The construction of the Moscow subway was started in 15th May, 1935. The subway has 172 stations with a total length of approximately 178 miles. The most beautiful stations are near the center of the capital. The architecture of the Moscow subway stations is very attractive with beautiful hallways that at first sight are reminiscent of a museum or heritage site.

A Video Slideshow of Moscow’s Most Beautiful Subway Stations

Some of the lines of this subway provide picturesque views of the Moskva River and the Yauza River. The station that was designed by the architect Dushkin was inaugurated in 1935. This station was known as the ‘Palace of Soviets’ until 1957. The ends of the station’s supporting columns are carved into five pointed soviet stars. The architectural beauty of bronze figures of the creators of the New Socialist Orders that are placed between the columns of the Ploschad Revolutsii station are also worth a mention.

The Kropotkinskaya station was said to have been inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak. photo by malfet.

Visitors and tourists are impressed by the marble clad walls and chandelier lighting of the stations in the subway. Many sculptures and murals that display the great events in Russian history are found in the subway stations. Of particular importance are the bronze statues representing the revolutionaries of 1917 that are displayed at the Revolution Square station. The culture of Russia is also given a representation in Tatranalaia station, where there are statues of ballerinas in the national costumes.

The Red Square Metro Station (7F) by Revolution Square station. Photo by Daz n P.

The Moscow subway was named after Lazar Kaganovich who was one of Stalin’s most trusted advisors and a key figure in the construction of the metro. The subway of Moscow had an important role to play in the historic era of World War II. The subway offered shelter to thousands of citizens during aerial bombings. During the war, the Christiye Prudy station was used as the main command center of the Soviet army general staff. The Mayakovskaya station in the subway was used as a command post for the city’s anti aircraft batteries. This station also hosted an underground ceremony to celebrate the twenty fifth anniversary of the October Revolution held on 6th November, 1941.

The Victory Park station. Photo by farflungphotos.

The Moscow subway is consistently ranked among the ten best subway systems in the world for its architectural beauty and the historic significance granted to the stations and other buildings that were expected to showcase the opulence of the Socialist regime.

In the heart of charming downtown New Hope, PA, along picturesque Ferry Street, stands the Logan Inn, a testament to an era long faded in the mists of time. Established as a tavern by John Wells back in 1722, if the old walls could speak, they would tell tales of visits New Hope’s earliest residents, some of whom, it is said, still linger in the ether of the air.

The Logan Inn is Buck’s County’s prideful peacock, for it stands alone as the area’s oldest continuously run Inn and one of the five oldest in the United States. It is also the only New Hope hostelry in the National Register of Historic Places. The inn’s interior boasts of the artistry of a bygone era while amenities and services couldn’t be more modern. Still, over the years, some guests have whispered about close encounters of the fifth, sixth and seventh kind, namely ghosts.

The Ghosts of New Hope

There have been several ghosts cited, both of children and adults, but the most lingering specter concerns a Revolutionary War solider who is seen entering different area of the Inn, including the bar, the dining room and the basement. As the story goes, during that great conflict, some of the dead from one of the battles were stored in the basement of the Logan Inn until proper burial for the soldiers could be accomplished. This specter is said to be among them, but only The Great Shadow can say who he is.

Are you ready for a visit to New Hope’s Logan Inn?

Are you…sure?

As we sailed across what I would soon find out is the world’s tenth largest lake, we could not help but think about the dangers that this place contained for any traveler. We were on our way to Isla Ometepe in Lago, Nicaragua. It’s a small island on the map but much bigger in real life.

Why is it dangerous? For one, the island is home to an active volcano that should erupt once about every 50 years. It hasn’t erupted since 1957. The math worried me. But more about that in a minute.

Another particularly dangerous feature of the island: If an eruption occurs, and you’re in the water, then swimming for your life might not be the best of ideas. Even if that doesn’t scare you away, the lake is also home to one of the world’s only species of fresh water-tolerating sharks. How comforting! The sharks are bull sharks, a species known to — at times — enter into fresh water from the sea. Studies show that it takes the sharks about 7-11 days to make the journey up or down the rapids of the San Juan river from the Caribbean Ocean. One of our guides on the island believes that once the sharks are locked in the lake, after arriving from the ocean, they’ll stay indefinitely. But some sharks tagged in the lake have been caught later in the sea. Interesting, but no by means comforting — the bull shark is one of the world’s most aggressive sharks and responsible for the majority of attacks on humans! Needless to say we made it to and from without incident.

It took about an hour to get across the lake to the island. The view of the island is absolutely fantastic, even breathtaking. We stayed in a dumpy little hostel but it served the intended purpose. One feature of the island was that every night at around 8 or 9 a torrential downpour would come through the island. It lasted each night for between 30 minutes and 2 hours. All the buildings (including our humble hostel) had tin roofs.

Clouds often shroud the peak of the volcano Concepción.

Our second day on the island we climbed up the active volcano nearby called Concepción. The guides won’t tell you how hard of a climb it is because they want you to fill their pockets. Be assured, though, it’s grueling. The guide will only take you to 1000 meters, still 600 from the top. It is too dangerous to go any higher. Toxic gases, hurricane strength winds, impenetrable fog… Possible eruption! You get the idea.

The view from 1,000 meters.

Up to the last 100 meters of the climb, you find yourself trekking through a dense rainforest. You see snakes, pink lizards, dung beetles, every biting insect you ever knew existed and then some more you didn’t. Then there’s the monkeys. There are large colonies of Capuchin and howler monkeys on the trek. Some will actually converse with you if you can master their language. It was an exhausting journey to the (pseudo)-top, but well worth the 7.50 USD a person. The view was absolutely stupendous.

Petroglyphs on the Island

Another neat feature of the island is its archaeology. At several sites on the island you’ll find petroglyphs. We were told that some of them are over 2,000 years old. It’s fun to try and figure out what the drawings depict. Some of them gave us a run for our money. It also gave us appreciation for the forefathers of the island’s present 35,000 inhabitants.

The other volcano, Maderas, can be climbed all the way to the crater, which converges into a beautiful lagoon. We opted out (seven hours uphill through the mud didn’t sound as exciting as the lagoon at top). Maybe next time.

Video of Travels on Isla de Ometepe

Isla Ometepe is an enchanting place. The food and people are more-than-agreeable and the views, incredible. One tip though. If you’re on the ferry (the big boat), don’t miss out on the air-conditioned room upstairs. It’s a lifesaver. The two flat screen TVs kept us all entertained with 1980s music videos. Isla Ometepe — I’d say it’s definitely on my list of world wonders.