This winter I travelled to one of the most unique and cool(freezing, literally!) places one can visit. I went to Russia to experience how it feels to stand at edge of the world and pleasure of chasing Aurora Borealis.
I started my journey with YourTravelGenie, a unique travel group that helps you travel to awesome places but more importantly with more awesome people and a superb host — “Sadda Apna” Genie who managed each and every aspect of the trip, from showing us wonderful places to getting us all super drunk. We started with our flight to Moscow dealing with immigration uncles bewildered by the fact that people can go to Russia as a tourist! As soon as we reached Moscow, the first realisation I had was that I have grossly underestimated Russian Winter (my Delhi se hoon BC attitude getting better of me as usual!). But then we boarded the bus and this feeling was overpowered by a good solid mix of various alcoholic drinks that made a burn so intense that I forgot about cold. Two days in Moscow were spent in knowing each other, usual sightseeing, playing mafia, drinking, smoking and clicking a lot of photos.
 |
| Welcoming 2020 in style at Moscow |
Then began the most exciting part of trip. We took a flight to Murmansk — largest city north of Arctic Circle. Our flight landing at Airport covered with snow was such a delightful sight for eyes. We left Murmansk Airport with expectation to finally see The Northern Lights - The Lady Aurora— highlight of our trip(which by then was being popularly referred as “Arora Aunty”). That was one hell of a night! For some because they spotted Northern Lights and were drunk as a skunk and for some because they spotted Northern Lights and well, handled people who were as drunk as skunk! (I won’t go into details of which category I fall into. Those who know, know). For next couple of days, we explored Murmansk where explore also includes visiting Murmansk Mall and shopping for warm clothes. We went to Sami Village and Husky Farms. It felt like a Christmas Jingle illustration came to life (with Santa Claus still being imaginary!)
 |
| Northern Lights Experience |
 |
| Snow Covered Murmansk Airport |
Our next stop was Teriberka. Visiting this place sent chills down my spine both literally and figuratively. I had seen lot of beaches but this was something different, something that words cannot express. Seeing a frozen beach on shore of Arctic Ocean is something I had never thought of before. Experiencing such low temperatures yet being so ecstatic was something that I thought was impossible until I saw this place. I stood there for a couple of minutes just watching arctic sea and then I did the obvious, I clicked lot of photos. But clicking photos came at its own expense. Clicking a single pic meant removing gloves and getting your, as stone-cold as your ex, fingers to manage to somehow make contact with your phone screen. It was worth the effort though. After we had more than enough photos and not enough time(as is always the case with trips) we departed from this beach to our stay for the night — The Glass Igloos. It was such a sight when we reached there. It was as if we were in our own Teletubbies version but with abundant snow. We all were as happy as those guys chatting, laughing, playing games, eating ready to eat food and having lots of champagne!
From Murmansk we departed to St. Petersburg, our last destination for the trip. With my expectations already being exceeded by my Murmansk experience anything here would have been a bonus and It was. Two days in St. Petersburg were amazing with crazy parties and nights out. I danced like no one cared and drank like someone will take care! Such was the experience of my stay in St. Petersburg. After all of this fun filled amazing and crazy 10 days, we departed for our homes with a bittersweet feeling of trip coming to an end but meeting such good people and having best time of my life.
 |
| Arctic Beach Please |
 |
| A Stay to wish for |
