Planned to spend the morning at the Modern Russian History museum, and as it was within walking distance we left in order to get there around opening time. The museum has around 30 rooms, tracking Russian history from around 1900 to the present. Lots of exhibits, photos, models and information covering the assassination of the Tsar, the revolution, the civil war (did you know that there was a red army, a white army, and a green army?), the participation in both world wars, Lenin, Stalin, the cold war, the nuclear and space races, perestroika and Gorbachev through to Putin and winning the next winter olympics. In theory, every room had an explanation brochure in English available, but in practice they were only available up until the Cold War. We think that the modern ones are probably being 'revised'.
Morning tea at McCafe (the concept originated in Melbourne), then a walk in the balmy sunshine through the Hermitage Gardens, a large children's park, and several more large gardens. In our quest to experience only authentic cuisine, we stopped for lunch at the American Bar and Grill (ok so I lied about being authentic), a read in the sun, and back to our apartment late in the afternoon. All on foot!
Finally my visa registration came though. A bit of a worry as there are big fines if you don't register your presence in the city within the prescribed time. I don't think I've described our apartment. It's great. A full double bedroom for us, one of three in the apartment, a shared bathroom and a fully appointed kitchen, so we are cooking each night to save money. A computer is provided, and free wi-fi is on offer if you are carrying a laptop like us. Its 2 stations on the metro from the Kremlin, but actually its not that far if you feel like walking it.
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