As luck would have it I smashed my right kneecap and left outer ankle while walking down the street in Calcutta. After surgery in Calcutta I decided to cancel the Vladivostok-Moskow trip (as well as Beijing/Harbin). Plus I got a serious infection and will be finally be released from a hospital here in the UAE this Saturday.

The sources mentioned (WayToRussia ans Seat61) have always been my main sources of info. WTR has provided quick invitations/confirmations on the 2 occasions I have used them. OTOH, The Russian Cousulate staff here are surely and a bit slack in terms of providing info for visa applications (and espcially prices) - trying to refer me to a "selected travel agent" to get the visa for me. So, I have on 2 occasions had my Russia Visas "created" in Ottawa, Canada where my son did the personal delivery/pick-up for me. They are pleasent, polite, super friendly, and work as fast as their regulations allowed. Last year I got a visa in 5 days by paying extra. This year it took 15 days exactly and got a nice hologrammed visa. This year there is no fast-track and no extra fee payment available. PLUS, the application form is different so make sure you download the latest version if you are doing so.

I still hear that train whistle. Perhaps next year..