Victory Day

One of the main dates in  we based our trip around was the May 9th celebrations for Victory Day in Moscow. This was great plan but it had its cons. First I have never seen so many officers in one area who looked at you like they were about to take your passport away at the slightest wrong move or glance. Second it meant that the Red Square and consequently the Kremlin were also closed for the weekend due to preparations and dress rehearsals. We planned to be in Moscow so that we could witness the parade from the infamous Red Square. Little did we know that's almost an impossible feat and most people simple watch it from their televisions sets at home in order to get a decent view. After several days of planning we carefully plucked ourselves on the opposite side of a river and hour and half before the parade started. We didn't have the best view but we got to see the tanks and helicopters go by as well as be part of a crowd of enormous patriotism. 

Helicopter fly over

 Victory day turned out to be one of the best days we had on the trip. After the parade was over we rented bikes and rode along the river visiting statue park and of course stopping for ice cream!

The race is on

 Before heading back to the hostel we stopped for a quick nap in front of the Kremlin walls. No one even told us to get off the grass.

Remaining crowd

 The final part of the night was to watch the firework celebration. Kilometers of street were block off to pile in the thousands of people watching. Apart from the fireworks the crowd was a sight to see.