We had the hotel breakfast (which seemed the typical uninspiring repast that is the Russian norm) and have a quick stroll before we met our guide.
Yekaterinburg is probably a little bigger then Irkutsk, but it seems a more prosperous and engaging city (at least in the CBD). Streets are tree-lined and there are a number of small parks and other public spaces. Many attractive stone buildings of the 19th century remain and have often been re-purposed to new uses or otherwise integrated into the streetscape. There are fashionable shops and good pedestrianised areas, wih many theatres and opera and philharmonic halls.
We had lunch in a restuarant called USSR which was quite good - salad, soup and a beef main course in an attractive room.
We started the afternoon with a drive outside the city. The first stop was a monutment to local people who were killed in the time of Stalin - apparently 18,000 bodies were found at the site of this memorial. From there, a short drive took us to the mrker for the Asia-Europw border. This is apparently an obligatory stop for dignatories and for newly married couples - there were two wedding parties there in the short time we were there.
Back to town, we visited an icon gallery and travelled to a lookout at the top of a high CBD block. Overall, we had a very good look around the city and we think that the city is worth visiting.
Back to the hotel to find that our room wasn't cleaned (military efficiency??). While that was addressed, we headed to a pub for a couple of beers. We then had a Russian meal, after which we stopped by a wine store to get some provisions for the train tomorrow.
Yekaterinburg is probably a little bigger then Irkutsk, but it seems a more prosperous and engaging city (at least in the CBD). Streets are tree-lined and there are a number of small parks and other public spaces. Many attractive stone buildings of the 19th century remain and have often been re-purposed to new uses or otherwise integrated into the streetscape. There are fashionable shops and good pedestrianised areas, wih many theatres and opera and philharmonic halls.
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| Monument to Afganistan war dead |
Our guide, Galina, gave us an excellent overview of the city in a day. Firstly, we had walking tour of the city. This included the major civic faciities and dirrerent architectural styles of the city and some understanding of how Russians live here. The monument to the Afgnistan dead is an excellent and moving tribute. We also went t the church which has been erected to commerate the site of the deaths of the Romanovs, who are now viewed as saints and martyrs of the Russian Orthodox church.
We had lunch in a restuarant called USSR which was quite good - salad, soup and a beef main course in an attractive room.
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| At the Asia - Europe border |
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| Taking a view over Yekateringburg |
Back to the hotel to find that our room wasn't cleaned (military efficiency??). While that was addressed, we headed to a pub for a couple of beers. We then had a Russian meal, after which we stopped by a wine store to get some provisions for the train tomorrow.
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