Back in the USSR!

After 22 hours of traveling, we are safe and sound in our Moscow hotel, the Metropol.

The hotel is beautiful - it is 115 years old, and is less than a block from Red Square. I can actually see the Kremlin from my room!

Despite some rain, our initial impressions of Moscow are favourable - the city seems clean and welcoming to tourists.

We are off for our first Russian meal - but first the lobby bar is calling. It hosted Lenin 100 years ago, so it should be good enough for us!

View from my room - Kremlin in the background.