Part 1: The Journey

I had the opportunity to visit the "Land of the White Bear," also known as the "Land Behind the Iron Curtain," now commonly referred to as the Russian Federation. This country boasts a fascinating history, background, and legacy. It is a land that transforms into a white wonderland during the snowy season. While Western films often portray Russians as villains, my personal experience revealed a country brimming with positive aspects.

We traveled at the end of April and did not want to keep this good story to ourselves, so we are sharing it with you.

This trip review will be presented in a daily narrative format, showcasing the sights and sounds of various locations accompanied by interesting tidbits of information and photographs. Due to the group nature of our trip, it was not feasible to capture every detail of each destination. Nevertheless, we hope that this review will be of some value to you.

Additional Information

1. The temperature during the journey is around 2-15 degrees Celsius. It is recommended to prepare moderate cold-weather gear. Be prepared for rain, sun, clouds, and traffic jams.

2. The hotel's wifi connection is reliable (no need to purchase additional SIM cards or internet packages). 3. Russian rubles are difficult to exchange locally, so plan ahead by pre-ordering currency from banks or exchange bureaus. 4. All airports have strict security checks. 5. Entry to some palaces is strictly controlled. Visitors must pass through scanners before entering, and photography is prohibited in some areas.

This trip brings together old friends from primary school, high school, and university. Who's ready? Raise your hand! It turns out that we have a group of people who have been preparing for this trip for almost six months (gradually paying money), which is easy on the wallet. And we don't have to worry about getting lost or having fun because our group leader is an expert who knows Russia very well. They will take us on a tour and provide us with insights that will help us understand and appreciate Russia more when we visit different places. They will also help with the management and facilitation of various matters through PSP Tout&Organize. The concept of this trip has a cool name, "Warm Touch...in Russia: Spring of Love in Russia Trip." We are ready to embark on our journey....

7:00 AM, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Gate 3, Thai Airways, Flight TG 974, Destination: Domodedovo International Airport, Departure Time: Approximately 10:00 AM (Large aircraft, comfortable seating).

In-flight meals

The sky was a vibrant blue, the color of the flight ceiling... (I can't remember exactly). When I opened the window, the light that streamed in was so bright that I had to squint. I lifted my camera, pointed it at the wing, and clicked the shutter 2-3 times. The resulting image captured the vast horizon and the airplane wing. I continued to admire the view, the wide expanse of the sky, and the wing of the aircraft.

We have to stay on the plane for a long time, about 10 hours. We sleep, wake up, get up and walk around, change our posture to relieve fatigue, and look at the monitor to see the flight path. We wonder in our hearts when we will arrive!

Upon landing at Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow around 3:55 PM local time, the journey had been smooth thus far. However, this was not the final destination. A connecting flight to Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg awaited. Clearing immigration at Domodedovo proved to be a nerve-wracking experience. Despite multiple booths, the officers took a considerable amount of time to examine passports. Each passenger received a small document from immigration, serving as a visa for entry into Russia. This document required careful safekeeping. Once everyone had cleared immigration and collected their luggage, they rushed to check in and pass through security for the domestic flight.

An exterior view of the airport shows a red star-shaped sign directing passengers to the airport rail link. An image of a ticket vending machine with multiple language options is also included.

S7 Airlines flight 023 to St. Petersburg had a last-minute gate change. The original gate on the boarding pass was Gate 42, but the airport changed it without a clear announcement in English. We only found out about the change a few minutes before departure and had to rush to Gate 32 to catch the flight.

Domestic flight

Aerial photograph from an airplane window

The view from the flight between Moscow and Saint Petersburg is truly breathtaking. The sky is magnificent.

After clearing immigration at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, it was around 8:30 PM. The sky was still relatively bright, and the outside temperature was quite cold.

A video showcasing the scenery along the route to the hotel in St. Petersburg, captured while the car was in motion.

The journey ends in Chapter 1. We arrived at our destination around 9:30 p.m.

**Final notes:** Immigration in Moscow can be time-consuming as officers work meticulously and unhurriedly. Therefore, it is crucial to allocate ample time for this process. The document provided by the officer, a small sheet resembling a visa, must be carefully preserved throughout your stay in Russia. Luggage weight restrictions are strict: no more than 23 kilograms. Exceeding this limit incurs additional fees. Carry-on luggage should not exceed 7 kilograms.

Due to the fact that Russian is not an English-speaking country, there is a possibility of a sudden gate change. Please be cautious, as you may miss your connecting flight to Saint Petersburg if you are traveling by plane.

Stay tuned for the next episode, which will cover accommodation and the first trip.