Beautiful natures from Russia :)

Have you ever wondered if the sun or the moon at the other part of the world is rounder, sweeter, much more beautiful, or all almost the same?

When I was studying in Beijing many years back, I thought the moon in China is much rounder and brighter during the full moon or mid-Autumn Festival. Because this legend was coming from this country, so obviously, I expected that the moon there would be much better than what we had in Indonesia.

On that night of celebration, many friends of mine and myself were having picnic, basking ourselves under the moon on the basketball field, waiting for the much expected bright moon illuminating the sky. But to my disappointment, it wasn't as great as what I expected. Hehehe...

Here, I share with you the beauty of the natures, from Russia with love.... :)

Sunrise from my hotel's window - Moscow 8th September 2014

I was amazed when I opened the curtain on the first morning of my visit in Moscow

The sun was rising beautifully right in front of this very window of my room

What a joy behold filled my heart with blessing and grateful feeling

I knew that I was home of this earth, wherever I was

Sunlight from above the high sky brighten up the whole city - Moscow, 8th September 2014

 

Once I finished my breakfast and went back into my room,

the above was what I saw

Wow!!!

I could hardly say any word

I was numb, couldn't believe my own sight

What a lovely day we'd have!!!

Beautiful and bright!!! Moscow, 8th September 2014

I turned my head to the right...

And that's what I found!

It reminded me of the movies that I usually watched

It was alive, right in front of me

Again, I was stunned with the beautiful view

Couldn't believe that it was real!

Sunset in Suzdal, Russia - 8th September 2014

We left to Suzdal by bus

It was quite a long journey

But it was all worth it

Their houses were beautiful, so did the natures surrounded it

By the time we reached this lovely village

We were welcomed by the beautiful sunset above

Full moon on Mid-Autumn Festival in Suzdal, Russia - 8th September 2014

Right after finished our dinner, the moonlight came by

It was the awaiting mid-Autumn Festival!!

The weather outside was terribly cold!!!

And it was wise for us to stay warm inside this wooden cottage

My parents came over to our room

with moon cakes, beer, and other snacks

We had this little family celebration

in this lovely night

Good morning!! Dobroye Utro!!! - Greetings by flying birds from Suzdal, Russia :)

We woke up an hour earlier than the wake-up call

Just to see the beautiful sunrise from this lovely place

We had a leisurely walk around the area

and found many beautiful natures around us

Beautiful flowers in Suzdal, Russia :)

 The above flowers were one of them

The morning dews were stuck to each flowers

The colors were amazingly refreshing, dazzling, and bright!!!

Do you feel freshen up now??

Have a wonderful week ahead everyone!!! From Suzdal, Russia, with lots of love..... :)

 With my picture above, 

indeed, you feel freshen now, don't you???

Hahahaha....

Here I want to wish all of you

Blessed with good health, wealth, luck

Life full of joy and happiness :)

Have a great week ahead and be happy always!!! ^^

From Russia with Love

So, here we come to the last day of our trip in Russia. Yesterday we experienced the coolest temperature here. Thank Buddha! Because the rest of our stay it was all sunny and warm with temperature between 14°C to 22°C :)

Beautiful Moscow view at night :)

We had drizzling but luckily at night time it was on and off so that we could enjoy the night view of Moscow by taking the private cruise.

Night Cruise in Moscow

The view was superb, the cruise was pretty new and elegant, and we had a great and relaxing time there. It finalized our journey with bitter sweet memories. It was bitter because I lost one of my diamond earrings, one of my Mom's wedding gift :(

But nothing lasts forever and so does my holiday. It's going to over soon. Wish us luck for a safe and pleasant journey back home! Thank you SB, my parents, everyone for everything! We all enjoyed our journey and life to the fullest! :)

From Russia with Love

Magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Savior at night - Moscow, Russia

As the cruise flowed through the Moskva River, I sat on the upper deck enjoying the beautiful night scene of Moscow city in front of me, alone. No moon, and no stars. It was all covered up with the thick dark cloud. There was no light too. All was dark, except the lights from the buildings and bridges that we passed by.

Beautiful bridge along Moskva River :)

The wind blew sturdily. Bbbrrrr...... It was cold. And I was frozen severely!

I tightened up the black and white scarf that secured my neck, and tidied up my two-layer sweater cum wind-breaker, making sure that no wind would blow inside me, and keeping me all comfortable and warm.

Mulled wine to warm up the coldest night in Russia :)

I sipped in the local Russian concoction, which they called Mulled wine, a mixture of red wine, honey, fruits and spices. It was hot and immediately warmed my body up.

Kremlin's night view - Simply awesome!!!

I closed my eyes and my ears were listening to the Matt Monroe's song that I downloaded before my departure. Its lyrics were so smooth and delicate. but bright. It said like this:

From Russia with love I fly to you
Much wiser since my good-bye to you
I've traveled the world to learn I must return 

from Russia with love

I've seen places, faces and smiled for a moment
But oh, you haunted me so
Still my tongue tied young pride
Would not let my love 

for you show 

in case you'd say no

What a night!!! Such a relaxing 'me alone' time...  

As usual, my mind started wandering around while listening to this song. Suddenly, I heard a loud song and a bright light illuminated the sky far in front of me. Oh dear... There were fireworks!!!

Beautiful fireworks illuminated the sky along Moskva River :)

Wooohhooooo!!!! Wasn't it my lucky day??

Awesome!!! - Fireworks along Moskva River :)

It played continuously for some time. I was asking myself, "Am I dreaming???" and started pinching myself over my arm, Ouch!!! That's pain!!! Then I realized that I wasn't dreaming... This beautiful night, this trip in Russia with my parents and niece, this splendid city of Moscow, St. Petersburg, the beautiful village of Suzdal, it was all real!!! Right in front of me!!! 

Silently, I cited a prayer inside my heart. I was feeling blessed, and grateful for all things that happened to me. Although it was all seemed like a dream now, it was all the wonderful memories that remain deep in my heart now. Thank you SB! Thank you, thank you, and thank you for everything!!! Russia, thank you for giving me a chance to see... Hope to visit you again, perhaps in my next life ;)

The last fireworks waved and farewell Good-Bye...

To Russia I flew but there and then
I suddenly knew you'd care again
My running around 

is through
I fly to you from Russia with love

Russian Circus at Dubrovka Theater, Moscow

It's been the seventh day my stay here in Russia. It's been tiring but full of enjoyment. I'd been wanting to write blog and share more experience with you. There were many things I wanted to share. Just like this evening. We went to see Circus performance at the Dubrovka Theater.

Dubrovka Theater, Moscow

We reached late. It supposed to start at 6pm. But we only reached 20 minutes later due to late serving during our dinner. So it'd been started halfway when we got our seat. We sat at top floor, at the sixth rows from the front side.

You know, when I knew that Circus was inside the itinerary, I was all exciting and looking forward to watch it. Because it's been so long that I'd watched my last Circus. In fact, I still remembered the first Circus that I watched during my childhood time.

I was six years old. My mother brought me to the Circus that was held not too far from where we lived. I went with some other people too, most probably my sisters.  It was held inside the big round red color tent. Surrounded it, there were many other colorful tents, just like what it's always drawn in many children's story book.

We sat quite in front row but a bit in the left side on a wooden bench, which was getting higher at the back of it. I was so happy watching the animals, like elephants, lions, parrots, and was awed with performances like tightrope walkers, acrobats, trapeze acts, uni-cyclist, and most importantly, the clown. They put the net under the tightrope and trapeze's performances and we were wondering if anyone would fall on it and yes, they did (perhaps some of them were still quite amateur ba!)

And tonight, when the clown appeared and entertained the audience, it really brought me back to the nostalgic moments. I heard laughter from children who were sitting all around me. They were enjoying it, laughing innocently, and incessantly, just like me. All this feeling suddenly brought me into tears, tears of happiness.

During half-an-hour break time, I asked my niece out from the theater. We saw from above the activities provided for the children. Singing, dancing, standing in line just like a choo-choo train, and so on. Many people were queuing for the Popcorn, candy stalls, toys stalls, and so on.

Russian Circus in Dubrovka Theater, Moscow

I saw parents (with more Mums) brought their lovely daughters and sons out to watch this Circus. They were sitting down. They all bought some snacks, pastries, and beverages from the nearby food stall and sat together enjoying their meals.

Children enjoyed their time - Russian Circus

I could feel so much love in this building. Kids were wearing their best dress. Girl's hair was braided beautifully by their mothers. The boys were dressed handsomely by their mothers again. I saw their laughter, their joy. Their smiles, their happiness. And I was telling myself how lucky they were by having such lovely parents who brought them to this Circus, just like me, many many many years back and I felt very grateful to my parents, who had given me chances to watch it not only once, but even up to this age, when I've become a mother, and parents myself. I was even thinking if my son would still enjoying this kind of performance at this age, and whether it would leave him with beautiful memory as I had.

Kids looked at their reflections on distorted mirror :) (Photo courtesy of Landa)

There were many distorted mirrors outside the theater too and many people from any ages would love to stand up in front of it and take a look how funny they had become. Children were again laughing and playing with their friend around in front of those mirrors.

The show was last for 2 hours and 45 minutes (with break in between). It wasn't same as what I watched before as they didn't show us elephants, or lions as this was held inside the building and not inside the tents. They also showed lots of performance using skating. Not using ice though, but something like wax floor. Perhaps it's because they often do ice skating during winter times and it has been part of their culture.

The trapeze show has been modernized though using the glow-in-the-dark costume also the ropes. There were many singers too, singing live on the stage. Except for the hot room (no air-con inside), the Circus was quite enjoyable for me. I love the clown the most.

Some of the shows - Russian Circus

When it's over, we exited happily from the building. However, on our way to the bus, we saw the name list carved on the wall with many toys put below it. Only then I knew that twelve years ago, on 23rd October, something happened in that very place. They called it 2002 Nord Ost siege.

It was a tragedy that had made hundred over people, as hostages, including many children (the main audience of the Circus), pregnant women, etc., died after few days' siege. You can read more about it here. My heart wrenched after heard about it and I was a bit guilty for being too happy inside that theater just hours ago. I deeply pray here for those victims, wishing them to rest their soul in peace and to be born in a much better world. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Ha здоровье! Read: Nah zda rovh yeh or Cheers in Russian :)

My happy face - Russian Vodka Museum, St Petersburg :)

When I knew that there would be a visit to Russian Vodka Museum, I was like.... ehem... very very very happy la! :D Because Russian is very very famous for its Vodka!

And I was very happy when knowing that we would visit it today, the first day of our stay in St Petersburg.

Right after lunch, we were walking there. It's such a right time because we couldn't drink with an empty stomach no?

Some exhibition stuffs inside the Russian Vodka Museum

There was small exhibition inside, such as the collection of the cork for the bottle, various bottle type, various brands, and so on.

We were welcomed by the beautiful Russian lady. She explained to us the history of the Vodka and what it was made from, etc.

Well, for me, that wasn't very important though, but there were few interesting facts that I learned about the Vodka and its development in Russia.

Guess what is this! Russian Vodka Museum collection :)

For example, look the above picture carefully and guess what is the Vodka above usually used by? Or what kind of profession make use such form of Vodka?

Russian Vodka Museum collection

Second question: To whom do you think that these bottles of Vodka made or given to?

Dadadada.... I'll give you some time to think about it and I'll give you the answer at the end of this post ;)

At the end of tour, we entered the Bar, which was displaying over 200 types of Vodka.

Inside the room, there were six standing tables. They had prepared three different types of Vodka for us to try and there were three different types of snacks to accompany the Vodka with.

Three different brands of  Vodka for us to try - Russian Vodka Museum

Honestly, I had no idea how to spell their names since they were all written in Russian language. I only knew that the middle one was the one gave the warmth effect on the throat (stronger feeling).

I took a piece of black rye bread topped with smoked salmon. I took my first shot of the strongest one. I held the shot glass on my hand, took a deep breath, and said, "Nah zda rovh yeh!" which means "Cheers!" :)

In Russia you could only drink it plain, with no orange juice or Redbull, and had it at one shot. You had to taste it from the strongest one to the less strong ones. Interesting, wasn't it? ^^

Russian Vodka Museum

Many people took one type each. Some took one or two shots only, and some didn't take any single shot. End up, there were still many shot available. I took 5 shot of it before leaving the place (while my father wasn't around) hehehe... and I was happily continuing the rest of my day here :D

Oh man, I wish I could stay longer or otherwise visit the place everyday! :D Anyway, it really made my day! I love Russia! ^^

Answers :
1. The Vodka in paste form was made for Russian Astronout who went to space as water form wasn’t allowed there. 
2. These bottles were given to those who quit drinking Vodka as a celebration :D

First time painting the Matryoshka Russian dolls :)

On our way to Suzdal, we were brought to the Matryoshka Doll Factory. It's located hidden from the main road and the buildings looked quite old. It's said that the factory has been there for 66 years. Wow!

Shaping the wooden base for the Matryoshka Russian dolls

This gentleman above showed us how he shaped the wooden doll using the special machine. It required skill and experience to be able to shape it nicely and comfortably. When asked, he said he started working when he was only 15 years old and has worked continuously for the past 45 years using that machine. No wonder it looked easy on him to shape those dolls. He even made the smallest doll shape as per shown on top of the palm above :)

After that we went inside the room where there were tables and chairs provided, plus some brushes, many basic water coloring, and a cup with water to wash the used brush on top of each table.

My niece and I with our creations: Before and After

Each of us was given a chance to paint our own Matryoshka dolls. And look at the above picture, before and after paint! Weren't the dolls beautiful??? But there were actually not our painting. Hahaha... They were actually the sample of the dolls that were put on the table, to give us inspiration and idea on how to draw and color it beautifully ;)

Seriously painting the colorful dolls

Well, it looked easy and simple, isn't it? But tell you, it wasn't easy at all to draw and paint a nice one.

They had few rules on which part to be colored first. The sequences were as per follow:
1. Sleeves part
2. The cloth part - front and back
3. The apron
4. The face area (eyes, eye brow, eye lashes, nose, lips, and hair)
5. The top part outside face and back side too
6. The base of the doll
7. Signature at the base of the doll

Everyone at different ages were having fun with it. We could paint it at any color that we like, any design that we want. Every doll became a very unique creation. While painting it we could hear funny funny comments from the other participants and made us laughing. It took us more than an hour to paint but yet, still not enough time to decorate now beautifully.



My own painted Matryoshka Doll :)

Lalalala.... That's my creation! :) It was just a simple and basic. I didn't have enough time to decorate more. I made agreement with my niece that this doll would be a gift for her upcoming birthday present, while her doll would be a gift for my upcoming Birthday present :) Our Birthday are just separated by 1 day.

She also hasn't finished hers and she wanted to continue it back home plus doing many repair jobs to make it much more beautiful. Well, let's see the final result when the time comes! ;)

The Manager cum owner explained the dolls to us translated by our guide, next to her :)

So, we were all having great time at the factory. And before we left, we shopped some of the doll products. Although the price set was slightly expensive, we were still buying one or two as a souvenir and after went through the painting workshop, we became appreciating the artist's effort in making beautiful dolls :)