David Hempleman Adams, expedition leader, 18 July. Murmansk
One of the nice things with this northern city you get 24 hours of light so the days seem incredibly long. Plenty of time to scratch the surface of this City
It is a city of many contrasts and only in my opinion has some things we should buy and bring to the UK. But you also get the absurd.
Of course the weather is extreme from Summer to Winter. The old Soviet style of Khrushchev building mostly falling down are being replaced by modern blocks. However like our hotel the insulation is so good and the air movement so minimal it’s like walking into a sauna that gives you an instant headache. So now they have air conditioning in the Arctic to help the tourist !
There seems to be a huge respect for each other and especially the old. All obey rules that have been indoctrinated from birth. The traffic lights have a count down until you can cross. And the red man turns to green if there is not a car in sight they will not cross until it is green. On many occasions I have not waited and started walking. People look at each other as if to say he’s mad !
The food has been exceptional great quality and very well prepared. As of yet they certainly don’t have an obesity problem like we have. I’m definitely turning native, I have to get out of here !