The view from the pier just after we arrived; you can see the Russian naval ensign flying off the stern, with the naval jack on the bow. When we got off, this entire section was filled with people waiting to get on. I don't think any of them did.
The missile tubes from alongside, while we were waiting to get on the ship.
The superstructure from alongside.
From another angle.
And her radar tower.
Another angle.
Not really sure what the boat in the foreground is for; maybe the harbor launch or something?
The ship's band was pretty good; they had a nice twist on Калинка.
While waiting in line near the gangplank; they only let 30 of us on at a time.
Not quite sure what all the deck fixtures amidships are, nor the tower in the background, though I think that's another radar.
The forward twin turret, with the Bay Bridge and part of the waterfront in the background.
This warning on the side of the turret reads something like "Do not come near the turret while in operation - DANGER!"
The Russian naval jack on the bow.
This was on the foredeck in front of the turret; I'm unable to translate the label, although I my dictionary tells me "беречься" means "to beware" or something like that, and "буксир" can be a tugboat, tug, or tow rope.
Detail of the port-side forward missile tubes.
This was taken in the port-side corridor under the missile tubes; note the helpful labeling on the life preserver, just in case you forgot what ship you were on.
The view from near the aft deck looking forward. The track system on the deck is for ferrying missiles to the tubes and such.
Not sure what the purpose of this gun is. ASW? AA work? Flares?
These were pretty much everywhere along the sides of the ship, except on the stern and bow. The center label says, "Throw overboard and jerk attached line" I believe, while the surrounding text says, "ДЛЯ ??ИБЕ?ЕИЙ ? ДЕЙСТВИЕ." In English, it becomes "for (something) (something) actions/operations." According to my SWAG, these are the ship's life rafts, something semi-supported by the writing on their sides, which said, "ОДОБРЕН МОРСКИМ СУДОХОДСТВА," or "approved for maritime shipping."
The view astern, with the ship's helicopter and the Russian naval ensign. The hatch reads, "DANGER - doors (well, roofs/covers) open automatically."
The case for one of the port-side mooring lines (I think). I'm on the stairs in the hooded sweatshirt.
One view of the ship's helicopter; the little tag inside the cockpit says "remove cover ПВД." A quick Google search gave ПВД аs "Приемник воздушного давления." I'm not sure how to translate that. The little insignia on the door reads "ЗА ДАЛЬНЕМ ПОХОД," as I recall, which means "to the furthest reaches" or something like that.
"Look, mommy, I'm flying a helicopter!" The sailors were all pretty nice if you spoke Russian (none of them spoke any English whatsoever); they were letting kids have their picture taken inside the helicopter and stuff. I also saw one of them give a pack of cigarettes to one of the Russian immigrants who came aboard. It was kinda funny and sad seeing our "guide" read from his phonetic crib sheet after he lead us to the foredeck; he was pretty obviously uncomfortable doing so, though he was very understandable.
We found this thing amidships; I haven't a damned clue what it is.
The mystery object from the front.
They even put up a helpful poster telling you vital facts about the ship. Too bad for most of the visitors it was all in Russian. I can put up a transcription and translation of the all the text if people want me to.
