From Russia With Love

Hey! Long time no post! Well, not really, but as I've only been blogging for a few weeks and haven't written a post in over a week....it seems like a long time. Although this is a beauty blog, and I do have a few beauty posts lined up, I'd quite like to write a bit about my recent trip to Russia. I mentioned both on my last post and on my twitter [@missannaashlee] that I was spending a week in Moscow & St Petersburg, to improve my Russian, experience the culture and see the cities beautiful sights. I know this has nothing to do with my other beauty posts, and I do have some hauls to post about, but I thought it would be nice to share a few pictures of one of the best weeks of my life! Beauty posts will resume soon :)

Warning- there will be lot's of pictures [I took over 800 in just a week!]

We arrived in Moscow late afternoon local time [theres a 3 hour time difference from GMT; English time] on Sunday 21st October, at one of the cities 5 airports- Domodedovo.

Since we'd left at 3:30 am, I was relieved to arrive at the hotel after an hour journey through the Moscow rush hour. We were staying, whilst in Moscow, at the 'Cosmos Hotel' - a more than 2000 roomed Soviet building, built for the Moscow Olympic games during the USSR period. It was honestly massive!

Being on the 22nd floor meant we had this stunning view every evening.....

We spent 2 full days in Moscow and they were amazing! Some of what we saw:....

The lake that inspired Tschaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' with a nunnery in the background.

Moscow State University.....with a Snickers advert in front!

Russian McDonald's!

St Basils

Red Square at night

I have LOADS more pictures of Moscow, but if I post too many more I won't have time to show St Petersburg!

After spending a few days in Moscow, we took the overnight train to St Petersburg. I was surprised at how different the two cities were- St Petersburg was very calm and quite in comparison to the busy life of Moscow.

The Cruiser Aurora

Russian Folklore Show!

The Winter Palace

The Romanov's tombs

Russian Matrioshka, at the market...

I bought a HUGE amount of things back- the markets were amazing! I got sets of Matrioshka, Shapkas, Shot Glasses, T-shirts, Key rings....the list goes on! I was planning to blog about the souvenirs, but I've given most of the presents away now so that's a shame :(

I bought some Russian snacks home as well- chocolate, ''Barny'' cakes and loads of gum- they have so many flavours!

All in all, Russia was amazing. The markets, tourist sights, shopping centres were wonderful and I have so many memories of the week.

X