My first time on a real Russian Submarine!

It is Saturday morning and we decided to do some sightseeing in Kaliningrad. Andrey wanted to take me to see a real Russian submarine. Wow, I have never seen a submarine in real life. Now I will be able to board one. I excited like a little child.

It was a beautiful day. We’ve been here for almost 2 weeks and it was raining most of the time. In Kaliningrad it rains a lot. Today the sun was shining and families gathered in the park close to the museum. You could see this magnificent beast lying in the water. I expected it to be bigger. We bought tickets for the Museum of the World Ocean. This allows you entry to the Submarine and 2 museum ships.

The Museum of the World Ocean, Kaliningrad is the central maritime museum of this country and is one of the Kaliningrad Tourist Attractions. The main display  of this museum is the renowned vessel named Vityaz.Today was going to be a fun day!

Andrey and I are photo fanatics. You can imagine how many photos we took before we even boarded the submarine. I had to rely on Andrey to translate everything. We were welcomed by retired volunteer crew members who work as tour operators. There were a lot of people on the submarine. We did not use a guide.

First we had to climb through a latch to enter the torpedo room. I could not believe all the gadgets, levers and equipment. It was very impressive! We wanted to take photos and I needed Andrey to translate everything for me. But some people gave the things one look and pushed forward. In some places we got caught up and had to move forward as well.

I could not believe how small the passages were! How on earth did the sailors move when the submarine was deployed? It must have been terrible and very scary at times.

We made our way to the control room and the living quarters. I was told that the submarine had 80 people when it was deployed. 80 people!!!! Only the officers of rank had a tiny cabin to sleep in. The sailors were sleeping between torpedoes and the other equipment. Poor guys! Imagine cuddling a torpedo!!!

Some areas were very small and I felt a lump forming in my throat. Sheer panic because I am claustrophobic and really don’t like small spaces. But soon enough we came to the last hatch and made our way out. More photo opportunities.

Outside was the diving machine that they have used in the movie Titanic. I was impressed and it was a very good photo opportunity.

It was time to explore the Vityaz! There were very interesting exhibits on display.

The retired research vessel VITYAZ is the major object of MWO. It made scientific voyages in the World Ocean since 1949 until 1979, and is worldwide famous for its research in the Pacific. At present, the exposition aboard the museum ship VITYAZ represents the history of ocean exploration since the first attempts of man to subdue the forces of sea until the present, and the nature of the World Ocean.

Visitors can see around the ship’s compartments, the former ship’s laboratories and library, historical and exhibition halls. Also, an ecological laboratory, a radio-room, and a marine classroom function aboard as well as clubs of polar explorers, ships’ captains, yachtsmen and young seamen. The ship was in excellent condition and I loved the dark wood furnishings.

At the romp of the ship was a section dedicated to the movie Titanic with a signed message from the director as well as a replica of the Oscar and other souvenirs. The bell that was used in the movie is also on display. Wow!

We also visited a section dedicated to exploring ocean depths. It was very interesting. The whole museum was interesting. Next stop was the aquarium. We couldn’t take any pictures inside because the flash is disturbing to the fish. We saw some amazing fish species.

Afterwards we had a stroll in the park and then we went home. We were invited to celebrate a birthday with friends in the evening. I was looking forward to that.