Anticipation is tangible on board this morning. For many of the travellers this city is the pinnacle for their trip and I have to say for me too. A dream come true in a sense. I never expected to stand in this city of treasures and historical significance. All the books I have read will now have a focus.
Security is stringent today and time consuming you do not mess with the Russian immigration officials. Getting a smile out of them has become a tradition for the crew. We had to get past the ship security first as we are all screened not just the non EU passport holders but eventually we made it to the bus which was waiting for us to transport us on the Grand Tour of the city. Sadly in the rain and thirteen degrees. Than goodness I bought my puffer vest it has been outstanding and the brolley has done service as well.
We drove around some of the sights and had some photo shots at key places of interest. The first was at the outlook over the Nevada River. The views would be lovely on a nice day.The two Rostral columns dominate the bridge over the river, they feature prows of ships and a figurehead with gas burners aloft to fire up for celebrations.
We saw The Cathedral of St Isaac's with its eye catching golden dome. No expenses spared to create a city of magnificence by Peter the Great to replicate other great cities in Europe such as Amsterdam and Versailles.
Our guide was excellent and filled our heads with facts and figures about the history of St Petersburg or Leningrad or Petrograd, whatever political flavour was on top.
We drove up the main street, Nevsky Prospect which is where Brad and Jack stayed to see all the shopping hotels,cafes etc before stopping for a coffee at a souvenir shop packed with all the items discussed by Carl at our lectures on board so it was difficult to know what was authentic and what was not so I did not succumb.
We had lunch in a venue designed for tourists I suspect as we were treated to a performance while we ate of traditional folk music and dancing,all in a fairly small space. The three course meal was traditional Russian fare and served with a glass of bubbly and an entre of caviar on white bread.
Just nearby was the Ascot Hotel (?) where Hitler booked for his celebratory party once he captured the city during WW 2. Invitations had been sent out but the brave citizens of the city defeated him in a massive effort and the city was never conquered by Hitler so the party was a dismal failure.
After lunch we were driven to the Hermitage Museum where we had to queue for a long time in the cold for tickets. Once we got inside it was manic!!!!
The guide was excellent but it was scary thinking you might get lost from the party as there were so many tour groups thronging the halls and filling the corridors but we did have excellent little speakers with earphones so we could hear her commentary. The building is magnificent, the staircase took my breath away and the rich adornments were spectacular. We were there for a couple of hours but it would take days to see the palace in its entirety so I am just grateful for the opportunity to be here.
Our visit to see the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled blood was eagerly anticipated but what a let down. We were dropped off in the Peace Park to make our way across in the rain to get a glimpse of the iconic building.Photos do not do well in rainy conditions but I can say I did see it. I took photos for Beryl in the park of the lilacs in flower.What a perfume they give off after rain.
We then drove along the boulevards passing many of the palaces of the Romanov family which today serve as museums and public administration buildings.
Our last stop for the day was at the tomb of the Romanov in a Church beside the river. It was on an island and was where Peter the Great started his dream of building the city of St Petersburg.
Then it was back to the boat for tea but we were running late so I ended up transferring onto the bus for the ballet at the terminal so no chance to dress up in my special jacket bought with Lynne before I left Dunedin. I had to go in my day clothes but we were not in the main theatre of the Marinjinsky so nobody cared as everyone was from cruise ships. A disappointment not to be in the main theatre though,you are led to believe you are but the performance of Swan Lake was worth it and the costuming was brilliant.
It was a long day by the time we got through the Soviet inquisition and up to my cabin but what a tapestry of images and experiences I have enjoyed.
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