weekly photo challenge: containers
If you are following us on Instagram, you may have already seen the photo we are using for the Weekly Photo Challenge this week.
Having just spent a week in Russia, nothing says “containers” at the moment to us more than the famous babushka (matryoshka) dolls. Especially when ONE can contain so many smaller dolls.
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inside the world famous hermitage
To see every piece of artwork in the Hermitage in one visit is impossible. Apparently to look at every piece (of the 3 million collection) for 30 seconds each, would take up to 9 years. We did not have that much time on this trip!
Russian Empress Catherine the Great founded the Hermitage in 1764 when she purchased masterpieces from Western Europe. The museum has 4 of its 6 buildings open to the public; Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage and New Hermitage.
As we walk through the rooms and hallways, the opulent lifestyles of the Russian past smacks us in the face! But in saying that, the lavish and exquisite interior of the museum is the perfect home for the masterpieces.
Considering that we would not be able to see every single piece in our one visit, there are a few must-sees in the collection. And the beauty of what we saw is simply worth sharing. The first several are masterpieces of Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
Hermitage is closed on Mondays. It also can get very busy and we heard pickpockets use the opportunity to pounce so be sure to keep an eye closely on handbags and wallets. Also remember, backpacks are not allowed in the museum.
For photos of our trip to Russia, see our Facebook page.
Have you visited the Hermitage? What did you think?
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weekend walks: moscow’s metro stations
Although we were on the metro to get to the different stations, our weekend walk is taking you through some of Moscow’s most decorative metro stations.
Each one of the Metro stations is unique and grand in their own way, we just didn’t know where to look! There are statues, there are ornate ceilings, there are mosaic artworks, there are fancy light fixtures – Stalin’s vision of brilliance and radiance certainly was fulfilled! Each of the artwork represents different elements of the Soviet Union’s past.
The underground system opened in 1935. And really is an attraction in itself and worth witnessing. It left us in so much awe and gobsmacked!
The metro system is so efficient with trains arriving every minute (or so) during peak hour. Its cleanliness is also noticeable. There is no graffiti or rubbish anywhere! It certainly highlights that our train system in Sydney has room for improvement. Not that we are asking for marble or stain-glassed walls on the train platforms – just punctual and frequent trains 🙂
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packing principles: our core 4
In 3 sleeps, we will be travelling for about 3.5 months! The last time we were away for that long, was back in 2006. This time, we are 8 years “wiser”(??) and travelling with backpacks. We have packed often for our travels but this time it’s different!
Packing what we need into backpacks seems almost impossible as we stare at our mountain of things to bring and the size of the backpacks. How to pack when travelling for several months? How to fit everything we need/want? Our walking boots for the Camino alone already take up HALF the pack.
And yes, we know… we should lay everything we want to take and then leave behind half! It goes something like that, right?
After packing for this trip, we have concluded that these would have to be our 4 core packing principles.
#1: If the item is not a MUST, it can probably be purchased along the way.
Items of “MUST” will be different for everybody but may include medicines, contact lens, at least a few pairs of underwear….
#2: Use packing cells!
They keep your clothes contained inside your luggage/backpacks. You won’t find that after getting off a flight, your clothes are in a jumbled heap.
#3: Make sure you pack at least one change of clothes including underwear on your carry-on.
If you are flying, it comes highly recommended to do this. Situations where you wish you had a spare change of clothes at hand include:
- bags going on their own vacations the minute they were put on that conveyor belt at airport check-in;
- you being stranded at an airport due to flight delays/cancellations and having to stay overnight but your bags are still checked-in;
- during transit being caught in the rain running from the tarmac or between terminals
These are possible as these are actual scenarios which our friends have experienced. In all scenarios, even just a fresh set of underwear can make the world of difference.
#4: If travelling with a significant other, make sure you split your clothes between the two cases.
This will be a life-saviour should one bag go astray. This is where packing tip #2 is helpful with packing cells to keep clothes separate.
Here is David’s pack with half of Le’s stuff inside!
So we are finally packed! This is the FIRST time we are travelling with backpacks – we will let you know at the end of it, how it all goes.
So long cold, wintery Sydney!
It is now official, we have been farewelled! Our families threw us a farewell party: a Christmas in July (with a lit fireplace, leg of ham and roast turkey). It was so wonderful getting both families together so we could just enjoy one another’s company before we head off.
wise monkeys abroad 