Postcard with new cancellation from the Hermitage ...

Spasiba, Karmanovsky :-)

A few years back, i had the opportunity to travel to the Russian Federation, backpacking. Despite the complicated bureaucracy in visa application, Russia is worthwhile visiting as the country has so much to offer. Besides, it is nice to have visa from the Russian Federation in the passport :-)

The following pictures were taken in St Petersburg - beautiful morning scenery outside the train station & at the Hermitage museum.

The following pictures were taken in Moscow - with the statue of Vladimir Lenin & monuments of the Soviet era. With the fall of Soviet Union, not many Lenin's statues could be seen nowadays. Am I too tiny as compared to the statues? :-)

The following picture is the iconic St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.

Also, not forgetting the banknotes used during the Soviet era ...

They were with Lenin's portrait on the banknotes.