Russian Icon Tour, Part 12 Novgorod

We were on the bus again at 9 am, and we stayed on the bus for a mighty long time. 

It took us over 4 hours to go 180 miles. Windy roads, rough roads, construction, you name it, we had it. Through forests and villages, straights and curves, we wound northeast to Novgorod. 

We arrived and ate another nice meal. 

Then we hit the Kremlin and toured the monastery church. (No photos inside)

We walked in a light rain through the Kremlin (it means "city center") before entering the Novgorod Museum. Arkady, our local Novgorodian guide, was very informative and energetic. 

NOTE: if you love icons and go to Russia, I would say this is the Ultimate site to visit. 

Take oxygen - you will need it!

After 2 hours of bliss, we left the museum by way of the gift shop. I bought this little brass icon of the XIXth century. 

The rain had stopped. We went back to the church for the first 35-40 minutes of evening Vespers, then slipped away to make sure we arrived in time for our dinner reservations. 

We walked across the river on an arched bridge to our pseudo-ship restaurant and a lovely dinner. 

Thus we didn't get to our nice, clean, modern, spacious hotel until 9 pm. 

Now it's time to sleep.