9288 Kilometres to go

9288 Km to Moscow

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We arrived at Vladivostok International Airport, definately not of the Kuala Lumpur, Kansai or for that matter Brisbane standard. After landing we taxied to the terminal, which was like going along a dirt track with thick forest on both sides. David and Toni had been befriended by a businessman on the plane (a director of a shipping line earning an obscene amount of money each year) and offered to drive us to our hotel. Well if David could get passed imigration control, that was. Toni and I had no problem, but David's visa had been translated wrong. OH NO!! What if? Thank goodness it didn't come to that.

Poor Vladivostok, the forgotten Siberian city of the Far East. The city has so much potential, a beautiful location, but needs all the Russian millionaires to put their money into development (The Russian government promises but doesn't deliver). But all in all, Toni liked the city and looked past its neglect. Our big train adventure was about to begin.

Right next to the window

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We were pleasantly surprised that our group consisted of 4, Paddy (66) from Melbourne, Booby (62) from Sydney, and Toni and David (I didn't count - but I made up for it - had the best seat in the cabin - right next to the window). Our lovely guide Sveta (22) came from Angarask near Irkutsk in Central Siberia.

We were all excited to do this trip, and we couldn't wait for the train to leave the platform. And it did - right on time - did you know that it is electrified all the way to Moscow? Well you do now!! We settled into the routine of watching beautiful scenery going by and the clickety-clack, clickety-clack. The 4 berth cabin was actually quite comfortable, we were given linen, a pillow and a blanket, and we had already stocked up with supplies from a very busy supermarket - so all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the vodka, bread and cheese and the ever changing Siberian countryside. Birch forest, village, pine forest, village, birch forest, village, fast flowing rivers, lots of passing trains (usually oil tankers with more than 50 carriages).