Of Wings and Whispers

[drron]

We were now meant to have ~ 2 hours free time walking the Nevsky Prospect but the rain was now bucketing down.So mrsdrron jumped at the chance of going to an enclosed shopping mall next to the main train station.First to the supermarket which certainly was well stocked-

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The New Zealanders were doing well in trade with some premium products-

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Sadly Australia's ownly contribution was this-

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On our trip to Moscow mrsdrron had found shoes reasonably priced in Russia and bought a pair.Still not badly priced but alas no success.She had also expressed a desire to send a postcard to the grandkids so on the way to lunch we stopped at the main Post Office-hardly any one there.It contains the marker measuring distances from St.Petersburg-

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[drron]

Next was lunch.Taken to a "pie"restaurant.Started with a mushroom soup and a salad mainly egg and potato.Both were nice-

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The pies were dry and not that tasty.A meat and a raspberry variety-

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Next off to the palace famous for a murder.Known as either the Yusupov palace but they actually owned 4 so really the Palace on Moika.A nice little place across the canal-

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The Yusupovs were very rich.by 1917 they had an art collection of over 40000 objects including many Rembrandts and several important sculptures.However to see them today you go to the Hermitage or the National Museum in Moscow.Several times you see "the original is in the Hermitage" or empty spaces with a similar message.Still an attractive place-

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There are still family portraits-

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[drron]

The murder of course was of Rasputin.It occurred on 17/12/1916.So the centennial this December.They have a display in the rooms involved-

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And pictures of the result.
The cellars are impressive-

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And how it looked in 1917-

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[drron]

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[drron]

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[Major]

Back in 1982, they never stamped your passport when you entered the country. Only the visa papers and when we left via the Polish border they took the visa back from us. So no record of ever entering the USSR although we did take photos of our passports, visas a map and Russian roubles, so we would have some evidence.

This is my USSR passport stamp from 1970

 

[drron]

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[drron]

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They even had their own theatre.A short performance by 4 singers was presented as part of the tour-

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[drron]

So the last room in the tour was the Oak room-

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Amazing detail in the woodwork.
Off now to a "gift store" where most tours end up.You can have a free shot of vodka though.After this was a visit to another cathedral.I asked if we could fit a quick visit to the cruiser Aurora in as it is of historical interest with a shot from it's guns signalling the start of the Bolshevik revolution but also we have a granddaughter Aurora.
The guide said it couldn't be fitted in but at the gift shop our driver was consulting his phone.He was looking at the traffic information and persuaded our guide that it could indeed be fitted in so that was next-

 

[drron]

So to the Aurora.It was still raining heavily but OK with an umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other-

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Nearby was the shack that Peter the Great lived in whilst the palace was being built-

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Next-St.Isaacs.

 

[drron]

So to St.Isaacs the largest Russian Orthodox church in the city and the largest in Russia until they built a larger one in Moscow.Stripped of it's icons after the revolution it became the Museum of religion and atheism.Now used as a church again.Original paintings inside but they deteriorated due to the cold,damp conditions so most are now mosaics.

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[drron]

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[EestiTiger]

All the pictures have been great, and what with SBS showing the history of the Romanovs over the last few weeks we are really excited for our visit next April.

Agree! Have been totally loving watching that SBS show and now the pictures to go with it

 

[drron]

Day off due to injury but back to St.Isaacs-

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[OATEK]

Day off due to injury but back to St.Isaacs

Doesn't sound good, although I assume it will have happened somewhere well away from St Petersburg judging from some posts elsewhere. I assume with the places that have been restored that "all that glisters is not gold" - at least in its purest sense. Otherwise there must be a fortune decorating the palaces and churches here.

 

[drron]

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Well this time in St.Petersburg has come to an end.Back to the ship for a cappuccino then I went to a performance by a jazz quartet on this cruise.There were about 70 Swiss on board and a Swiss jazz quartet-the Robi Weber quartet were giving shows.They were very good.On this occasion one of the passengers in the audience was recognised-he had been a drummer with the Count Basie orchestra 50+ years ago.Still good.

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And the special guest-

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[drron]

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As the concert continued we slowly cruised out of the Neva River-

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[drron]

Doesn't sound good, although I assume it will have happened somewhere well away from St Petersburg judging from some posts elsewhere. I assume with the places that have been restored that "all that glisters is not gold" - at least in its purest sense. Otherwise there must be a fortune decorating the palaces and churches here.

Yes currently ensconced in a barn in Devon.Sprained ankle yesterday but making a rapid recovery fortunately.

 

[drron]

The last of the Neva River pics-

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Into bed early and woke up next morning in Helsinki with these views from our suite-

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We have been to Helsinki before so just a stroll around town-

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Mrsdrron assured me we didn't have enough time to go to the Expo.
We did find a little bit of Australia though.The first should be back home with JohnM-

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And RM's boots at $A750 didn't seem a bargain.

 

[drron]

As we walked further up the main street from the port I realised I was being stalked-

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By an 87 year old Japanese artist.Leave me alone Yasoi!
Helsinki has become a lot dearer in the 6 years since we first visited 6 years ago.Mrsdrron thought it good shopping then but not now.She did manage to find a pair of Italian shoes though.Back to the ship through the market.Fruit looked good but expensive.

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Once again the Stockholm ferry berthed behind us.

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A nap after lunch.Venetian Society coughtail Party and dinner with the Captain.Two UK couples who live in the USA and a Scots couple.Great night.As usual hit it off with the Scot.Before that though we sailed out of Helsinki.

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