SOCHI (Russia's Black Sea resort), August 19 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a newly built tunnel in the Caucasus by driving in his Volga vintage car, the one in which he gave U.S. President George Bush "driving lessons".
The three-kilometer tunnel will link Sochi with five settlements in the mountains, including Krasnaya Polyana, a popular ski resort.
The president's arrival at the resort remained unnoticed for a while, as Putin arrived in his Volga car, unaccompanied by traffic police.
The news about Putin buying an ivory GAZ-21 Volga car made in 1956 broke on May 8 when he was receiving U.S. President Bush in his residence outside Moscow.
After negotiations and a short walk, the two presidents approached the car, which was parked nearby. Putin suggested that Bush try it, and explained to him the way the car should be driven. When passing by journalists, Bush slowed down and said Putin was giving him driving lessons.
