Russia, here we come.

After much planning over the last 12 months, we are finally on our way to Russia. Why Russia? Cam was turning 50, and we wanted to do something special. He wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian railway, but I didn't want to sit on a train for 3 weeks, so 3 weeks in Russia/Scandanavia was our compromise.

We are spending 4 days in Moscow, 4 in St Petersburg, 4 in Stockholm and the rest of the time in Copenhagen and we're really hoping we have good weather (top temperature we are expecting is about 20C, according to weather underground, so expectations are pretty high. Of course, being a girl, I started packing last Monday, whilst Cameron and Matthew only packed on the weekend. Most impressively though, our suitcases are all medium and small sizes, the heaviest of course being mine at 18kgs, well under the 30kg limit for Emirates, (leaving heaps of room for shopping).

After a busy morning vaccuuming, cleaning house, planting herbs, mulching the garden and spraying the aphids (and of course, coffee with Ann), we finally left Geraldton for Perth.

We dropped Misty off at Janet and Jason's for her holiday with Lucy, saw Mike and Lindy and then it was off to the airport for our 10.20 flight to Dubai. Despite Matt's friend Jasmine telling him our plane would crash, we made it safely thru to Dubai.

Of course, the first thing Cam did was checked out the new bmw.

I on the other side, went shopping. What fantastic displays they have. Had to look at this one twice, just to make sure it was a mannequin.

Then it was off for coffee and a muffin.

We'd booked Lingo Taxis to meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel, (1 hour) so that was very handy. Our driver, Armen, was very friendly and told us lots about life in Russia. We finally made it to the hotel (Assembly Nikitskaya), absolutely gorgeous, so very tired.

We wandered down the street to find the Bela Rus restaurant for dinner. Delicious potato pancakes, all varieties. (Pity I nearly fell asleep on the table.

Bedtime. Busy day tomorrow, we're going to the Kremlin and Red Square.