The Western Grey Whales. Magnificent Mammals That Migrate 14,000 Miles Annually...

These magnificent whales migrate fourteen thousand miles every year just because it's what they do and it's what they've always done.
A study of three Western Grey Whales, each fitted with satellite monitored tags were found by Russian and US researches to have traveled from their primary feeding grounds off Russia's Sakhalin Island, across the Pacific Ocean, down the west coast of California to Baji, Mexico and after not so much as a quick cup of tea, head back home again.
There's thought to be around one hundred and fifty of these wonderful creatures left in the oceans of our world and they've been monitored along with the Eastern Grey Whale since the 1990's. Five have perished in the last decade in Japanese fishing nets and their future remains precarious, having to contend with commercial fishing, shipping and oil and gas fields.
The Western Grey's descendents date back thirty million years. With a bit of luck they'll be around a few million more... 

Did The Earth Move For You...

If you'd been as photographer Alexey Trofimov was at the frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia recently, then you'd have seen some rather spectacular earth shattering results at least.
Even if the earth didn't actually move for you...

Crimea's Ancient Cave City Of Eski Kermen...

If you're feeling like getting back to basics.
Really getting back to basics, you might like to travel to Crimea to see the ancient cave city
of Eski Kermen.
Eski Kermen is a medieval town located just 6km from Mangupa, in the Bakhchisaray region in Crimea. The town is situated on one of the flat-topped mountains called mesa and is famous for its more than 300 caves. The caves were built in the 6th century and were used for human habitation because of the safety they provided and the shelter that they offered from the elements. Over centuries the dwellings grew and housed several hundreds of people at one time. Religious life was important to these people who built their churches in the caves.
The cave city was inhabited until the Mongols invaded the area in the 13th century.
Due to the mountainous terrain, the town was difficult to reach and was one of the last to succumb to the Mongol onslaught.
Today the caves of Eski Kermen are frequented by daytrippers and campers.

Sorry Ladies. If You Live In Russia, Belarus Or Kazakhstan, You Can't Buy Lacy Knickers Any More...

Sorry ladies but the people who know best in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have decided that you won't be able to buy sexy lingerie in any store after July 1 this year.
For health reasons.
A simple right and freedom of choice that you have exercised anytime you wished is now to be denied by this draconian new law.
Lingerie outlets are about to bin up to ninety percent of their underwear stock under this trade ban which prohibits the import, production or sale of synthetic lace underwear.
The ban outlaws any underwear containing less than six percent cotton and most sexy lingerie is made with a cotton content of less than four.
Thirty women were arrested recently, yes arrested like criminals for having the audacity to protest against the absurdity of the new law, some wearing knickers on their heads.
These women were simply demanding the right to choose the type of underwear they put on every day.
A right you should be able to take for granted.
Funny isn't it, as in the rest of the world on virtually any issue you might like to think about, the people who make the rules are never constrained or affected by them!
I'm sure Mrs Putin will wear whatever lacy lingerie she likes.
With Mr Putin's approval of course...

Freestyle Skiing At Its Best From Russia's Fifty Billion Dollar Winter Olympic Games...

These gold medal images of some of the best skiers in the world show the years of dedication they've put into their sport. Look at the grace, the style, the choreographed artistry that's gone into their delicate and yet freestyle manoeuvres that they carry out at great speed.
These are just some of the world's greatest sportsmen and women who are taking part in Russia's obscenely expensive winter olympics
at Sochi.
Fifty billion dollars could feed a lot of people...

Being Physically Fit In Moscow Can Get Commuters Free Subway Travel...

If you're fit enough to do thirty squats in front of these special monitors set up at Moscow's Metro terminals, you can get yourself free travel on the subway.
It appears that Russia is keen on keeping at least some of its citizens alive and while they mightn't be as fit as the national team competing in the Sochi Winter Olympics at least they'll be in good shape.
While Moscow may miss out on some rail fares it may actually be saving the state funded health system a lot of money.
Looks like a great idea and a lot of fun. Perhaps other countries will come up with similar innovative ideas to encourage their citizens to stay healthy... 

The Mir Diamond Mine In Russia Is The World's Second Biggest Manmade Hole...

The disused Mir Diamond Mine in Russia's Eastern Siberia is 525 metres deep and 1.2 kilometres wide. There's restricted airspace above it because helicopters get sucked in by the enormous downdraft.
It's the second biggest manmade hole in the world.
The world's biggest manmade hole is the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah USA. It's 970 metres deep and 4 kilometres wide.
Four kilometres wide!
Because the Mir hole is empty and abandoned and as I dislike waste, I thought the hole would be a good choice to accommodate all the world's dysfunctional, untrustworthy, dictatorial, greedy, egotistical, self-serving, incompetent, did I mention stupid, bureaucrats and politicians if we were to drop them all in it.
But this hole may not big enough, perhaps the Bingham Mine would be better...

The Tiny Sleepbox Is A Big Deal For Travellers In Russia...

So you arrive in Moscow without a hotel booking or you've got some hours waiting around between travelling further by bus, train or plane.
You're on a budget and you're tired and you don't want to be parted from your luggage.
Originally designed in 2009 by the Arch Group, the first Sleepboxes opened at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport two years later.
Now the Sleepbox Hotel Tverskaya is open for the weary traveller who wants no more than a comfortable and safe place to stay and rest for anytime between half an hour and many hours.
The concept is based on backpacker prices with many hotel facilities.
Sorry there's no room service.
Each Sleepbox is 2m long x 1.4m wide and 2.3m high.
The bed is 2m long x 0.6m wide.
Each unit is equipped with a ventilation system, sound alerts, LCD, TV, WiFi and sockets for a laptop and phone charging.
Sound like fun doesn't it.
I can see you packing your bags already.
Before you hop on the plane,
there's more to know here...