I promised more details on today before going to bed and here it is. Our trip to Sochi began with a walk on the promenade. Sochi real estate is becoming very expensive, with one square meter now going for approximately $10,000. Its claim to fame is that of a health resort.

So, our first visit was to the Matsesta spa. In 1902 Dr Podgurskiy started the development of the spa facilities at the Matsesta sulphur springs, which gained Sochi immense popularity because of the spa's curative powers. The springs are recommended for rheumatic heart diseases, polyarthritis, neuralgia and skin conditions. The treatment is usually every other day for 15 minutes for ten treatments. This area has a highly varied base of mineral waters – deposits of sulphide waters, iodine-bromide, chloride, hydrocarbonate, alkaline waters and curative silts. Because of the amount and variety of mineral waters, Sochi takes a leading place among the world’s balneological resorts. The deposit of hydrogen sulphide waters called ‘Matsesta’ makes has created Sochi as a major Russian health resort. Today Sochi’s spa resorts offer unique highly effective integrated methods of health treatments and health recreation. In fact, experts as late as 1998 have tested the air and feel it offers the perfect microclimate.

Many sanatoria and hotels were built in the second half of the 20th century, with modern architecture. During the Soviet era, they belonged to different large Soviet organizations that sent their employees to Sochi for vacations. Now all sanatoria are privatized. Many of them are partly renovated and receive visitors throughout the year.

We then moved on to visit Stalin’s dacha. This was interestingly linked to the sanatoria concept. The Central Committee decided that they needed to look over their party leaders’ health and set up a special medical department that included health resorts.

Stalin wasn’t in good health. He had respiratory issues, a withered hand and psychological issues…he was afraid of flying and running water. So, this was one of 5 dachas built for him and his family. Lots of miserable things happened at this dacha…including murder and the suicide of his second wife.

It is a gloomy green, colored to camouflage itself in with the green grove, which is how it got its name…Zelenaya Roscha “The Green Grove.” We were taken through his billiard room, cinema room, indoor swimming pool, private library. We were then given refreshments.

We had a charming tour guide who told us stories about being called in for questioning by the KGB and what it was like. All in all, another very interesting port.

Tonight, we had a great dinner with Kathy and Pete and Pat and Fred…many laughs. We then wandered over to another LCT table with Mary Ellen, Jim, Brad, Leslie, Carol and Ralph and closed the dining room as usual. Then, Mary Ellen, Jim, Fred, Pat, Doug and I went up on deck and watched the moon dance on the water, nightcaps in hand, before turning in for the night. Tomorrow is a long day in Turkey…