Sochi

Sochi

The first stop was not in Sochi but 68 kilometres up into the mountains to Krasnaya Pollyanna. There were just a few houses here until Sochi won the bid to hold the winter Olympics and a new ski resort plus new road and trail connections were built. The town hall.

A view down the river that runs through the centre with a series of buildings, mainly hotels and apartments to rent.

Then up a ski lift to a midway station but very different from when it is covered in snow. I went on to the top at over 2,300 metres but the low cloud obscured the view and there was nothing to see.

A lunch time stop at an Armenian style restaurant with function rooms and a museum.

A detail of stairs leading up to the restaurant.

The museum and gift shop next door which were both closed.

Katchapuri, a pitta style diamond of dough with cheese in the middle, baked in the oven and served with a freshly cracked egg in the middle plus salad.

The local fish farm where my main course had been raised.

Another shot to give an idea of size. These are Golden Rainbow Trout.

Then it was a list to the Olympic village on the edge of Sochi complete with a funfair and rollercoaster.

One of the many stadiums on site.

And another.

Another side view of the stadium.

And a Formula One race track has been built around and in between some of the buildings on site and this is the main grandstand.

 And a view of the main grandstand from one end.

 The Olympic Torch in the centre of the Medal Square.

The monument to the winners of gold, silver and bronze medals...

 ...a close up of the central globe...

 ...and some of the names of winners.