Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[Pushka]

Isn't St Petersburg a great place? Did you see the Amber Room at Catherin's Palace?

Fountains at Peterhof are all gravity fed.

Off there today. Plus Hermitage. Big day. But now we are off on the subway.

 

[turtlemichael]

Pushka, did you have to have a photo permit anywhere? I'm just wondering about our need for roubles.

 

[drron]

Some places you needed to have a camera permit.
The one good thing about Russia is that the exchange rate is basically fixed so get the same at banks,agencies or your hotel.However difficult to exchange $A.$US is preferred and often accepted for payment of said permits.

 

[Pushka]

Pushka, did you have to have a photo permit anywhere? I'm just wondering about our need for roubles.

Credit card in stores. Visa not Amex. SPB tours gave us the tokens for the subway. I withdrew 5000 roubles from an ATM at the cruise port for lunch but have only used 1000 and I tried to pay today but I couldn't break the larger note. Think I'll pay the guide tip in roubles to get rid of them. There's no need for roubles.

We've not been asked to get that photo permit and have just finished Hermitage. Off to Catherine's Palace in a few minutes.
There's the marathon finish line just outside the Hermitage and there are physio's everywhere and the guys were keen to finish early and get a massage for aching backs.

 

[Pushka]

Another long bus ride and wifi so another update.

The subway was typical stuff except the subs go very very fast even as they approached the stations.

This is Maria our guide



Very long and very fast elevator




So fast on approach it's blurred.



Taking us to Russia's newest sub station and the worlds deepest station. That info I did not need.

 

[Pushka]

They like this guy here. Peter someone.


Then it was a short walk to The Hermitage. The Marathon finish line and all it's mess spoiled the entry.


We had early entry at 10.20. I cannot imagine what it was like without them.

 

[Pushka]

This bus wifi is so fast! Faster than home.

 

[Pushka]

The Peacock Clock. Apparently it's well known



Cute little garden.

 

[Pushka]

I think we are Museum'd out but the 2 days here have been fabulous.
Last visit - Katherine's palace. Can only imagine what it would have been like if naz_s didn't blow it up.

 

[Pushka]

We then entered the Amber Room. What a shame we can't take photos.

We then saw the queue for non guide people. Our guide estimated 2-3 hours. Tip: Book a Tour to visit.

We came outside to a beautiful sunny afternoon.


The queue

 

[Pushka]

We are now on the highway back to the ship avoiding the cbd as the roads are still closed from the Marathon. Apparently some buses got stuck on the bridges as they closed the road mid tour meaning that ship tour people had to walk (more) miles.

 

[Pushka]

Wow. On the freeway we scored the display from the Russian Air Force. Pictures taken from a speeding bus. Pretty happy with them. Fabulous noise.

 

[drron]

SP is wonderful isn't it.Brings back memories.
Fabulous shots of the Air Force.

 

[Pushka]

SP is wonderful isn't it.Brings back memories.
Fabulous shots of the Air Force.

It's a snapshot of a bygone era in a different way. Nothing like Rome or Paris which has such cultural continuity.

 

[VPS]

All those photos do bring back wonderful memories. I really loved it and loved Moscow as well

 

[RooFlyer]

Your pic contrasted with what was left after the siege of Lenningrad:






I was amazed that it was the Soviets who restored this Tsarist palace.

 

[OATEK]

View attachment 101210

There is no doubt these Faberge eggs are amazing works of art, but the single item that most attracted me was this.

Delicate and lifelike.

 

[OZDUCK]

There is no doubt these Faberge eggs are amazing works of art, but the single item that most attracted me was this.
View attachment 101498


Did you see the press reports about one of these being "found" on the Antiques Road Show in the UK this year? https://tenplay.com.au/news/national/june-2017/antique-roadshows-millionpound-faberge-find


A Million pounds would be a nice surprise!

 

[Pushka]

Tallin is gorgeous. Excellent quality souvenirs plus quality handmade crafts. Very tempting. If only they sold suitcases . The woolen and linen products are beautiful and great value.
Very busy though. Five large cruise lines here today. We decided to climb up the top which with 'natural selection' would rule out most.

There's Seabourn Quest, Viking Star, Regal or Royal Princess, Us, and Aida.

 

[OZDUCK]

Tallin is gorgeous. Excellent quality souvenirs plus quality handmade crafts. Very tempting. If only they sold suitcases . The woolen and linen products are beautiful and great value.
Very busy though. Five large cruise lines here today. We decided to climb up the top which with 'natural selection' would rule out most.
View attachment 101512
There's Seabourn Quest, Viking Star, Regal or Royal Princess, Us, and Aida.

View attachment 101513

View attachment 101514

View attachment 101515

View attachment 101516

Good photos Pushka, and I agree that Tallinn is gorgeous. But, that seagull must be a permanent fixture at that lookout - we have about 1/2/ dozen of him as well. Obviously smarter than the average seagull.