Vladimir and first train passage to Ekaterinburg

After we left Suzdal by coach we arrived into Vladimir, 45 mins later, our guide Elena came with us to give us the city tour.

Valdimir is part of the golden ring of the ancient Russian cities and is visited often by tourists, it is home to several electrical and chemical factories.

We commenced our tour at the golden gate and red church, then moved onto the park andDemetrius  Cathederal.

We walked up the 65 steps to view a diorama of the tartars and Mongols at war.

Diorama

Red church.

St Demetrius catheradal  1193-1197

Alexander the Great 

DH got his photo opportunity with his mammoth.

Gardens coming into bloom.

Assumption catheradal 1157

I love Vladimir, part of our group.

Time to board our train for one night and one day.

Our epic journey, as posted on the map of Russia.

On arrival into Yekaterinburg late pm after one night and day on the train, we checked into our hotel and will do city tour tomorrow.

Yekaterinburg is the main industrial centre of the Ural Mountains, population of 1,400,000, it is Russia's fourth largest city. 

The city was founded in 1723 and named after Catherine, the wife of Peter the great.

Boris Yelstin was born here as well. Kosta Tziu was also born here. (Boxer)

We have travelled 1818kms so far.

Lenin

Monumental to the Afgan war

Monument to where the metal factory used to be.

A statue dedicated to literature, books were very cheap in Russia.

Our guide Natalia was a delight, after our tour we had Yeltsin dumplings for lunch and explored Yekaterinburg, more to follow.

Transiberian railway journey.

When we arrived into Moscow, we joined our tour group and for the next 17days we will be touring Russia by doing the Transiberian rail journey. In this time, over 17days, we will have multiple stops and overnight stays in different parts of Russia.

Our journey begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok, we will cover 9,288kms and cross 7 time zones.

Our first 290kms was covered by coach to Suzdal, where we spent the day and night.

Charming park with wood carvings in Suzdal

Charming houses, all wooden, some of these are B&B

Suzdal has a population of 9,000 and is only 9 sq metres and has over 1,000,000 visitors a year.

The town has 30 churches, 3 Cathederals and 9 monasteries.

Eternal flame from Victory day.

View over Suzdal

We visited the wooden village, which is a museum, this is the summer church.

Winter church

Inside.

There are quilters out there somewhere.

Great photo, we walked across this lake to visit the Kremlin in Suzdal.

Original golden doors, from the 13th century 

Inside

Part of our group, 11 in total.

Our hotel

Great wood carvings

And yes I found fabric.

My purchase.

The group had a great afternoon bonding, tomorrow we depart for Vladimir.

Do a city tour, spend the day, then get on the train.

Next post will be Vladimir.