, away from tourist routes. With a smaller museums on the rivers, breathtaking cathedrales and smaller churches between the houses. Walkings on the promenade with a sweet smell of chocolade by the biggest chocolate factory in the country. Trips with the boot through the city. Fantastic repertoire in the bigger and smaller theatres and music halls. Crazy and funny cafes and caffee-houses for almost no money, with crazy drinks and crazy rituals. By the way - forget the prejudices about wodka drunk russians - at least in Moscow. You will hardly find the people who drink it, and if yes - then mixed in funny drinks (or you ever tried out wassabi wodka?;)) ) And of course warm and best private parties behind the closed doors.

However it is said "It is not easy to win a Russian as a friend, but if you do - he stays it forever". If you do, we´re yours.

Next to the Red Square...

.. a huge shopping arcade, so infront of it - different heroes of russian fairytales

And the Red square itself

Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazin (or just GUM), one of the oldest stores in Moscow direct on the Red Square - trap for the foreign tourists;))

Inside

Landmark of Moscow - Wasilliy-Blazhenniy-Cathedrale

One of the numerous churches on the streets