Most populous federal subject of Russia

Woke up with a sore throat. In German they talk of 'Reisefieber' - travelling fever- but it looks I'll get away with a cold ;) On the plane to Moscow we can see that spring is not keeping up with us. Everything is covered in snow.

At Domodedovo airport we have to look a little harder to see where we are going because the arrival hall is hazy with cigarette smoke. Definitely new territory!

 

And finally Moscva, city of heroes

 Takes us 1 ½ hours to get to Moscow through the traffic. Enough time to pick up the Cyrillic alphabet by way of translating billboards advertising multinational brands. And to spot the first birches. And the first onion domes.

Eleonara, a friend of a friend of a friend, takes us to our accommodation for the night and then gives us a tour of 'her' Moscow. 

We get to admire the best view of the Kremlin at night ...

 

... and walk across Red Square.

 

It's freezing but beautiful.

Eleonora takes us to see the university building, which is one of Stalin's 'Seven Sisters' and we don't just get a great view over Moscow and the river but also a premiere sighting of a parked Hummer stretch limo with open doors, pumping music and beautiful people!