July 10th

B - reporting

Had delicious breakfast of yoghurt in our room, then fired up Google Translate to say 'may we stay another night' and sorted that out with Reception. Today is Museum Day!

We went to the Art Museum, where we had to wear slippers over our shoes so slid from room to room, some very good 17th to 19th century paintings and also some Icons. Then the War Museum, which was excellent. It covered the first settlement/conqest of Khabarovsk from the Manchurians in 1858, WW1, the Revolution (which did not end till 1922 in these parts), WWII, Afghanistan, Chechnya and all manner of other conflicts. Plus loads of guns, missiles, swords and tanks.

It was really hot and humid today, thunder rolling as we had a cheese and something pannini for lunch, then fat heavy but warm drops falling as we made our way to the Natural History Museum. Millions of stuffed animals, arranged very realistically (I really wanted to stroke them); displays on the indigenous peoples of this area and also a display on Communism. It was all really interesting, and because we could not read any of the huge amounts of text we were able to enjoy the images and move round quite quickly.

Then just returned to our hotel to sort out GPS stuff, dined on black bread, ham and cheese (delicious) and hope to make an early start tomorrow.

Is there a single place on earth that doesn't have one?

In Russia slides are heavy duty!

One owner, last used Afghanistan.

Every girl should have a MIG!

Big and scary if you where on the receiving end.

Used to be pointed at Milton Keynes!

When 4x4 just wont cut it!

Costa del Khabarovsk

The old and the new (the church is 2004!)