Tuesday May 10 - Moscow

Breakfast once again was included at the hotel. Then we strolled down to Red Square, what a difference from yesterday, as there were only tourists wandering around and it was only around 9:30am. Some of the decorations on the buildings as we walked down the street.

The plan was to visit the Kremlin but it was still closed as many VIPs from the ceremonies were still in attendance. This worked out well as the Kremlin was part of tomorrow's city tour provided by the river cruise.

Arrived early at Red Square (it's not red and it's not square!). It was much easier to enjoy the vast cobblestone plaza that is surrounded by historical monuments and architectural marvels without yesterday's crowds.. Took a walk around the square, window shopping at the State Department Store GUM, and ogling the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral. Once again visited the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but without yesterday's crowds.

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We couldn't visit Lenin’s mausoleum as it was still off limits and behind the scaffolding from yesterday's parade set-up.

So we strolled back to the hotel to check out and wait for our car to take us to the river cruise ship.

It was only 11:30 when we arrived at the boat, one of the first onto the ship. Our room is the smallest we've ever stayed in, but once you unpack you realize that it will work. Beds are hard but bearable. The bathroom is a masterpiece with the shower being the centre floor with the toilet and sink on either wall. Let's just say you could probably use the toilet, take a shower and wash your hands at the same time!

We hadn't had lunch and it was not provided but the bar did serve sausage and cheese sandwiches.

We did a tour of the ship; it holds 280 passengers and travels at the speed of 25km an hour. This is our base for the next two nights while in Moscow.

There was an orientation at six which stated that for dinner tonight we could just pick any seats reserved for Gate 1. The next night we would be assigned whatever table and dining partners we chose and that would remain our seating for lunch and dinner for the remainder of our trip.

We sat with John and Ursula from BC who are in the mid seventies and love to travel. They have done several 30 days cruises.

Our alarm clock is the onboard radio which wakens us at 6:45 for breakfast from seven to eight most mornings.