++ FABULOUS RUSSIA ++

++ Introduction & Briefing for RUSSIA++

This is the 3 May 2005 edition of this page, showing the report for this visit.

                          INTRODUCTION & BRIEFING

     The importance and significance of this trip was tied up with my 
life-long career. Being a Civil Servant and working for a series of 
Ministries on Western Defence, I was not previously allowed, in normal
 circumstances, to visit Eastern Block Countries. Having seen and 
heard much, over the decades, about the Eastern Block countries - 
that was "fine by me". I didn't want to go anyway!!

     If all that I read and saw was to be believed - then such a 
visit would obviously be a hassle, the place squalid and boring. 
Furthermore, it would be very cold, covered in snow, very left-wing 
politically, very atheistic (well THAT sounds good anyway!), very 
uniform and very dull. I was content NOT to go.

     However, when I was in my mid-fifties, tourist brochures of 
Russia made it look quite alright, interesting and culturally 
different and advanced. I latched on to the first of the brochures 
- and the "price was right" too. So only a little price to pay for 
the sight and experience of all those golden domes!! Can't be bad!!

     The next thing, having been attracted by the brochure - was to 
investigate the feasibility of my employers (HMG) recognising and 
approving such a holiday. This they did with pleasure, saying that 
since the "World-situation" has changed, it was now approved in 
principle - and even welcomed. I photo-copied the double-page of 
the holiday's planned itinerary for the 'Security Department' to be 
aware of where I was going - and what I was doing.

     Not only was this holiday going to reveal the beauty of the 
cities to me, it would also allow me to see the countryside too. 
Thus, I would be travelling on a river-cruise from Moscow to 
St Petersburg - not only rivers, but canals, lakes, reservoirs 
(very large), forests etc.. This was to be my preferred option for 
Moscow/St Petersburg - the other option being by overnight train. 
Both options offered three days in each of Moscow and St Petersburg 
- the main difference being in the transfer between them. Two weeks 
on a boat in scenic surroundings appealed to me more than a fast, 
dark dash through the night!!!