London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 15 – 11 September 2016
Friendship Knows No Borders
We woke to a very different Moscow today. Gone was yesterday’s pleasant weather, replaced by cold temperatures, grey skies, and steady rain. It was one of those days when the temptation to stay inside the warmth of the motorhome was very strong.
With no fixed plans for the day, we took our time over breakfast while listening to the rain tapping gently on the roof of Kontiki. The miserable weather seemed determined to keep us indoors, but we had not travelled all the way to Moscow to spend the day sitting in a campsite.
Eventually, we wrapped up warmly and headed into the city.
Using Moscow’s excellent public transport system once again, we made our way to the city centre and finally managed to visit the famous Red Square properly. Yesterday’s carnival celebrations had restricted access to many areas, but today we were able to admire one of Russia’s most iconic locations.
Surrounded by centuries of history, we wandered through Red Square, taking in the magnificent architecture, colourful domes, and grand buildings that have witnessed some of the most important events in Russian history. We also joined a sightseeing tour that allowed us to see more of Moscow’s impressive landmarks and broad avenues.
Despite the cold and rain, it was a fascinating day.
As always, Ramesh was busy taking photographs wherever we went. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way the photographs mysteriously disappeared. Whether they were accidentally deleted, lost on a memory card, or simply hidden somewhere in the camera, we never discovered. It was a great disappointment because Moscow had provided some wonderful photo opportunities.
So, dear readers, you’ll have to use your imagination for today’s sights!
Before returning to the campsite, we stopped to do a little shopping and pick up a few supplies for the days ahead. By the time we arrived back at Sokolniki Campsite, it was early evening and the temperature had dropped even further.
At around 8:00 pm, we began preparing dinner. The plan was simple: warm up the previous night’s chicken keema and peas along with a potato curry. After a day spent sightseeing in cold, wet weather, a hot meal was exactly what we needed.
Then came an unexpected surprise.
Just as we were getting ready to eat, our French friend Alain appeared at the motorhome door.
Instead of joining us for dinner, he had come to invite us to his campervan!
Needless to say, we accepted immediately.
Soon Team Kontiki was gathered once again with Alain and his wife Hélène inside their comfortable motorhome. What followed was another memorable evening of friendship, food, and travel stories.
The table was soon covered with cold beer, red wine, fresh salad, rice, and delicious curry. What had started as a simple invitation quickly turned into a feast.
As the evening progressed, we learned more about Alain and Hélène’s incredible journey. Both were around 70 years old and were travelling around the world in their motorhome. Their enthusiasm, energy, and passion for adventure were truly inspiring. It was remarkable to see a couple of their age embracing such a challenging journey with such enthusiasm.
They proved once again that adventure has no age limit.
The conversation flowed easily as stories were exchanged about travels, cultures, breakdowns, border crossings, families, and future plans. Although we came from different countries and backgrounds, we shared a common love for exploration and the freedom of life on the road.
Hours passed unnoticed.
By the time the evening drew to a close, the red wine had been joined by a little Jack Daniel’s, and the laughter was flowing as freely as the drinks.
It was close to midnight before we finally said our goodnights and returned to Kontiki.
As we settled into bed, listening to the rain outside, we reflected on what had made the day so special. It wasn’t Red Square, the sightseeing tour, or even Moscow itself.
It was the friendships formed on the road.
Thousands of miles from home, in a campsite on the outskirts of Moscow, strangers had become friends, proving once again that travel is as much about people as it is about places.
Location: Sokolniki Campsite, Moscow, Russia
Weather: Cold, wet, and rainy throughout the day
Highlights: Visiting Red Square, sightseeing around Moscow, and another wonderful evening with our French travelling friends
Special memory: Being hosted for dinner by Alain and Hélène during their round-the-world motorhome adventure
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki prepares to leave Moscow behind and continue deeper into the vast Russian landscape on the next stage of our epic journey to Mumbai.
