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Sunday, March 22, 2026

Russia 2019 Day 3: Sergiyev Posad to Rostov

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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures

Russia 2019 Day 3: Sergiyev Posad to Rostov

Russia 2019 Day 3: 11th May (Saturday)

Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg & the Golden Ring Cities).
Day 3 - Sergiyev Posad to Rostov:
Sergiyev Posad (Barskiye Polati Hotel)>Spaso-Vifanskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr'>Russkiy Park>Finift Enamel Factory>Rostov (Dom Figurina Hotel)>Rostov Kremlin>Monastery of St.Jacob Saviour>Dom Figurina Hotel.

This is page 3 of a 14-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D2: Sergiyev Posad | Go to Other Days | D4: Suzdal/Moscow >

Route recommendations: Here are some tips on travelling to and around Russia:

1. Traffic Directions!

Driving in Russia is left-hand drive, and driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Do look to the correct side when crossing roads.

Speed limits are between 60 km/h within urban areas, 110 km/h along expressways, and 120 km/h on highways.

2. Getting to & around Russia.

Today, we leave Sergiyev Posad and head by van to Rostov, another of the Golden Ring Cities. En route, we will visit a secret monastery and also a secret convent. Then it's to a Russian park before enriching our knowledge of intricate Russian artwork at an enamel art factory.

Since Russia's "special military operation" into Ukraine, accessibility to Russia by air has been limited. But several airlines (including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines) still operate flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

We flew return with Thai Airways from Kuala_Lumpur (KLIA) to Moscow (Domodedovo Airport) with short transits at Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport). Presently, Thai Airways still flies from Bangkok to Moscow but now lands at Vnukovo Airport.

We booked hotels, train tickets, and several meals via the internet. Ground arrangements (and airport transfers) in Moscow were made through Alexander of Angel Tour, who can be contacted through WhatsApp at this phone number: +7926-435-86-87.

Ground arrangements (and train station transfers) in St. Petersburg were made through Tayna (contact no.: +7921-923-12-27), a local agent in St. Petersburg.

Travelling around the cities was in a 16-seater van. Travelling between Moscow and St. Petersburg was by the Red Arrow Sleeper Train and the Sapsan High Speed Train. Within Moscow, we got around using the Moscow Metro.

For out-of-pocket spending, we exchanged some Russian Rubles before leaving. We also brought along our Big Pay debit cards, as these can be used to withdraw Russian Rubles at ATMs. Debit and credit cards can also be used, but many smaller shops or market stalls only accept cash transactions. Click here for exchange rates to Rubles (presently 1MYR = 18.67 RUR, i.e. Russian Rubles).

3. Immigration & Customs Requirements

Tourists entering Russia will need a tourist visa, which can only be obtained via a TOURIST CONFIRMATION VOUCHER issued by a Russian travel agency or a Russian hotel that has the license to invite foreign tourists. This can be done through a local travel agency with affiliation to a Russian travel agency to obtain this invitation letter. The following is a list of countries that are visa-exempt to enter Russia.

For Malaysians, leaving and returning to Malaysia, getting through immigration is easier now. Just install and register MyBorderPass, and getting through will be a breeze. A QR code will be generated, have this scanned, and you're through.

4. Places & Things of Interest

There were many scenic and interesting places of interest along the way, but one should not miss the following:
a. Spaso-Vifanskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr' (Спасо-Вифанский мужской монастырь) (GPS: 56.28772, 38.17726) at Sergiyev Posad.

b. Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Собор Сошествия Святого Духа) (GPS: 56.28715, 38.17717) at Sergiyev Posad.
c. Russkiy Park (Русский парк) (Wanderlog Link) (GPS: 56.71041, 38.80356) at Yaroslavl Oblast.

d. Finift Enamel Factory (Ростовская Финифть) (GPS: 57.18286, 39.38408) which produces Rostov Finift Enamel (a traditional Russian artistic craft), located at the outskirts of Rostov.

e. Rostov Kremlin (UNESCO Heritage Listing) (Ростовский кремль) (GPS: 57.18444, 39.41664) at Lake Nero, Rostov.

f. Monastery of St.Jacob Saviour (Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery) (Спасо-Яковлевский монастырь) (GPS: 57.17435, 39.39239) at Lake Nero, Rostov.

5. Food

a. Breakfast

Inclusive breakfast of Pancakes, Kuskus, Mashed Potato-Fish at our hotel, Hotel Polat Barskie (website) (Барские Полати) (GPS: 56.31067, 38.14110) in Sergiyev Posad.

b. Light Lunch

At Dom Figurina Hotel (GPS: 57.18457, 39.41380) in Rostov::
Okroshka Sour Cream Soup (Okróshka Soup) with Rye Bread at Dom Figurina Hotel (GPS: 57.18457, 39.41380) in Rostov.

b. Dinner

Russian Food at Pokrovsky Gate Restaurant (Ресторан "Покровские ворота") (GPS: 57.18219, 39.40380) in Rostov:

Borscht Soup, Ukha (traditional Russian fish soup), Russian Pelmeni Dumplings (with pork, rabbit meat), & Zarkoe (Meat in a Pot).

6. Accommodations

One night at Dom Figurina Hotel (GPS: 57.18457, 39.41380) in Rostov, at 2,800 roubles per double/twin bedder room.

7. Communicating with Each Other

When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest. Back then, it was not easy to buy Russian Sim cards, and our Moscow guide got the Beeline physical SIM cards (with 14days unlimited data) at 700 RUR (MYR 37.50) for us before we arrived.

Even now, it is not easy to purchase a SIM card. However, it is possible to buy Russian Sim cards online; just be aware of the restrictions posted earlier.

8. Communicating with Locals

At hotels and tourist spots, locals speak fairly good English. In the smaller towns, most locals speak only Russian. As such, it would be good to know some basic Russian.

9. Dressing

When entering churches and monasteries, it is advisable to wear long pants, especially for women. Ladies will also have to wear headscarves or veils. Caps and hats should be taken off when in churches and monasteries.

10. Weather

Daytime and nighttime temperatures at Sergiyev Posad were 11°C. While at Rostov, daytime and nighttime temperatures were 11°C and 6°C, respectively.

Useful weather forecast sites for Russia is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.

11. Navigation

I used MapMyRide to track our routes and stops. Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook or Google Maps.

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PRELUDE

Yesterday was a fruitful day of exploring Sergiyev Posad, admiring the Tulips Garden at the "City Soviet Square", visiting a Matryoshka Doll Museum, and The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, the main seat of the Russian Orthodox Church..

Today, we say goodbye to Sergiyev Posad and head for Rostov, another of the Golden Ring Cities. En route, we made sneak visits to a secret monastery and a secret convent. Then it's to a Russian park, an enamel art factory, and much more.

___________________________________________________________________________

DAY 3: SERGIYEV POSAD TO ROSTOV

Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg & the Golden Ring Cities).

Day 3 - Sergiyev Posad to Rostov:
Sergiyev Posad (Barskiye Polati Hotel)>Spaso-Vifanskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr'>Russkiy Park>Finift Enamel Factory>Rostov (Dom Figurina Hotel)>Rostov Kremlin>Monastery of St.Jacob Saviour>Dom Figurina Hotel.

(Click Here Russia 2019 Days 3: Sergiyev Posad to Rostov Route Map)

Many of the posts below are linked to my Facebook postings during the trip and are embedded here with some comments. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post to read more details. If you can't see the posts, please log out of your Facebook first.)

Daily Log Day 3: 11th May Saturday - Sergiyev Posad to Rostov.
After a good breakfast at the hotel, we left Sergiyev Posad to head for Rostov, the second of the Golden Ring Cities that we will be staying in.
Today's destinations included a Church and a Monastery that is off the beaten track. Both of these were started by monks or priests who wanted more privacy from visitors.
We also visited a theme park showcasing Russia's cultural history, early housing, etc.
Next was a factory producing enamel art.
At Rostov, we visited both a kremlin and a monastery.
Places of interest:
1. Secret Church with underground cells, for those who wanted even more solitude and privacy.
2. Secret Church and Monastery.
3. Russkiy Park (Русский парк). Museum of historical Russian firsts in theworld. Inventions, planes, ships, etc. Sikorsky. Theme park at the cinema. A Dacha (typical Russian country house) design.
4. Finift Enamel Factory (Ростовская Финифть), an art factory, at the outskirts of Rostov.

5. Rostov Kremlin (Ростовский кремль). The pottery shop inside sells figurine lovers who whistle a tune. Bought a couple of figurines at 850 roubles. Bell museum, observation tower, apple garden. Had coffee in the apple garden.
6. Monastery of St.Jacob Saviour (Спасо-Яковлевский монастырь) at the edge of Lake Nero.

After a hearty breakfast of Pancakes, Kuskus, and mashed potato-fish at our hotel, Hotel Polat Barskie, we checked out and headed for our first destination, just on the outskirts of Sergiyev Posad:

7:15am - At the Spaso-Vifanskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr', it's a secluded monastery with hardly any visitors, as they value their privacy and prefer it that way so that they can go about their prayers quietly.

We were the only tourists/visitors there and walked around quietly, not wanting to interrupt the residents. Here are the girls taking a group photo at one of the entrance doors; we did not go in. It's a beautiful building topped with shiny golden domes.

Although it is a secluded place, it does appear on Google Maps, and those visiting the Spaso-Vifanskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr' are advised to go in small groups.

Here's a view of the bell tower with a grand entrance arch doorway.

8:30am - A short distance away was the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, also a secluded building.

The Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is a stunning architectural marvel that captivates visitors with its rich history and spiritual significance. Although called a cathedral, this place seems to be a convent, operated by nuns.

Nestled in a picturesque setting, this cathedral showcases intricate designs and beautiful artwork that reflect its cultural heritage, as seen in this bell tower.

As you step inside, you'll be enveloped by an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence, making it a perfect spot for reflection or prayer.

Although 2019 Easter Day was celebrated late here, on April 28th, (under the Orthodox Julian Calendar), this Easter Basket of beautiful Easter Eggs was still laid out.

10:00 - We left the serenity of the cathedral and convent and arrived at the Russkiy Park.
It's an interesting destination that covers several hectares, immersing visitors in the rich customs and traditions of Russian Culture from the 19th and 20th centuries.

While exploring this expansive area, you can discover various attractions, including a fascinating museum dedicated to Russian inventions, showcasing an impressive collection of photos and detailed descriptions. Many of these inventions changed the world.
The above shows Russian advances in aerodynamics.

These include the Tupolev Tu-144, a commercial supersonic airliner.
And the Tupolev Tu-160 (Blackjack), a supersonic, variable-sweep wing nuclear-capable heavy strategic bomber and airborne missile platform.

Also on display was a model of a Soyuz Rocket, the launcher of crewed Soyuz spacecraft under the Soyuz Space Programme, part of the Soviet Space Programme.

The Russians were space pioneers and have many notable firsts in Outer Space Exploration, as can be seen in this space exploration timeline. This included: the first satellite (Sputnik 1, 1957), the first animal (Laika the dog, 1957) into Earth orbit, the first human in space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961), and the first woman in space (Valentina Tereshkova, 1963).

A poster highlighting the Russian submarine program.

Models of submarines, including the Typhoon-class submarine, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of the Soviet Navy.
And the world's first full-fledged submarine, called the Odessa "Nautilus" by designer Stefan Drzewiecki.

The Russkiy Park also features stunning examples of traditional Russian wooden architecture.

Inside was a tea museum, showcasing charming and exquisite 19th-century Russian court dresses. Russian court dress was a special, regulated style of clothing that aristocrats and courtiers at the Russian imperial court in the 19th-20th centuries had to follow during the time of the Russian Empire.

Back outside on the grounds of the Russkiy Park, the girls "flying" with their shawls 😂.

12:15pm - At the Finift Enamel Factory, located on the outskirts of Rostov.
The factory produces Rostov Finift Enamel, a traditional Russian artistic craft.

The above shows beautiful pendants and necklaces.

And these medals/pendants of Russian icons.

Panel collage of Christian events in the history of Chritianity.

Beautiful enamel tableware.

Earrings and brooches.

1:30pm - We arrived at Rostov, greeted by a view of the Rostov Kremlin.
Kremlins are actually major fortified central complexes found in historic Russian cities. But the "Kremlin" these days often refers to the Moscow Kremlin.
We checked into our hotel, the Dom Figurina Hotel, had a quick and simple in-house lunch of Okroshka Sour Cream Soup (Okróshka Soup) with Rye Bread, and were soon out to tour the place.

Starting with the Rostov Kremlin consists of four special complexes: the Metropolitan's Court, the Cathedral Court, the Metropolitan Garden, and the Stable Yard.

The oldest building of the ensemble is the Rostov Assumption Cathedral, topped by platinum-coloured domes that are almost spherical.

Inside the Rostov Assumption Cathedral, the walls and ceiling were fully painted with murals!

Inside, we were also in for a treat - a trio chant-singing choral songs.
Also, thanks to the efforts of the museum specialists, this kremlin has preserved outstanding 17th-century Russian monumental painting.

The Rostov Kremlin buildings were built in the second half of the 17th century and sits on the shores of at Lake Nero.

The Rostov Kremlin is also listed under the UNESCO Heritage Act.

That's us enjoying a coffee break at the Metropolitan Garden within the grounds of the Rostov Kremlin.

5:45pm - With a short two-kilometer drive, we were at the Monastery of St.Jacob Saviour. From high on its guard towers, Lake Nero was even more visible! The lake is estimated to be about 500 thousand years old, making it one of the few pre-ice age lakes in central Russia. The bottom of the lake is covered with a thick layer of silt sapropel (a sort of ooze used as fertilizer and for other purposes).