Vladivostock

Vladivostok impressed us as being a run-down and neglected outpost of Russia with many buildings, roads and footpaths in need of repair. Is this a consequence of a loss of the importance the city had as a military base, following the end of the Cold War? But the railway is maintained and busy, this being the main Russian port to the Pacific.

Remnants of the Pacific Fleet are tied up ("moth-balled") in the harbour and neither viewing nor photographing is restricted. All was relaxed on the Sunday for the Orthodox Easter Day. There was a party atmosphere in the city square, with various groups performing on a stage and some spontaneous dancing to the music.

Vladivostok Railway Station is 9288 km and 7 time zones from (hours ahead of) Moscow. The railway is electrified to Moscow and beyond, so that our only travel with a diesel-electric was after we crossed the border into Finland.

Views of little villages from the train. For most in this remote region the main contact with the outside world is by rail because roads are poor and in places "controlled by a local mafia". There seems to be an abundance of fire wood as well as of quality timber for export as seen on a constant stream of trains travelling to Vladivostok.

Where there were stops of 20 minutes at larger towns local vendors had set up stalls selling food and drinks. We bought ice-cream, biscuits, chocolate, boiled potatoes with garlic, bread and beer - all very satisfactory. Our conductress allowed us to put our bottle of beer in her refrigerator.

At one stop the train in the opposite direction from Moscow also arrived so that there was much activity at the stalls.

Return

(1) Vladivostok  Photos from the 3 day train trip to Irkutsk

(2) Irkutsk  Eastern Siberia city close to Lake Baikal and exile location for dissidents, criminals

(3) Novosibirsk  The largest city in Siberia with a famous Opera House

(4) Ekaterinburg  Site of the execution of the royal family in 1918 and of the "exile" of Marshall Zhukov in 1946.

(5) Moscow  The usual tourist attractions.

(6) St Petersburg  and Petrodvorets