Natasha was right about the weather, day two was rainy and low 60’s, but luckily most of our outdoor activities were yesterday. The day started out with a short bus ride to an authentic souvenir store and we watched folks buy up Faberge Eggs, Matryoska Dolls & Russian Fur Hats (yes I had to buy one too – check out the picture). Outside we saw a lady walking a dachshund wearing a raincoat so I jumped off the bus and chased her down the block to get a photo in the pouring rain (not sure what the rest of our tour group on the bus thought but us true doxie lovers know no limits of our affection)!
Back on the bus the next stop was the Peter & Paul Fortress which was the origin of St. Petersburg. It’s an island complex on the Neva River comprised of eleven structures. It was within this complex that the Romanov’s ruled and were buried as well as political prisoners housed and tortured including the son of Peter the Great who didn’t share his father’s political views. The golden spired cathedral is pictured inside and out and can be viewed from most points within the city.
After a short bus ride it was on to Palace Square where I was the only one to get off the bus in a downpour to film Rossi’s Arch with the bronze statues above it as well as The Alexander Column. It is here that military parades and important celebrations occur.
On our way to the Hermitage we stopped by the Church of the Spilled Blood for another photo opportunity. This Greek Orthodox Cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Russia and was the place where Alexander II was murdered. The exterior is embellished by 7,000 square meters of mosaic portraits of the saints, while the central mosaic depicts scenes from the Old Testament. The five colorful domes are covered by jeweler’s enamel. Unfortunately it was pouring the rain during our photo stop as I can only imagine how great the pictures would have been yesterday in the sunshine.
Before lunch we went to The State Museum (Hermitage) where we enjoyed some of the finest artwork assembled in a single place. I’ve got pictures of a Michelangelo’s statue “Young Boy Crouching” as well as two Leonardo da Vinci paintings. The Hermitage also houses works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh. I was overwhelmed by the National Gallery in London and the Pergamon in Berlin but the Hermitage was hands down the highlight of the entire trip. If you’re interested I’d encourage you to look up the museum on the internet and check out some of the works displayed there.
Following the Heritage visit we bused to a small venue where we were served another traditional Russian lunch of borsht (beet root soup) and fish…another growling stomach heading back to the ship for sure and I took pictures of the scrumptious feast for you all to enjoy. The building we were served in was a small museum and the ceiling was adorned with several religious carvings of Christ’s life (see pictures). While we dined a folkloric performance was presented…funky instruments with a man in tight tights singing along as accompaniment.
Following lunch the day ended with a visit to Yusupov Palace where the assassination of the Monk Rasputin took place (check out the creepy wax figures). The original pieces of artwork contained within this palace were moved to the Hermitage after the revolution in the early 1900’s. After two days of non-stop activities mom & I were certainly worn out but glad we experienced all that we were privileged to see and do. According to our Travel Agent who was on board Carnival did this cruise in 2002 as a single trial and it took them this long to align tours and get permission from the Russian government to include St. Petersburg in it’s Baltic itineraries. Ours was the first of four sailings this year and hopefully will be offered in the future.
Musical vibe for the Chapter: Beatles: “Back In the U.S.S.R.” (I know, how predictable)
Towel Fun: Swan
Back on the bus the next stop was the Peter & Paul Fortress which was the origin of St. Petersburg. It’s an island complex on the Neva River comprised of eleven structures. It was within this complex that the Romanov’s ruled and were buried as well as political prisoners housed and tortured including the son of Peter the Great who didn’t share his father’s political views. The golden spired cathedral is pictured inside and out and can be viewed from most points within the city.
After a short bus ride it was on to Palace Square where I was the only one to get off the bus in a downpour to film Rossi’s Arch with the bronze statues above it as well as The Alexander Column. It is here that military parades and important celebrations occur.
On our way to the Hermitage we stopped by the Church of the Spilled Blood for another photo opportunity. This Greek Orthodox Cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Russia and was the place where Alexander II was murdered. The exterior is embellished by 7,000 square meters of mosaic portraits of the saints, while the central mosaic depicts scenes from the Old Testament. The five colorful domes are covered by jeweler’s enamel. Unfortunately it was pouring the rain during our photo stop as I can only imagine how great the pictures would have been yesterday in the sunshine.
Before lunch we went to The State Museum (Hermitage) where we enjoyed some of the finest artwork assembled in a single place. I’ve got pictures of a Michelangelo’s statue “Young Boy Crouching” as well as two Leonardo da Vinci paintings. The Hermitage also houses works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh. I was overwhelmed by the National Gallery in London and the Pergamon in Berlin but the Hermitage was hands down the highlight of the entire trip. If you’re interested I’d encourage you to look up the museum on the internet and check out some of the works displayed there.
Following the Heritage visit we bused to a small venue where we were served another traditional Russian lunch of borsht (beet root soup) and fish…another growling stomach heading back to the ship for sure and I took pictures of the scrumptious feast for you all to enjoy. The building we were served in was a small museum and the ceiling was adorned with several religious carvings of Christ’s life (see pictures). While we dined a folkloric performance was presented…funky instruments with a man in tight tights singing along as accompaniment.
Following lunch the day ended with a visit to Yusupov Palace where the assassination of the Monk Rasputin took place (check out the creepy wax figures). The original pieces of artwork contained within this palace were moved to the Hermitage after the revolution in the early 1900’s. After two days of non-stop activities mom & I were certainly worn out but glad we experienced all that we were privileged to see and do. According to our Travel Agent who was on board Carnival did this cruise in 2002 as a single trial and it took them this long to align tours and get permission from the Russian government to include St. Petersburg in it’s Baltic itineraries. Ours was the first of four sailings this year and hopefully will be offered in the future.
Musical vibe for the Chapter: Beatles: “Back In the U.S.S.R.” (I know, how predictable)
Towel Fun: Swan
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