So now, its time for Russia – the last country in Asia before we enter Europe through Latvia.

Day 57 & 58: Samara, Russia

686 km (426 miles) + Border crossing = A very long day!

Oh and it was a very very long day! We had started at 6 am and reached at 11 pm. After, we reached Samara, we had dinner with the Defence Attachee (Diplomatic Official) to the Indian Embassy of Russia.

The following day, we woke up to this view

 

Samara is beautiful. We went for a walk and here are some of the monuments we saw:

 

We went down to the beach by the river Volga. Yes, interesting, isn’t it – a sandy beach by the river.

There was lots happening along the beach – cyclists, skate-boarders, roller skaters.

But, what caught my attention were the hoverboarder’s. There were loads of them!

And then there were these electric mini cars that kids were driving around. And in the park, there was a parking area just for kids! How cool is that!

 

Also, there were gymnasts practising along the beach. Do watch this video:

 

Day 59: Penza, Russia

The rains for the day!

This photograph has been clicked by a really great photographer in our gang!

It sounds very repetitive – but, it was another long day; so, I just went into the bed and crashed.

 

Day 60 & 61: Moscow, Russia

Another early start to the day again. A 6 am start! We had a 642 km (398 miles) drive on not-so-great roads and we had to face Moscow. I say ‘we had face Moscow’ because the traffic in Moscow is awful. Luckily, we didn’t get stuck in traffic, otherwise it would have extended our journey by another 3 – 4 hours. Yes, apparently, the traffic in Moscow can be that bad!

The next day, we went sightseeing and oh! there was a lot to see!

We went to Kremlin (the fortress within the city) – the main reason why people come to Moscow!

Unfortunately, it was shut because of a festival. But atleast, we got to see it from outside.

This was the centre point of Russia:

This was the change of guards:

And a few more monuments on our way to lunch:

And this is the real story behind Moscow’s clean streets!

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Here is a pretty colourful mall

We ended up walking 7.9 km that day – there is definitely a lot to see in Moscow!

Day 62: Rezekne, Latvia

Yay!!! I have entered Europe! I am so happy! So close to meeting daddy and mummy and nushi (my best friend!)

A quick overnight halt at Rezekne and onwards to Lithuania. A late night, again! Looking forward to the break day – day after tomorrow!

 

Day 63 & 64: Vilnius, Lithuania

Day 63 was a very entertaining day! From a Bollywood music show to an Indian dinner….

to a small (not really!) accident with the car…

Here’s the whole story. I was in the back seat with Rina aunty (another person from the gang, who joined us for a few hours). Tai and Nana were in the front. We were all chatting and suddenly, there was a loud sound! Like a gun shot in a tunnel. All the glass shards came flying at the back. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Turns out, a massive stork was coming in for a landing and it’s timing wasn’t great! It landed on our windscreen, while we were going at 120 kmph. Sadly, the bird died. Nana had great control over the car and stopped the car gradually and  none of us were hurt. At the end of the day, everything was fine and the windscreen got fixed (with a lot of effort and after finding a local mechanic in Vilnius – or else, we could have been stuck for 8-10 days!).

And now for a nice relaxing day in Vilnius in a beautiful resort and some fun – ‘Qawwali night’ – a different form of asian songs!

Less than a week of the road trip left! Cant believe it! I’m so excited to meet all the people I have missed! but will also miss the people who I have had the trip with!

– Ninni

P.S.: I am fundraising for head and neck cancer rehabilitation and YOU can make a difference by donating on my Just Giving page. I have currently raised £2481.48 (until 28th May).

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