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FINA World Masters - Kazan, Russia
05/09/2015
FINA WORLD MASTERS – KAZAN
After all the problems of obtaining Visas etc. Robyn and I with several other Aussies arrived in Kazan via Melbourne/Dubai/Kazan in one hop. It seemed a very long journey, but on arrival in Kazan we were met by the very jolly Reception Committee and ushered through a “special” aisle for our entry into Russia. This was supposed be a “fast” aisle, but the other queues were much quicker. After going through Immigration, we hopped on the bus which took us immediately to the Village. We were in Building No. 22 on the 5th floor where most of the Aussies were. The village was huge, so huge they had little electric buses taking people from the Admin to the Supermarket, or the entertainment tent or back to your building. The Admin building was at the end of a very long avenue of sculptures, gardens and water fountains. There was a restaurant, a supermarket, medical centre, bank, immigration, travel etc. We were given our ID’s and off we went to our room. Our room had a small kitchen (nothing in it) a sink, a fridge the bathroom was opposite and the bedroom had plenty of cupboard space, 3 (very comfortable) beds a desk and a computer (which didn’t work). Downstairs was reception, a computer room, a table tennis area. To get to the restaurant for breakfast (which was included in the fee) we had to exit the village, walk about 150m, cross the road to the Tennis Centre, enter through another checkpoint, walk up a flight of stairs, get the lift to the 3rd floor go through another checkpoint and into the restaurant. The food was excellent, (the crepes were delicious – made while you wait). They seemed to cater for all nationalities. Getting back into the village, we passed by the security at the restaurant, crossed the road and back into the village and through “check point Charlie” once again. We never went anywhere without our ID. No ID, no entry. To get to the pool, we caught a bus outside which took about 15 minutes. On entry to the pool, the bus was checked by a security guard who scanned underneath the bus with a mirror. Now to get into the pool, we had to pass through yet another security section, NO ID NO ENTRY. Spectators went through another area.
The pool was huge, one 50m pool, another 50 meter pool, and then the diving pool. All under one roof. The grandstand ran right down one side. Now inside they had reception, but trying to find where to go was another thing, even on the last day I was still getting lost. So many corridors and small offices. Marshalling was a pain at first, but we got used to it.
They tried to run the meet as per the Elite swimmers, but soon learnt that the Masters ran their meet differently. There were plenty of efficient officials (I had trouble trying to communicate with one re the Lap Counters, but we soon sorted it out with sign language). There were Records, DQs, DNS and NT which were displayed on the score board immediately with the results. Initially, they had intended to use several pools, one for the men and one for the women, but as the number of entries were down they condensed it to the one pool, so it was the men first then the women on one day and reversed the next. One day they changed the time of our start and fortunately at breakfast someone told us, so we had to race off. Communication, I found, a bit difficult I never heard announcements although I believe there was a noticeboard which I discovered on the last day.
On our days off we went exploring. We had free travel (with our ID) so it was great hopping on an off trains and buses. I was totally exhausted the day before the 400 and in hindsight I should have stayed home, but that would have been boring.
The Presentation of the Medals was unbelievable. Normally at all other World Masters, you just front up and sign and collect the medal, but not this time, the full presentation, the two girls, the first one (they were absolutely gorgeous model like girls) held a tray with the flowers, then the swimmer, then the other with the medal, they then escorted you up the steps to the podium your name was called (how embarrassing), and then you bent over for the medal to be put around your neck. That was great for the young ones, but I had trouble getting up on the podium, and had to ask the presenter to help me down. I did not want to do another “fall off the podium” act. Robyn tried to get a photo, but I think it was too far away.
Budapest will have to pull out all stops to beat Kazan. So, it is Budapest in 2017 and Korea in 2019. I will only think about Budapest, and put Korea on hold.
Once the swimming was over, we caught an o/night train to Moscow. Funny, we had our train tickets to show, but all they wanted to see was the passport. Anyway, that was quite efficient and fast, a meal was served on the train.
We were met at Moscow by our tour guide Olga, she was remarkable, and her energy and knowledge was unbelievable. Off we went to the Hotel, the Baltschug Kempinski. Here we are in a 5 star hotel after the Village, pure luxury. We visited many sites that first day including the Changing of the Guards, and you dare not sit on a fence, even if falling over. Olga was with us for the 3 days and escorted us everywhere. Her knowledge of Moscow was unbelievable. The next day Olga took us on a tour of the underground railways. WOW! Trains every 2 minutes, we got on and off so many, and the stations were full of chandeliers, marble, mosaics, bronze statues, art work, etc. The escalators up and down (very steep), and if there is a problem to get the passengers to/from the trains, the escalators are speeded up. Fancy Melbourne having that! That night we went to the Moscow Circus. Again, WOW. Every act was brilliant, the animal act also included a Kangaroo.
Off again the next day to see a Convent built in 1524. More art, mosaics, chandeliers etc etc. Dinner at a local restaurant. All very interesting.
Off again the next day to catch the train to St Petersburg. We were met by our guide Victoria. This hotel, was just so different to the Moscow one. 5 Star Hotel Domina Prestige. From one extreme to the other. It was all very ultra art deco. The colours, the lighting, etc. Robyn and I got the giggles going to our room. We had to find 718, OK, we hop off the lift, walk down this dark passage of dark red carpet, dark red walls, dark red ceiling with a little light here and there. We found 720 so realised that we were next door. But, how to use the plastic card? None of the usual slip in the door type, it was a wave across the wall, well, by the time we eventually opened the door, everything was in darkness, well of course all we got was the giggles again, two ladies standing in the dark not knowing what to do. The Bell Boy arrived with our luggage and helped to pop the plastic card into the wall and presto, Lights. The lights are another story (more giggles).
Whilst in St Petersburg, we did all the sightseeing possible, totally exhausted we would stagger back to our little hotel.
On the last night, we were escorted to the Nikoleavsky Palace for an entertaining Russian Folklore show. WOW! Unbelievable! This was followed by dinner in the Palace. This rather large woman playing classical music on a grand piano. After each piece she would stand, we would applaud and she would acknowledge. The dinner was excellent, a wonderful end to a fantastic holiday.
The next day, Robin went off to Slovenia, Jan & Jerry off to London/New York, Jan & Geoff to Italy, Kevin & Karen to Italy, and RB to Ireland (I think), only John Pugh and me to come straight home. It was StPetersburg/Dubai/Melbourne. That was a long way, and I have promised John Pugh that if I win Tatts, we are certainly going Business Class next time.
International Sports Tours certainly did a good job.
Dorothy Dickey
3 September, 2015
