Far sighted investment with Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi winter facilities. In a Swedish newspaper a prominent member of Russian opposition critizised the creation of a wintersports mekka in this amazing location. Since this was possible to judge unlike many other claims it made the rest seem dubios.

The whole Sochi area is beeing upgraded and overhauled, it shows ambition and leadership as well as the necessary financial strenght. With a simple visa procedure for the area and attractive charter type offers, this will be a major destination also with the tourists without prior tradition to visit Sochi.

By the way, skiing Kirovsk in the spring is another world class experience to really be endorsed. Since my visits there has been a snow hotel added. With trips conveniently packaged and properly marketed there is every potential for many visitors. Best to beat the crowd...

The phone bill turned out rather interesting. Roaming with the local operator were significantly cheaper than EU (about half). My own operators daughter company charged exorbiant amounts. Also heafty opening charges for calls that never were picked up. Aware of the outrageous pricing calls were kept short, but it was a nice surprise that at least one Russian operator refrained from this behaviour.