Suva, Fiji
Temp: 81 °F / 27.2 °C
Wind: 0.0 KMH
Light Showers Rain
OFFBEAT NEWS
August 05, 2009 11:31:09 AM

Striding through grassy fields in an Indiana Jones-style hat, climbing trees in leopard country -- just another day in an increasingly adventurous summer for Russia's strongman Vladimir Putin.

The prime minister, who in the last days alone has dived in a mini-submarine to the floor of the world's deepest lake and attached a transmitter to a whale, was this time visiting the remote Russian region of Tuva in southern Siberia.

Putin, dressed in a green fatigues, camped out overnight, rafted down the region's fast flowing rivers and visited a traditional farmstead, Russian news agencies said.

Pictures taken by his press entourage show him striding through savannah-like fields in ankle-high boots and a hat reminiscent of the Hollywood action hero Indiana Jones.

In another image, Putin was shown nestled on the thick branch of a tree, surveying the scene around with quiet authority.

A pose, in fact, that appeared to imitate the fabled snow leopard, one the region's most endangered species.

Russian news agencies described the day's activities as a "holiday" for the premier, although it was clearly aimed at reinforcing his tough-guy image that plays so well at home.

None of the pictures, however, showed Putin in any state of undress, unlike a famous set of images from a past holiday that showed him fishing in Siberia with an impressively muscled naked torso.

Tuva is one of Russia's most remote and exotic regions, populated by a Turkic people famous worldwide for their astonishing throat-singing.

The holiday was as brief as it was dramatic and by the afternoon Putin was seen at working meeting on agriculture in central Russia. On Thursday, he is due to make an official visit to Turkey.

* Get the latest and hottest Hollywood Gossip (Txt SUB HGS to 777) or Bollywood Gossip (Txt SUB BGS to 777) now.

Post a Comment
Bookmark and Share
Posted Comments
No comments, but you can post the first comment!
LOCAL
Water tablets campaign underwayThe Fiji Red Cross is working jointly with the Ministry of Health in spreading awareness about the use of water purification tablets.
SPORTS
Hosts send Fiji to plate at the deathFiji has been relegated to the plate competition at the Adelaide sevens after a young resilient Australian side scored a last minute try to register an impressive 26-22 win in their Cup quarterfinal showdown.
BUSINESS
Steel price increase approvedSteel prices in Fiji have increased by up to eight percent following the Commerce Commission’s approval of a submission by Fletcher Pacific Steel.
WORLD
Chinese media hits out at GoogleChinese media unleashed a torrent of criticism against Google on Saturday after reports it would leave the country, with state news agency Xinhua alleging the company was linked to US intelligence.
ENTERTAINMENT
Playmate's heirs left pennilessA US federal appeals court ruled Friday that Anna Nicole Smith's heirs will not receive a penny of the more than 300 million dollars she claimed to her billionaire husband's inheritance.
FIJIAN
Tekivu na vuli e na ciwaSa vakadeitaka na minisitiri ni vuli ni na tekivutaki tiko na vuli e na ciwa na kaloko na vei mataka, ka sega e na walu.