Got a taxi to the train station from the apartment arranged by Tatyana cost Roubles 220 if you do it from a rank it cost so much more. Apparently, there are about 6 train stations in St Petersburg and 9 in Moscow. Found out carriage first class. There is an over the head storage locker for the bags we had to take some stuff out to squeeze them in there and the stuff went under the seat bunk. Got ourselves organised for the 33 hour journey. The train departed on time, this is not a fast train as we took just under 5 hours from Moscow to St P on the fast train and this leg took 9 hours with a few stops and waiting for fast trains to pass us. There was fences on either side of the tracks from St P to Moscow makes you wonder what they trying to keep out as a lot is in the middle of nowhere?
Went down to the restaurant carriage there were a bunch of guys from Kazakhstan one guy spoke a little English asked where I was from,I told him NZ and they all looked at me as what the hell are you doing in Russia in the snow and cold, must be loco and we all laughed. We ordered a salmon salad which did not arrive we got the beef stew and roasted pork then later a soup bowl of potato bits of beef and tomatoes was placed in front of me which I did not order but I ate it as I was still hungry. Not cheap 1750 roubles. I went to get some bottled water, they had displayed with other soft drinks and juices. I was told they were all fake and they did not have any drinks except Tuborg and Stella Artois beer. Luckily, I had just over a litre of water in our compartment. We got to Moscow with a 28-minute stop so I found a kiosk on the platform bought 4 litres of water a sandwich, crisps and Bounties and Snickers.
When we left St P it was snowing and it has not stopped 09:30 the next day. There was more snow in Moscow than St P. Went to bed around midnight had a double sheet to slide into and a blanket and 2 pillows was very comfortable got up at 08:30 and it is still snowing and the scenery is wooded areas covered in snow and see some small groups of dachas some people are living in them as you can see a light or smoke coming from the chimney. Makes you think why live out here in the middle of nowhere in these harsh conditions?We have the communal toilet next to our compartment not the most inspiring place to contemplate. There is no water to wash your hands but they do supply toilet paper. Luckily, I bought some wet wipes.
Stopped at Kirov for 20 minutes there was a team of rail workers using long pinch bars chipping away the ice from all the brake pads.Went over a bridge and there was a lake covered in ice great for some photos except a bloody goods train came the other way and they are long trains. Svetlana came in to our compartment dressed to clean wearing yellow gloves took away the carpet and washed the floor and threw the carpet back on the wet floor.All Penny could say I need a coffee, Penny she is not dressed for serving coffee. Svetlana arrives back dressed as the hostess this time with a coffee but there is no milk now Penny is happy as long it has no sugar in it.Travelling this morning the main industry would have to be the rail line and timber there sure is a lot of trees.
Was not told about the clocks moving forward by 2 hours I had an inkling and the passage way clock said 22:10 and we were due at 22:30 in Perm it was a rapid get the bags and repack them. Got a taxi for 500 roubles fair enough price the driver found the apartment and he rang Max who met us at the door. Max showed us around the apartment and I asked him the way to get to Kungur Ice Caves 2 hours away plus to get us a taxi for when we leave at 05:00 on the 13th.
Maurice's Travel 