Starting to be the tourist.

As I move to the western end of Russia I'm starting to see the tourist "attractions" of the country.  A couple of days ago it was Kazan, the capital of Tartasan republic.  Here they have a Kremlin (which is the Russian word for a small fort or fortified town) which was UNESCO listed a few years ago because of its state of preservation and was a "must see" according to the guidebooks.  It was built when the Russians (who are really the people from the western end of the country) last over-ran the local Tartar people; fairly spectacular and large and you would really need a helicopter view to do it justice (so just Google it!) but here are a few photo's.

[caption id="attachment_525" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Outer walls."][/caption]

Inside there was a bit of everything:

[caption id="attachment_526" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Palace - currently used by president of Tartasan"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_528" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="17th century Orthodox church - built when the Russians first captured Tartasan and decided to convert them from Islam"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_529" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Mosque - built 2005 to replace the ones the Russian razed in 17th century (apparently  conversion was only partially successful -Tartars are now spread equally over the two religions)"][/caption]

 

Outside the Kremlin they are obviously working hard to preserve the character of the central area of the town.

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="This is the Ministry of Agriculture - built 3 years ago!"][/caption]

However there are some more modern influences at work.



Driving back out into the countryside I crossed the Volga - but since the bridge featured armed guards at each end (which all major bridges do - it seems to be a last vestige of the cold war) and they looked extremely bored and looking for any excuse for excitement I decided stopping half-way across to take a photo was not a wise idea.

[caption id="attachment_532" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="The best I could manage - the Volga from near its banks"][/caption]

Tartasan looked prosperous and this seemed to be the reason:

[caption id="attachment_533" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="These were dotted all over the countryside gently "nodding" away. Obviously lots of easily accessible oil."][/caption]

 

From Kazan I was heading to Suzdal, a small town near Moscow and 600km away.  It should have been an easy 1 1/2 day ride - as it was the first day descended into one of those you try to forget - rain, roadworks, drivers trying to kill you and general unpleasantness.  I did the sensible thing 250km down the road (which had taken over 8 hours) and simply pulled over, found a patch of trees and camped before tiredness caused me to do something stupid.

[caption id="attachment_534" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Bike and tent are hidden somewhere in those trees."][/caption]

 

Turned out to be a good decision, next day dawned dry and sunny, roadworks ceased and road turned into dual carriageway (first of any consequence in 15,000 kms) and suddenly all was right with the world.