tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30149190078369052732024-03-05T19:14:35.748+02:00From Russia with LoveIt has always been Patty's dream to visit Russia - and now the dream is coming true! We will spend 14 days on a "Waterways of the Tsars" cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow starting on 23rd June 2010.
Photo from Viking Cruises - www.vikingrivercruises.comSilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-65768096937134869812010-08-23T21:34:00.002+02:002010-08-24T17:34:25.102+02:00Viking Kirov rammed by a barge in the Rybinks Reservoir18th August:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgVcJbJ5drw3HPz0PV8Tty1igrUDmKNknCqSkQiMugaLFftJM2Y986CXkFZsaO0DdIVV5zXZU8qFevi-C7wozQf9KYdoPrXrLZPb9GYY0ydvsLMI6QmEgXtf7wu5WVM6OWKWzVKEIumZF/s1600/kirov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgVcJbJ5drw3HPz0PV8Tty1igrUDmKNknCqSkQiMugaLFftJM2Y986CXkFZsaO0DdIVV5zXZU8qFevi-C7wozQf9KYdoPrXrLZPb9GYY0ydvsLMI6QmEgXtf7wu5WVM6OWKWzVKEIumZF/s320/kirov.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Early Wednesday morning a sand barge ran into the Russian river cruise ship, Sergei Kirov, causing damage to the starboard side of the cruise ship. Kirov is operated by Viking River Cruises and was currently on a 13-day European cruise from St. Petersburg, Russia to Moscow, Russia. The Huffington Post reported that the collision occurred in the Rybinsk Reservoir, with none of the 202 passengers and 91 crew members suffering any injuries.<br />
Although there were no reported injuries, the passengers and crew faced the inconvenience of a shortened cruise itinerary. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NEbbLDbBualwxDz8WrNEo0SbT7zpNQHfcfGjusEEkA5S587-N_7y9wWrZ8UszXYioqDyhBUS-FlC-QCt9tJxlSCjvjy7nElTcRkuAw_TsK_P9wgo5Z_u3vHos4S79Nu_Zn1bi6wEQhr/s1600/Tsars+Waterways2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NEbbLDbBualwxDz8WrNEo0SbT7zpNQHfcfGjusEEkA5S587-N_7y9wWrZ8UszXYioqDyhBUS-FlC-QCt9tJxlSCjvjy7nElTcRkuAw_TsK_P9wgo5Z_u3vHos4S79Nu_Zn1bi6wEQhr/s320/Tsars+Waterways2.JPG" width="226" /></a></div>The 13-day cruise started in St. Petersburg, Russia on August 10, 2010 and was expected to arrive in Moscow on August 22, 2010. After departing Yaroslavl on the evening of August 17, 2010, the Viking Kirov sailed north, up the Volga River and into the Rybinsk Reservoir, Russia's largest man-made lake.<br />
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Officials said: “The crew listed the ship immediately and began bailing water out and removing property from [flooded] cabins. The water was pumped out, and a patch was improvised from inside.” <br />
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Two ships were sent to evacuate passengers, but eighty-three of them refused to travel on a lower-class ship than the Sergei Kirov, so a third motor ship had to be sent for them.<br />
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Since the incident occured it has been reported that the captain of the barge was sent for a breathalyzer test...Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-20544990309704932672010-07-16T15:16:00.001+02:002010-07-16T15:44:31.686+02:00Why a River Cruise?Some people – actually most people – asked, “Why Russia?” And, “Why a river cruise?”<br />
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The first question is easy to answer – that was Patty’s dream. Maybe it was because Shaun was passionate about Russian history, about Kings and Queens, Russian fairy tales and the Russian military. Patty became interested when Shaun bought books on Russia, St Petersburg and Moscow and on Russian art and architecture. <br />
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<strong>Why a river cruise?</strong><br />
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I’m going to quote Howard Shernoff here again. “You cruise Russia because no other way of touring the country comes remotely close to providing the comprehensiveness, depth and convenience of overall travel.”<br />
<ol><li>A river cruise is like being on a floating hotel. You only unpack once and stay in the same room for nearly 2 weeks. </li>
<li>The cruise personnel transfer you from airport to boat and back again at the end of the cruise.</li>
<li>You have three meals a day, free tea,coffee, hot chocolate etc all day, cocktail hour, 5 star cuisine and complimentary wine at dinner. </li>
<li>The cruise includes land excursions to many places of interest, with an experienced guide. </li>
<li>You visit places on islands not reached by car or train. </li>
<li>You don't have to stand in queues for tickets, tour groups are often ushered through without having to wait too long.</li>
<li>You are offered optional guided excursions.</li>
<li>You are offered lectures on Russian history, language lessons, vodka tasting etc.,</li>
<li>You are treated like a special guest. </li>
</ol>I can’t imagine backpacking across Russia – not at our age! Nor could I imagine travelling around Russia by car; 10 000km of potholed roads from West to East, maps and signs in Cyrillic, no ultra-cities to stop at.<br />
Many people asked why we didn’t go by train. Patty and I did think about the famous Siberian Express but were warned that many trains have only basic facilities, small compartments, inaccessible for wheelchairs, getting on and off the train would be difficult so that wasn’t really an option. And besides, unless you are fluent in Russian, can read Cyrillic and know exactly where you are going and how to get there, I think sightseeing by train would present the same problems as going by road.<br />
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There are hundreds of River Boats cruising between Moscow – St Petersburg – Moscow, from 1 star to 5 star. We originally booked on the Rus – a 3 star boat - but had to change when we found that it didn’t have a lift and there was no way Patty would’ve been able to climb up and down those steep, spiral stairs to dining rooms and bars.<br />
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I Googled “Russian river boats with elevators” and discovered the Viking Cruise boats. They have been recently refurbished and now offer 5 star accommodation and cuisine. <br />
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We would highly recommend a river cruise in Russia (but not if you are disabled – read the previous post.)Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-63111225053381035272010-07-14T20:15:00.004+02:002010-07-14T21:15:40.983+02:00Russian Cruises for people with disabilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Due to a respiratory disorder Patty has a partial disability, can only walk for short distances, and has difficulty climbing stairs. Because of this we decided to hire a wheelchair to take with us to Russia. We considered taking her little motorised scooter but it is heavy and the battery constantly needs recharging. If the battery ran down whilst on an excursion we could have been in trouble! <br />
We knew beforehand that there would be challenges as the question about disabled guests is covered on the Viking River Cruises website.<br />
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<strong>Q: Will the ship be able to accommodate a disabled passenger? What about the shore excursions?</strong><br />
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<em><strong>A:</strong> Viking River Cruises welcomes disabled guests but wishes all guests to understand that challenges will exist on board and during shore excursions. Some ships have elevators and some do not; some ships have split-level decks and/or significant thresholds that could make movement difficult. Under appropriate circumstances guests are permitted to use motorized scooters and wheelchairs on board. Shore excursions may require movement over cobblestones or up and down stairs; accordingly, a physically challenged guest will require the services of a responsible adult since crew availability is severely limited in most circumstances.</em> <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4-i92ic1l6cug-4ykP_txkTSa5VDmHwxuF3bnlAJ_CJQKvPZ2UovoP9Jsfj-_O-egrHgvbxodYItO5rLLgiWSjHbPJzx_dhH0Zic1xoNSo8CJl23BfBSf2EEt1wPNLwYlTfG1ixKM22O/s1600/Day+3+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4-i92ic1l6cug-4ykP_txkTSa5VDmHwxuF3bnlAJ_CJQKvPZ2UovoP9Jsfj-_O-egrHgvbxodYItO5rLLgiWSjHbPJzx_dhH0Zic1xoNSo8CJl23BfBSf2EEt1wPNLwYlTfG1ixKM22O/s200/Day+3+001.JPG" width="186" /></a><strong>So what were the challenges?</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>On the boat</em></strong></div><ul><li>As there were usually two or three boats moored alongside each other, it wasn't possible to get her over the raised frames of the boat doorways while she was in the chair. She had to get out of the wheelchair and step over the frames and step up and down the ramps that join the two or three boats together and walk through two or three boats to get to the Kirov. A person who cannot walk would not be able to do this. This could have been overcome with extra, portable platforms at the same level as the gangways that join the boats. </li>
<li>The cabins are fairly small so Patty had to walk around inside the cabin. It was not spacious enough for the wheelchair to manoeuvre inside so she would not have managed if she was a permanent wheelchair user.</li>
<li>Most wheelchairs require doorways to be between 32" and 36" wide and her chair only just fitted through the door. A motorised chair would not have fitted through the door.</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiQipS8N1wVMnbfN2VjkK6SLcu3oV1JhvaoOcr0c6Jkh8TCK7EOvImlAj69chZE1T5d6mf14dKY7QhXGqtM0lAKFYBcpMHjd2kphfxOEAqgJqCAuRY4CH2W12-bRlvvidAN5lVFgixWfS/s1600/Saturday+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiQipS8N1wVMnbfN2VjkK6SLcu3oV1JhvaoOcr0c6Jkh8TCK7EOvImlAj69chZE1T5d6mf14dKY7QhXGqtM0lAKFYBcpMHjd2kphfxOEAqgJqCAuRY4CH2W12-bRlvvidAN5lVFgixWfS/s200/Saturday+002.JPG" width="186" /></a></div>
<li>A paraplegic or more disabled person would not have been able to access the en suite shower room and toilet as it is raised off the cabin floor. In addition it is too small to accommodate a wheelchair. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI0AqSvF8RootZRrQe3k5bQK-A16K84aux8sq8dNwLoEzNpxqp3HcXoPaJikXeAyFhgZ4rUt4nzvVO5CiCINnFsIzif65q58iVI6kgDNu4-guJU7ZZWoJfSPEXs91i5D7h19BlKLOnws5/s1600/Day+3+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI0AqSvF8RootZRrQe3k5bQK-A16K84aux8sq8dNwLoEzNpxqp3HcXoPaJikXeAyFhgZ4rUt4nzvVO5CiCINnFsIzif65q58iVI6kgDNu4-guJU7ZZWoJfSPEXs91i5D7h19BlKLOnws5/s200/Day+3+028.JPG" width="186" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZkUyGcDYagK4XY1S7z3O1yaeHrRKQMFD3fMRIFChzrjiAwGItm2afkjQhRK6FoOnctszEnGOcL-VIlWtBdP0GVfxaS1FsCUoMMhGfz1RjdSVOV7lG4q_XXXfwn1NdwSTrXsruOifPt1/s1600/Day+5+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZkUyGcDYagK4XY1S7z3O1yaeHrRKQMFD3fMRIFChzrjiAwGItm2afkjQhRK6FoOnctszEnGOcL-VIlWtBdP0GVfxaS1FsCUoMMhGfz1RjdSVOV7lG4q_XXXfwn1NdwSTrXsruOifPt1/s200/Day+5+028.JPG" width="186" /></a></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There is only one lift (elevator) on the boat, at the aft, and as our cabin was close to the forward reception it meant a long walk/push to get to the elevator and access the dining room and bars on higher decks. The spiral staircases are very steep and the steps are narrow. If the elevator had broken down Patty would have been restricted to the main deck where our cabin was situated.</div></li>
<li>The space between the cabin walls and the spiral stairs was so narrow that we only just managed to get the wheelchair through. </li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The passages are narrow and when the cleaners stacked packages of clean towels or cleaning equipment in the passage-ways, we had to keep moving them aside to get past.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the dining room, the tables were arranged close together and it was often impossible for Patty to get to the buffet at breakfast and lunch time. </div></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>On </strong><strong>Land:</strong></div><div></div><ul><li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were picked up at the airport in a bus that is not accessible for disabled people. This would be the first hurdle for a paraplegic or other disabled person to overcome.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">None of the buses used on the land excursions were accessible - ie: no ramp or hoist. These are high, modern coaches and although Patty was able to climb up the few steps into the bus with some assistance, a more disabled person would not be able to get into the buses. </div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In St Petersburg there was a long ramp down to the pier where the boat was moored so it was fairly easy to get off and back onto the boat. In Uglich, Patty had to climb 23 steps to get to the village path for the walking tour of the town.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Very few of the churches, monuments, palaces, museums etc we visited are accessible for disabled people. Patty was able to climb the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEML_aT2QW2nNgEZ-YBgv0zO4loiA9PFpUpZ_OhDRVB9L5XHsN4tOknMBCoR1SD9yua7v6GTvp2HNlHQmlV6ZJgAXv5XfzVGHLfIqiAXJTQPFBv4TYisWEVbjxR-MXUlbQko9-z4VVuAQ/s1600/Day+11+-+Moscow+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEML_aT2QW2nNgEZ-YBgv0zO4loiA9PFpUpZ_OhDRVB9L5XHsN4tOknMBCoR1SD9yua7v6GTvp2HNlHQmlV6ZJgAXv5XfzVGHLfIqiAXJTQPFBv4TYisWEVbjxR-MXUlbQko9-z4VVuAQ/s200/Day+11+-+Moscow+004.JPG" width="149" /></a>stairs to the Hermitage and used the elevator inside to get to the upper rooms (even though our guide told us that the elevator was out of order), but she missed out on a lot of places because she couldn't climb the stairs to get into the buildings and would not have been able to climb the stairs inside the buildings.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Patty managed at Mandrogy, Kizhi and Uglich but only with the help of a few willing passengers who helped push the chair on wooden boardwalks, gravel and cobbled paths.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the towns and villages there were very few places that had ramps off the sidewalks or at intersections. Often Patty had to get out of the chair so that I could lift it up onto the pavement.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A common difficulty was cobblestones - which we found in most places we visited. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mvMHQjUHBQHElwCH2BSKE_c2PngLSbvK11FJzOUtJQDXJAQ1aQVhOEPCjdCbZ-3Sr0kc2SnSaPvbwDfVbYiwx7YTpnVxoDjD6nXK2uJyAYWgVAZin4d79wUt4ter6Awkud1FtzsCJ5Js/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mvMHQjUHBQHElwCH2BSKE_c2PngLSbvK11FJzOUtJQDXJAQ1aQVhOEPCjdCbZ-3Sr0kc2SnSaPvbwDfVbYiwx7YTpnVxoDjD6nXK2uJyAYWgVAZin4d79wUt4ter6Awkud1FtzsCJ5Js/s200/IMG_0123.JPG" width="186" /></a></div></li>
</ul>The cost of the various tours and excursions are included in the the price of the cruise and a disabled person would have to forgo most of them as they are inaccessible due to architectural and other barriers.<br />
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<strong>Excursions Included in the Viking Cruise:</strong><br />
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<strong>St Petersburg:</strong> <br />
Hermitage Visit (entrance up a flight of stairs) and evening performance of Swan lake (not accessible - Patty didn't go).<br />
Pushkin Palace (limited accessibility) afternoon City Tour of St Petersburg.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfNC6oj-6osmMdzOfbpCOKOtb301FinUMpctXPFUs1ajrzT-3L1tAU3D-tk0pA_DtwLvKvPOoOy910FaU6P-PDdSqg7lhSrpRXDzHB-JxG7OlzIcVsW5_g7N4p2DTfyB42dMWaOdMRn3d/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfNC6oj-6osmMdzOfbpCOKOtb301FinUMpctXPFUs1ajrzT-3L1tAU3D-tk0pA_DtwLvKvPOoOy910FaU6P-PDdSqg7lhSrpRXDzHB-JxG7OlzIcVsW5_g7N4p2DTfyB42dMWaOdMRn3d/s200/IMG_0101.JPG" width="186" /></a><br />
<ul></ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><ul><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>Mandrogy</em></strong> (limited accessibility)</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>Kizhi</em></strong> Walking Tour (limited accessibility)</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><strong>Goritzy</strong></em> (limited accessibility - monastery not accessible, see cobble stone paths)</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>Yaroslavl</em></strong> - Coach and Walking tour. (Limited accessibility to churches or monuments)</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>Moscow</em></strong> - City Tour and Metro (not accessible): Red Square, Gum Dept Store and free time (for some reason, those who did not go on the metro were kept on the bus for 2 hours instead of being taken to the Red Square): Walking tour of the Kremlin.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMSlIUvpOc33RrO4ltXiAGRSMiDssgBiPbvnl2qy8kfT06nQ7PSYckKJh0zUB1CaLvSAKZ_Tg8fqiSRh0T-9TRNT7kR-IbdfHSZZv8dy-fTo5ckWvqwiaBYLj4uwdL9RcDfN16rMMcaCT/s1600/Cobbles+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMSlIUvpOc33RrO4ltXiAGRSMiDssgBiPbvnl2qy8kfT06nQ7PSYckKJh0zUB1CaLvSAKZ_Tg8fqiSRh0T-9TRNT7kR-IbdfHSZZv8dy-fTo5ckWvqwiaBYLj4uwdL9RcDfN16rMMcaCT/s200/Cobbles+053.JPG" width="186" /></a>Besides all the challenges, we thoroughly enjoyed our river cruise and Patty was able to more than she thought she'd be able to do. This was because she can walk and was able to get in and out of the bus and in and out of the wheelchair when necessary.(<a href="http://www.amawaterways.com/">http://www.amawaterways.com/</a> are advertising a new ship to be launched in 2011 - the Katarina - that will have large, wheelchair accessible cabins and en suites. However, this doesn't change the inaccessibility of the many places in Russia that one would hope to visit. I honestly cannot recommend a Russian River cruise to someone who uses a wheelchair permanently or who needs a walker unless they are prepared to be confined to a floating hotel for 12 days and forgo all the sightseeing tours and excursions that are included in the cruise price. </div></li>
</ul></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-44146495194240445622010-07-11T17:43:00.004+02:002010-07-13T12:47:54.623+02:00General impressions of Russia<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnH42rUn_JtMdCpwadprTn1fOHKzrWxWsMRkK0fkn5F_8aWQ-ikU-9nQfLx4LhtQlrbkDDpdJBTJr9fz9g9319EWXed365fYDjFW_0gJLu3KS9KiyGizrSPcvragc8h4LWjSQpwVI29gY/s1600/Tsars+Waterways.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnH42rUn_JtMdCpwadprTn1fOHKzrWxWsMRkK0fkn5F_8aWQ-ikU-9nQfLx4LhtQlrbkDDpdJBTJr9fz9g9319EWXed365fYDjFW_0gJLu3KS9KiyGizrSPcvragc8h4LWjSQpwVI29gY/s320/Tsars+Waterways.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>We only visited a minute part of Western Russia, the largest country on the planet, 10 000 kms wide (6 300 miles) from West to East, with 14 neighbouring countries - Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, North Korea, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>58% of Russia consists of Siberia and much of that vast land is uninhabited. We can only comment on the small part of Russia that we visited on our 1300km cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow.</strong></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQHg5zw9fdF-NmjiN1MFQzsj9O1Cd7r-ZOYBXJPqStluU-mwz_I730erZZmK_u0R13hbHBl-y5NYVstrKlY1rQWucw6BVyyQdTnY7y4lkBpR3LlCCin4gaoxKk1Y5Kg0zMpYle04MBLkO/s1600/StPetersburgchimneys2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQHg5zw9fdF-NmjiN1MFQzsj9O1Cd7r-ZOYBXJPqStluU-mwz_I730erZZmK_u0R13hbHBl-y5NYVstrKlY1rQWucw6BVyyQdTnY7y4lkBpR3LlCCin4gaoxKk1Y5Kg0zMpYle04MBLkO/s200/StPetersburgchimneys2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2FSp7NmEJaJXj58TYCny6i_pX7jQtm2QojtQaZsqdeDo4RxKDPtCO9rSgfIr_Lbf8ydW1n6DzTm2eyFXTYYwLaWxn7Cv5VAz6ECBYYAd_rRnf5MjJnjAL3GwrCWBKF4ReYjuI6TKNSw/s1600/Chimneys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2FSp7NmEJaJXj58TYCny6i_pX7jQtm2QojtQaZsqdeDo4RxKDPtCO9rSgfIr_Lbf8ydW1n6DzTm2eyFXTYYwLaWxn7Cv5VAz6ECBYYAd_rRnf5MjJnjAL3GwrCWBKF4ReYjuI6TKNSw/s200/Chimneys.jpg" width="186" /></a>Driving into St Petersburg from the airport, the countryside looked tired and depressing, like many airport environs we passed through light industrial areas (nowhere near the old city) to get to the River. The terrain was exceedingly flat with lots of tall chimney stacks from all the factories and huge, nuclear-looking towers that are actually water boilers for providing heating to dozens of city apartments. The summers are short here and winter temperatures drop to below -30oC. Heating used to be cheap but now, like everything else, it is very costly. The bumpy roads from the airport had potholes and other signs of wear and tear and the many light industrial buildings were bleak and grey. We did not see any houses, only row upon row of blocks of flats. In the past, individuals weren’t allowed to own land but now it is possible to buy land and build homes or start a business, but only the very wealthy can afford to do so. Everybody lives in apartments – rows and rows of un-plastered concrete blocks 5 to 8 stories stories high.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>During the soviet period, thousands of these apartment blocks were built to house the people – some tiny, one room studios with no heating or private bathrooms, only shared toilets and showers. One or two families would occupy these tiny apartments.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkWaPDV7Ru7HKgR5TCx-EFTlQVkkpTtq7NDgzgnei4lfNpRMvS6SQC5x3R0h1_FMgaOt1EF7bOLKifc7CfMkiA4hRznDl4osLKN2KfDxoBKx7-kKitZ-QMKeD_MDa8CcOagQhPMHh5tgM/s1600/apartments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkWaPDV7Ru7HKgR5TCx-EFTlQVkkpTtq7NDgzgnei4lfNpRMvS6SQC5x3R0h1_FMgaOt1EF7bOLKifc7CfMkiA4hRznDl4osLKN2KfDxoBKx7-kKitZ-QMKeD_MDa8CcOagQhPMHh5tgM/s200/apartments.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> A coat of paint would soften their facades and brighten up the whole appearance of these concrete jungles but at the moment they are a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R23Zet6uYYGg1egdK7GSyNlhts0EmG2dVQZiKTv3syU6du52bdgQjbGhzmaWu6G6MOMl-hjeLPAwOa1L9Vo1DseJUv21X7aI0lHyyRxGNbrXpg3yjXbR8NtgzTU116eEOr6viL9jSIxL/s1600/Day+5+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R23Zet6uYYGg1egdK7GSyNlhts0EmG2dVQZiKTv3syU6du52bdgQjbGhzmaWu6G6MOMl-hjeLPAwOa1L9Vo1DseJUv21X7aI0lHyyRxGNbrXpg3yjXbR8NtgzTU116eEOr6viL9jSIxL/s200/Day+5+017.JPG" width="200" /></a>dismal reminder of the Soviet era. Wealthier families who could afford a Dacha – a summer home outside the city – could not build anything larger than 25m² or have any heating. Since then, more modern buildings have gone up but they are very expensive – between $1 and $2m for a small, two roomed city apartment. </div><br />
It wasn’t until we sailed down the Neva and out of the city precincts that we saw a few summer homes on the banks of the river. <br />
In the USSR it was very difficult for individuals who were not government officials to own cars so there was no reason to build good roads. Since the ‘new era’ hundreds of thousands of people have bought cars and it became necessary to repair, widen and improve existing roads and to build outer ring roads around the cities.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRpspIgq1YmQ682sk9J3mmj0JgntkoEt0QnrVA-9bfvKe-Z8FQxvSPArnzWhLwhv4uVLchvgI_j7XwOCi-by2-ERa_T8ZSkqREgJi4bKGsc23iEh9tHuggjT-yIAVF5DSEZpEVAtivmUb/s1600/Waterways_St-Petersburg_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRpspIgq1YmQ682sk9J3mmj0JgntkoEt0QnrVA-9bfvKe-Z8FQxvSPArnzWhLwhv4uVLchvgI_j7XwOCi-by2-ERa_T8ZSkqREgJi4bKGsc23iEh9tHuggjT-yIAVF5DSEZpEVAtivmUb/s320/Waterways_St-Petersburg_.jpg" /></a></div>Traffic and pollution is a huge problem in both St Petersburg and Moscow. One good thing about the previous era restrictions is that a very efficient public transport system was established and it is easy to travel about on bus, tram, train and river. The old roads still have tram lines and overhead cables although they are only used in a few parts of the city now. We were told about a growing Russian Mafia (who some say were linked to the KGB) who have amassed great wealth and influence since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and who control the black market.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Day 3 we drove into the St Petersburg’s old city centre and were surprised at how beautiful it is. Peter the Great travelled extensively <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8tXJ_QfgWpFoV-OOclzWC0uOmi0oza0al51BK3uDPrVwMqGvSa6mg9QdM5pmmRIowUj4aYL73_q779WIwcciycM0nG02OMTZtc0xzDVOkKnuomJ3y9XbN0x_VKaB688Za2Z5VV_M6w-T/s1600/McLenin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8tXJ_QfgWpFoV-OOclzWC0uOmi0oza0al51BK3uDPrVwMqGvSa6mg9QdM5pmmRIowUj4aYL73_q779WIwcciycM0nG02OMTZtc0xzDVOkKnuomJ3y9XbN0x_VKaB688Za2Z5VV_M6w-T/s200/McLenin.gif" width="200" /></a>in the west, including to Paris, and came back determined to establish a western type city on the Neva. At the start of the 1700s, he drained marsh land in the river estuary and in just 9 years (and many hundreds of thousands of forced labour deaths) the city of St Petersburg was ready for occupation.Wealthy families were ‘encouraged’ to build mansions in the new city and it has the elegant, graceful look of Paris with wide boulevards, oak and plane trees and streets lined with every fashion label shop you can think of. Today you’ll find Kentucky Chicken, Pizza Hut and even a McLenin burger chain. </div>The Mayor of St Petersburg is a woman and our guide told us that she has focused on cleaning up the facades of buildings and monuments and adding flowers to the city parks and gardens. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cd6FH_gE6mFfcy3OhvZlz6I6mkxzbjTREq7G6wnRrUADAfyznndDdcyUlfCPvUOxHRYB_4Pkci1X1YvV12qNeFfjMWn3NJJFEhbjN5wh_Dfam8lKvxQpIDp_3IewtSrvxaOoLGATQIRe/s1600/summer-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cd6FH_gE6mFfcy3OhvZlz6I6mkxzbjTREq7G6wnRrUADAfyznndDdcyUlfCPvUOxHRYB_4Pkci1X1YvV12qNeFfjMWn3NJJFEhbjN5wh_Dfam8lKvxQpIDp_3IewtSrvxaOoLGATQIRe/s200/summer-garden.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>Nowhere was this effort more evident than in Pushkin, a suburb of St Petersburg, with no industries or factories it is a beautiful ‘green’ suburb with flower baskets, lots of trees and beautiful monuments – like Catherine’s winter palace. In St. Petersburg no building in the city centre is higher than 4 stories so the church towers, steeples and domes are visible from all angles. <br />
The many canals, rivers and bridges, decorated in wrought iron and elaborate light posts give it a Victorian air and a well deserved nickname – The Venice of Russia. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Moscow</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Moscow was a revelation! We didn’t know what to expect but it wasn’t </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvK93kqV7InAlCJvInAga24JstAqFRbLiTS3sDnMC_gjrced_bErlvigw2yUpds1wmo0e00xXDkvTNvTwivuB3x5dZDGWa2QRf8Zt-IYhmrBJ4TO4olIgOXk3_E3KHe41pEDfyBkdMm6n/s1600/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvK93kqV7InAlCJvInAga24JstAqFRbLiTS3sDnMC_gjrced_bErlvigw2yUpds1wmo0e00xXDkvTNvTwivuB3x5dZDGWa2QRf8Zt-IYhmrBJ4TO4olIgOXk3_E3KHe41pEDfyBkdMm6n/s200/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaja.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">the large, clean, gracious city with up to forty percent of its space devoted to parks and gardens. There are few sky scrapers. Most of the buildings are only a few stories high and many are elegant with pastel, pilastered facades. The metro has been described as "the people's palaces" and is by far, the most ornately decorated transportation system in the world. The stations contain bronze sculptures, Florentine mosaics, fresco ceilings, chandeliers, art nouveau benches, stained glass and ceramics reflecting the tastes, cultural perceptions and stereotypes of the Soviet Union. Even the interior of the coaches have paintings - no litter here and no graffiti!<br />
The many golden domed Orthodox Churches give the city an almost </div>eastern look. The city is dominated by the walls and fortifications of the Kremlin which was the biggest surprise of all! Behind the walls are <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir45xKsYCF2Gn8l5jyYftjk7KlzN07hlEeNEnWm0vfMRntBF_edjuCAwFMeqLou-4x0Rh4r-AGzVRNPewV7LmRpYLHERpkrn84S9TrvzTh71Tn44g9HVHdgesBHwGj8wCkMbnrpd9-6Eku/s1600/Moscow_Metro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir45xKsYCF2Gn8l5jyYftjk7KlzN07hlEeNEnWm0vfMRntBF_edjuCAwFMeqLou-4x0Rh4r-AGzVRNPewV7LmRpYLHERpkrn84S9TrvzTh71Tn44g9HVHdgesBHwGj8wCkMbnrpd9-6Eku/s200/Moscow_Metro.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>gardens, courtyards, statues, five churches and cathedrals, elegant government buildings and a view over the red square. The Moscow Canal – built by gulag prisoners in the Stalin era - gives Moscow access the White Sea, Black Sea, Baltic, and the Sea of Azov – which is why Moscow is sometimes called the "port of the five seas". The biggest problem in Moscow is traffic and pollution. It is also the 4th most expensive city on the world according to Mercer. <br />
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<strong>The Russian People</strong> <br />
Our guide told us that the large majority of the people in Russia are poor. Many take summer jobs away from their families in order to exist through the long winters. The contrast between the magnificent, opulent palaces and gracious buildings with the new developments around the city is noticeable and stark. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33jrAxg-GcZ_6r2gDwiU5W7ofKRZpqEYDgmoUNDJ0dAnwTQT5P8f27uGtB1h9F9qhKScRLmwnBIQRsHiAwytNWYgR7Fx2UEwX37EV3JkqdKEnsWSZvDgXAhHtka5QnaRcZMH77cJLDzx1/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33jrAxg-GcZ_6r2gDwiU5W7ofKRZpqEYDgmoUNDJ0dAnwTQT5P8f27uGtB1h9F9qhKScRLmwnBIQRsHiAwytNWYgR7Fx2UEwX37EV3JkqdKEnsWSZvDgXAhHtka5QnaRcZMH77cJLDzx1/s200/IMG_0130.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC6ki1HkXnsxCPnbQ_4VhgF6qvjRgkZLXERiUQJyUisQtaDVs93aITrupWFGfC1F53bv7shYgiUJSC6UEThMcSLpSRLnU9zMY6rQ6zrcukibDFBr2Sw5CRQARVLyqcGk2iwtN_SmBRO8i/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC6ki1HkXnsxCPnbQ_4VhgF6qvjRgkZLXERiUQJyUisQtaDVs93aITrupWFGfC1F53bv7shYgiUJSC6UEThMcSLpSRLnU9zMY6rQ6zrcukibDFBr2Sw5CRQARVLyqcGk2iwtN_SmBRO8i/s200/IMG_0159.JPG" width="186" /></a> Our guide (a St Petersburgher) seemed bemused by the changes that have occurred in his country and his city. I’m not sure if he has soviet leanings or whether the changes have been too rapid. Once upon a time everyone was subsidised with apartment, heating, transport, jobs etc. There was no crime because the KGB were police, judge and jury and were allowed to arrest anybody without reason and impose sentence. Now, they are on their own to create their own lives based on how hard they work and how much they earn. Apartments are very costly, heating is expensive and there is tough competition for jobs. The poor have become poorer, they have over 10 million illegal immigrants and crime is a problem. There are crime riddled, no-go areas in most cities. The conundrum is that they have democracy - whether they want it or not. <br />
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When we queried why so many of the hospitality staff on the boat were from the Philippines, we were told that although Russians were hard working and efficient, they were not naturally warm and friendly and that they hardly ever smiled. This didn’t go down well with paying passengers and more and more were replaced by Filipinos who <em>are</em> naturally warm and smile constantly. They also have a lovely sense of humour and, unlike our guide or some of the Russian crew, we could share a joke with them.<br />
In our little book “Russia by River”, Howard Shernoff tells us that the Russian people are amongst the warmest in the world. That wasn’t our experience, or the experience of most of the other passengers. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The few Russian people we met, besides those working on the boat, were stern, aloof, and invariably without humour. These included somewhat surly waiters and waitresses in restaurants, disinterested shop assistants – some were short and abrupt and at times verged on being rude – and aloof staff in the museums or other monuments we visited. Few people made eye contact, few responded to a nod of the head or a greeting and most never smiled. Only one Russian smiled at us on this trip - a dear old woman selling flowers on a bridge. We gave her some money and gave her back her flowers. We got a lovely, toothless smile in return. With many locals, it was as though most of them were afraid that they were being watched and could not be seen smiling at or talking to foreigners. For years, America was the great big Bogeyman, but now they have to welcome American and other foreign tourists and treat them as friends.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lMxwK3518Cy9PolQmjSQBT-xTzG7xaFa-kVnI6b92tLKdQBCsFFTU1TNl_WJjjJTM2LcizvekaP40sbMZxIJhc959zM457h3LEsL3zS8l51dhrfMjIik6Do9aXKOxXYR9ZZQMWvMnNnT/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lMxwK3518Cy9PolQmjSQBT-xTzG7xaFa-kVnI6b92tLKdQBCsFFTU1TNl_WJjjJTM2LcizvekaP40sbMZxIJhc959zM457h3LEsL3zS8l51dhrfMjIik6Do9aXKOxXYR9ZZQMWvMnNnT/s200/IMG_0142.JPG" width="186" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> For years they couldn’t trust anyone, not even their neighbours, and now they are expected to welcome foreigners from all over the world with open arms! It must be very difficult to change the mind-set of a people even though the politics have changed at the top. </div><br />
Russia is very different from any other European countries we've visited. As Shernoff says," In Russia the streets look normal and the people look more or less like average Americans. But that appearance belies a culture, history and a way of thinking ... that couldn't be more different than any other you've encountered elsewhere. This paradox makes Russia alternately maddening, mystifying, enchanting and exciting."Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-92194624846883338902010-07-10T13:34:00.015+02:002010-07-10T19:47:08.698+02:005-Star Cuisine on the Viking Kirov!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3ACWgojIuFjoWBROjiHbH7zZfXsvpVyt-dDbrFgt_HvhZsO2R8DvOjK5iVHL5KsNAWF5lV7ifcdgtd2WFmUcOWiDsp47Eqrv4tzEYYEa8ZFXuNPCDfSlIYJpR5B7ZRhO_1me_LY3j5HI/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3ACWgojIuFjoWBROjiHbH7zZfXsvpVyt-dDbrFgt_HvhZsO2R8DvOjK5iVHL5KsNAWF5lV7ifcdgtd2WFmUcOWiDsp47Eqrv4tzEYYEa8ZFXuNPCDfSlIYJpR5B7ZRhO_1me_LY3j5HI/s200/Day+7+%26+8+001.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtapcoCZUhCNNtG3StxCS9G6VdlJRZnPnE5AQF7uhELJT3c-pGc6tKtpf8ey1lvSTmFp7ci8PXfOadjyquMxs3k-9hL5If_jSy3vK2eQaHt2xNBIRvJ5LiEm20hsnsUT4yopwIP9WME43/s1600/Day+3+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; 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cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TmjVZ9Q5s7onVMXZuukAn8lB0DdQKerhh6AcnksIQw8BMrBzJn4Vo6pr2BqSWtI4jNuxX4av-vWsWc0Tz418xs3ancZpJm4nvpVgLuLl7Y2C8lqjaJh2-B1nYunyLUL5mjklJR0-Dtw-/s200/Day+9++!st+July+026.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yu_zJ6yFIIvEoD172ZWmMdSnnozzD79E3Ek0OqnzG2if8SyLleadooGB9nHgzEcd_PHPdcjoEzy-R8l2aEKwd9Es_3yDNdYmA0aZJhlKobq8vB8C99kXMqMNO8cTNegOUDQ3GNr2ZtDj/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yu_zJ6yFIIvEoD172ZWmMdSnnozzD79E3Ek0OqnzG2if8SyLleadooGB9nHgzEcd_PHPdcjoEzy-R8l2aEKwd9Es_3yDNdYmA0aZJhlKobq8vB8C99kXMqMNO8cTNegOUDQ3GNr2ZtDj/s200/Day+9++!st+July+025.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TKjnCcWoKcBueCIhWWR73K23irwS7yNaSpatUifo-CPozmf3VdJkRRn-FwMs5vA163O8WyZf0SQ0-k-p0vAse3GCYR8RBdTAEY1786dEUtQDxtvbAZt1-1pCWMAeU38eifcrFNIcZua5/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TKjnCcWoKcBueCIhWWR73K23irwS7yNaSpatUifo-CPozmf3VdJkRRn-FwMs5vA163O8WyZf0SQ0-k-p0vAse3GCYR8RBdTAEY1786dEUtQDxtvbAZt1-1pCWMAeU38eifcrFNIcZua5/s200/IMG_0073.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Thomas Harder has been executive chef on the Viking Kirov for over 7 years. He trained in Germany and worked in the fantastic 5 Star Widder Hotel in Zurich. He and his team is responsible for providing meals for up to 200 passengers every day. The food is of a very high standard and quality, with an amazing variety of dishes to choose from, not only at dinner but also at lunch time. His presentation of dishes is superb and many passengers were enticed to try the attractive vegetarian dishes. His menus are well balanced with a separate 4 courses for vegetarians, suggestions for Healthy Meals, a regular menu consisting of Hors d'oeuvres, Soup, Main Course, 2 desserts, an international selection of cheese and <em>'Always Available'</em> - grilled chicken breast, poached salmon, grilled silrloin steak and Caesar's salad. A beverage recommendation is offered to accompany each dish including an apertif, Rose, White and Red wine and a Digestif. At lunch time there is also a wide selection of salads to choose from the Salad Buffet. The only complaint we heard from passengers was that there was too much food at lunch time and that the cream used for desserts was not fresh cream but a non-dairy cream. </div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-44868226541243835612010-07-09T16:59:00.093+02:002010-07-11T20:57:52.000+02:00Day 13: Last day - on our way home<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Sylvia </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVu3_Wc6-Obmf6jtsTob9Ihje2CAg9cQaqavcjVC2vo5E5gYrQGhpIUlYjxV3iHSFuJColtW9siuwbXE0pVjn2ODKnUw40Cd1_grNqoD_tG-7dN1VkCGWSonlJQ8CbiQmPdy9pXbO402W/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVu3_Wc6-Obmf6jtsTob9Ihje2CAg9cQaqavcjVC2vo5E5gYrQGhpIUlYjxV3iHSFuJColtW9siuwbXE0pVjn2ODKnUw40Cd1_grNqoD_tG-7dN1VkCGWSonlJQ8CbiQmPdy9pXbO402W/s320/!st+July+Day+8+083.JPG" /></a>It is customary to give gratuities, or tips, to the staff of the Viking Kirov. The management suggest $10 - $12 per guest per day which is distributed amongst the staff. They also suggest a separate tip of about $5 per guest per day for the guides. Then you can tip the bus drivers, the porters, the crew etc., Patty and I tipped the bus drivers separately because they were the ones who handled the wheelchair every day. So, after 12 days on the boat you should allocate about $144 (about R1000) for the staff and and $60 (R455) for the guides. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHTZd1JCg0eTZJ3mLWYuGswIU7hocEUs9cWHpjLg4TuzWYnqGYfO2L2iXZPiFm14_IUE3eQ_vQLlyesboVK-Y0RkutfwgRqHnX2nNMyKwhH3vrb2f0W6CR6GyUpq_yg-HLM6zaS4L-cDF/s1600/Day+3+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHTZd1JCg0eTZJ3mLWYuGswIU7hocEUs9cWHpjLg4TuzWYnqGYfO2L2iXZPiFm14_IUE3eQ_vQLlyesboVK-Y0RkutfwgRqHnX2nNMyKwhH3vrb2f0W6CR6GyUpq_yg-HLM6zaS4L-cDF/s320/Day+3+026.JPG" /></a>(We jokingly said that if we offered Mikhail $5 for every time he helped with the wheelchair he would have got an empty envelope!) They give you envelopes to put the tips in and Patty and I put our tips in envelopes for the staff and guides and handed them in at the reception desk.<br />
Over and above that, you can give individual tips to individual staff members. Last night we gave envelopes with tips to our favourite staff. In the dining room our favourite was Benz - a wonderful man who looked after us from day one in the dining room. Always pleasant and welcoming, never impatient with the wheelchair and POC and never in a hurry to get us out of there. He is married with two children and spends six months of the year away from his family working on the Viking boats (as many of the staff from the Philippines do). Mateo, also one of the waiters, made us laugh every day and called Patty's chair her 'Ferrari'. Paul - a waiter with an elegant, charming manner carved flowers in a cake of soap for Patty and me. One of the Filipino waitresses went the extra mile and we gave her an extra tip too. Joy - the Panorama Bar hostess, always willing to fetch an extra cup of tea or hot chocolate. "You sit down and relax" she'd say with a smile, "I'll bring it to your table." <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAy8SEzdUHq5ufL0XsEyMXBo_nxyc8RYms_kKwIK9pj-oX3sxLG753EYmjyYA5xUzUZTBOvC1JZVn7ruFM8CaiV-0Il9YQ462Wsz3sOOgShTua3dAc32-Q22lPUg2uASAWbPlzaZut3Be/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAy8SEzdUHq5ufL0XsEyMXBo_nxyc8RYms_kKwIK9pj-oX3sxLG753EYmjyYA5xUzUZTBOvC1JZVn7ruFM8CaiV-0Il9YQ462Wsz3sOOgShTua3dAc32-Q22lPUg2uASAWbPlzaZut3Be/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" /></a> Dieter, the Hotel Manager, was excellent - a caring man, always willing to listen and to please, who managed to chat to every passenger on board and did the rounds every night. He very kindly arranged with the chef, Thomas, to keep every menu for me. Thomas compiled a little booklet of menus in a cardboard cover and personally brought it to the cabin yesterday. I was so thrilled I gave him a hug! This morning we had to put our suitcase outside the cabin by 8h30 so we did most of the packing last night. We managed to get all the souvenirs and gifts into Patty's cabin bag which I hung over the back of the wheelchair. At 9am we boarded our bus for the airport (there are 5 airports in Moscow). Vitoria - one of the guides - accompanied us. She thought the trip might take two hours but the traffic wasn't too bad and after 1.5 hours we arrived at the airport. The airport looked like a gigantic hot house - a long tubular structure made of glass panels.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexU7FR6d8yJuijNr28wKuqaywcAK3fEs_bfuEn-hIgnUnzM0KM1UMGOv9bEkNUVLGFtscqDDcJexNzbAsEQKTrabTsWzAHcVjclVnUwD4W2ERg9J30OG81Ek447ngsfkbqyaM-tcKH5he/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexU7FR6d8yJuijNr28wKuqaywcAK3fEs_bfuEn-hIgnUnzM0KM1UMGOv9bEkNUVLGFtscqDDcJexNzbAsEQKTrabTsWzAHcVjclVnUwD4W2ERg9J30OG81Ek447ngsfkbqyaM-tcKH5he/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" /></a>The bus driver made a sharp turn to get to a boom and scraped the front of a car that was in that lane. The driver got out and there was much shouting and waving of arms. We all had to get out and drag our luggage through the booms to the airport building. There are no porters at the Moscow airport and, we found out later, no toilets for disabled people. When we asked for a toilet for Patty they ended up taking us through to the train station arrivals lounge where there was a special toilet for wheelchair users. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our plane only left at 14h40 so we bought a few gifts in the Duty Free - including two beautiful bottles of Vodka. The bottles look like the Matrioshka dolls and cost about R250 each. At Zurich airport we had an even longer wait but the assistants took us to a special lounge for passengers needing assistance which was close to the Duty Free shops. We bought a lovely jacket for Emily, some t-shirts for the Leaver boys and more fridge magnets. I was able to send an email home from the Internet cafe and we had a sandwich and a cold drink before going back to the lounge.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SMUQQQa3dfKcVttHTIdOS9UwxUq8fk4mVroAOW9yNuqujW-QCbQQ68aGpw-V-V0A0dReUK00x5AuiOvDuul5p1qBNqvQNyoE5mQLe72KWL9MsJk7xxxvzT3Cf4gJ5SFEmcCEKqDpOsCv/s1600/matrioshka_honey_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SMUQQQa3dfKcVttHTIdOS9UwxUq8fk4mVroAOW9yNuqujW-QCbQQ68aGpw-V-V0A0dReUK00x5AuiOvDuul5p1qBNqvQNyoE5mQLe72KWL9MsJk7xxxvzT3Cf4gJ5SFEmcCEKqDpOsCv/s400/matrioshka_honey_01.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>When it was time to go through the boarding gates, I was stopped and they searched the bag with the gifts in it. I was told that I couldn't take the Vodka Bottles through. He said they would have to be discarded but when I told him I'd bought them mainly for the bottles, he offered to empty the Vodka and give me the bottles. So our children received gifts of empty vodka bottles from Russia! He told me that Russia was not a Schengen country and that was why (even though they'd been bought at a Duty Free shop and were in a sealed packet) we couldn't take them through. He also said that if they had been bought at a place like Singapore, he might have allowed them through but he couldn't let anything like that through from Russia. It might have something to do with the fact that there is a huge Russian Mafia and they don't trust anyone - not even a couple of old grannies! <br />
Our flight left Zurich at 22h45 and dinner was brought around at 12h45. I watched 'Valentine's Day' until my eyes closed and I couldn't concentrate anymore.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived in Johannesburg at 9am and there was an assistant waiting with Patty's chair. He took us through the customs and to the carousel to collect our suitcase. Gail (sister-in-law) was waiting for us at the arrivals and we went upstairs to have a coffee and eventually lunch as our Mango flight to Durban was only at 13h20. We were helped by Mango staff and were the last to board - our seats being right in the front. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was great to land in Durban and see Finn waiting for us at arrivals. Tammy soon arrived with Emily and it was lovely to hold her again. We took Patty home and helped her unpack and then went home ourselves. Carling and Jenna were really pleased to see me and it was great to be home.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Patty:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t0VbXWtrdjfz4c0g_LQzgqy-yUoJXJ-D-05oYZMQqsezjve0beGrvA8TKfw2rGUJrCBpyVKL_iZCPReKhObFWJ70Tz3m_JNbSqYdI65-LDBbKXaupEJC0hvH2N1WRWFiH-90AyaeXHM5/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t0VbXWtrdjfz4c0g_LQzgqy-yUoJXJ-D-05oYZMQqsezjve0beGrvA8TKfw2rGUJrCBpyVKL_iZCPReKhObFWJ70Tz3m_JNbSqYdI65-LDBbKXaupEJC0hvH2N1WRWFiH-90AyaeXHM5/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I couldn't believe that we got everything into the little black cabin bag, including the big winter jacket Finn had lent me. The bag only weighed 8kg when we left but was 14kg when we checked it in at Moscow airport. After breakfast, Syl and I stood on the deck looking at the river and the buildings on the Moscow skyline. I'd brought one of the Pips from Shaun's navy jacket to leave in Moscow and this seemed a suitable time and place to let go of the Pip. "Well, Shauny" I said, "We brought you to Russia and now we are going to leave a memento here." Syl threw the Pip as far as she could into the water and we watched as the ripples spread across the water. Then she smiled. "I can just hear him laughing" she said. He is saying, "Are you f........ crazy? I wouldn't come here with you two. No way! You'd drive me crazy." I laughed too. "I can hear him saying, " and why did you trow my bloody Pip into the river? How can I wear that jacket if I come back?" We hugged each other, knowing that we had done the right thing.</div><br />
(<strong><em>Dieter, Nadia and Maria)</em></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSoaYvGe9aU0NSz_i3yCf-zI4gc53iaUkehMKW-l8GoEqUh0WSACtix82MvapVMZ-DbxnNGeXU6dx1mc9UVSCyhl06PlIynQUxa-J8zKu_ERBDpdVfFKZRqFZJ8Tn5w8aVmiapRpnKQwa/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSoaYvGe9aU0NSz_i3yCf-zI4gc53iaUkehMKW-l8GoEqUh0WSACtix82MvapVMZ-DbxnNGeXU6dx1mc9UVSCyhl06PlIynQUxa-J8zKu_ERBDpdVfFKZRqFZJ8Tn5w8aVmiapRpnKQwa/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" /></a></div>On the way to the airport, I was struck once again by how clean the streets are. There is no litter and no graffiti - not even on bare walls along highways. The Russians must be very strict about littering and defacing buildings. One thing I've learned is that they are not interested in making their cities accessible for the disabled. There were very few ramps off pavement or at intersections, most of the buildings are not accessible and don't have ramps or lifts. And, when they told us that there was no toilet for disabled people I felt like strangling someone. I'm not usually in a wheelchair but my nephew is and I can imagine how frustrating it would be for him to visit Russia. My feet and ankles had started swelling by the time we got on the Moscow to Zurich flight and when we got into the special waiting room at Zurich airport, Syl made me put my feet up. Eventually I lay down across three seats to rest awhile. It was a long wait for the 22h45 departure. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8fvDZl9ZLHZLGUjtDM5jM4xvP8HK4DoheLxxLgSGruDJOJyrafeBdkzL4SDaIBrzkAlZrUGK3Ow9DsbupBhpv9mDs77JSed5cJnGv8_l5LN26xskiUaWyz9Rti5n3XMzvftcGc1IEUaD/s1600/P7042161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8fvDZl9ZLHZLGUjtDM5jM4xvP8HK4DoheLxxLgSGruDJOJyrafeBdkzL4SDaIBrzkAlZrUGK3Ow9DsbupBhpv9mDs77JSed5cJnGv8_l5LN26xskiUaWyz9Rti5n3XMzvftcGc1IEUaD/s320/P7042161.JPG" /></a>I find the seats in aeroplanes very uncomfortable. I want to sit upright but they make you lounge over and I felt as though I was squashing my ribcage and my lungs. The best way to sit was to lean on the folded down tray and rest my head on the TV on the back of the seat in front. About an hour before landing I was gat-vol and wanted out of that plane!</div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I got off the plane in Johannesburg, I looked as though I had elephantitis, my legs were so swollen. It felt like the skin wanted to crack. It was great to have Gail's company at the airport. On the Mango flight they put us right in front so there was lots of room to stretch our legs. Finn was waiting for us at the new Durban airport and I was so grateful to be home, all I wanted to do was put my head down and sleep. Syl unpacked everything and sorted things out on the dining room table.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's hard to process how I feel. I can't believe I did it - I went to Russia! After all the years of saying that I wanted to go, Shaun putting money aside for me, my health deteriorating until I thought I might never go, and now I have finally been. And, the best thing of all, I went with my sister! How special is that?</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-16363838384323275012010-07-09T15:03:00.003+02:002010-07-09T19:31:29.061+02:00Day 12 - The Kremlin<strong>Patty:</strong><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPPhsoQMAApHvBfMwAo8-KGWkSZPFcdLYmxH_0w8HOG9yHn38Tze4ZIybyof0ACLhh15N67ui6OTXQQTwe5Pvrm5rFyWABZ0TzgCSfDIl3cGKn-tEJRu-C8K9lGdiEwIuSSCzNmTfdkaj/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPPhsoQMAApHvBfMwAo8-KGWkSZPFcdLYmxH_0w8HOG9yHn38Tze4ZIybyof0ACLhh15N67ui6OTXQQTwe5Pvrm5rFyWABZ0TzgCSfDIl3cGKn-tEJRu-C8K9lGdiEwIuSSCzNmTfdkaj/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" /></a></div>We had a free morning so could lie in a bit this morning - YAY!!</div>I got up dying for a wee but Syl was in the bathroom so I sat on the edge of the bed waiting for her to come out. I waited and waited and started getting desperate. I started to sweat and got up with crossed legs to knock on the door and asked her to please hurry up but she didn’t answer. I opened the door and there was nobody there! Phsew – I nearly didn’t make it. As soon as I sat down she came into the cabin – she’d been up and dressed and was back from breakfast! She brought me some fruit and yoghurt and tea for breakfast. <br />
We saw Richard in the reception and told him we were going out for a walk in the park. He joined us and took us on a wild goose chase looking for an obelisk which wasn’t there! He was convinced that the bus driver had told them yesterday to look left at an obelisk in the park when they returned from their excursion. We walked up one path and down the other, all the way out the other side and back again but no obelisk. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN18jSoqQp19Njt-NasPvnt0LlG6Nf_S0i6LVmY-CFhQfZEg905rLfyIG3qWSG3AFI7po5MZcXSVTcarnig-qt4ueu8PZ4zgiqcnzEzMT5RtfAka60H3vP9MO2-JccmAOdkFul_OHXjFp6/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN18jSoqQp19Njt-NasPvnt0LlG6Nf_S0i6LVmY-CFhQfZEg905rLfyIG3qWSG3AFI7po5MZcXSVTcarnig-qt4ueu8PZ4zgiqcnzEzMT5RtfAka60H3vP9MO2-JccmAOdkFul_OHXjFp6/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" /></a>The word for 'ticket' in Russian is 'Kacca'. We thought it was hysterical when we saw this sign for Kacca No.2 so Richard took a photograph of me straining in the chair and Syl pointing at the sign! (OK - it seemed really funny at the time. OK - you had to be there!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7V9NZPuC-ic41wJhYKfkxKm4kfMbzFjjBC39uev-ditKZt3Jc4CGIpvV6spWeI6K9q1IbqG3FUIhlAjqc1wutkCjRZQAPbkb5j4q68MHcn7aY9lBHWtyQyU4zRqSNr0Pc_Na2Mxnct1x/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7V9NZPuC-ic41wJhYKfkxKm4kfMbzFjjBC39uev-ditKZt3Jc4CGIpvV6spWeI6K9q1IbqG3FUIhlAjqc1wutkCjRZQAPbkb5j4q68MHcn7aY9lBHWtyQyU4zRqSNr0Pc_Na2Mxnct1x/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" /></a> After our walk we returned to our boat. </div>After lunch we joined our bus and tour guide for a visit to the Kremlin. "There are many cobble stones" warned Mikhail. "We will manage" said Syl, and we did.<br />
My gosh, what a surprise behind those red brick walls! No razor wire, no dark dungeons (that we could see) no goose stepping soldiers. There were policemen with whistles and we were told that they blow a whistle once if you walk in a restricted area, twice if you didn't move right away and on the third whistle you would be sent to Siberia!<br />
The Kremlin is open to tourists but as some of the buildings are still being used by the Mayor, the Police and security services, there are places that are off limits. One has to walk exactly inside the demarcated areas and if you stray, they police blow a whistle. We all jumped when we heard a whistle blow the first time even though we knew that we hadn’t strayed away from our group. There are cathedrals and churches inside the Kremlin walls. I went inside the church of the Archangel Michael. Its hard to describe the inside of the ortho<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeqRgxXSioZHqCKNe3Jvgk8Fsar3RZnXjnwsKiHiAWpjZCS-y7Mv5YSKq2F3TRiwFX-jnrdpff20dcl1ve2DgXrxHGHHpD8b29FyN7-9aC_gBWYLC6vUJ89NAAvCuNd8Fk_5BWDvMtqbH/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeqRgxXSioZHqCKNe3Jvgk8Fsar3RZnXjnwsKiHiAWpjZCS-y7Mv5YSKq2F3TRiwFX-jnrdpff20dcl1ve2DgXrxHGHHpD8b29FyN7-9aC_gBWYLC6vUJ89NAAvCuNd8Fk_5BWDvMtqbH/s320/IMG_0138.JPG" /></a>dox churches, every inch of the walls are painted with bible stories and icons, even the ceilings. There were concrete tombs lining one of the walls and ancient iconostas hanging on the pillars. It’s JUST amazing. There are gardens and flowers and it seems so peaceful inside - nothing at all as I’d imagined it to be. We were taken back to the boat in time for cocktail hour at 6:30pm with a farewell dinner at 7:30pm. Everyone was swapping business cards and email addresses.<br />
I can't believe that this is our last day! I have been thinking of this trip for so long and planned it for so long and now it is over. I'm just really grateful that I was fit enough and well enough to manage the trip - at last.<br />
<strong>Sylvia</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSryp_uXnElBt7dSRs6YbD-vob2b1rnSNEdA2-D3VpaklwJOnFZkE85ULzXIoVh2oX4dmXKb2oqSa5ZBWomTIfEoETLS4SUqg76xzagnd0HXelyVN9mJrz81aZrkjGh3mxALvPvzzkKxT/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSryp_uXnElBt7dSRs6YbD-vob2b1rnSNEdA2-D3VpaklwJOnFZkE85ULzXIoVh2oX4dmXKb2oqSa5ZBWomTIfEoETLS4SUqg76xzagnd0HXelyVN9mJrz81aZrkjGh3mxALvPvzzkKxT/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" /></a></div>Yesterday was pay day - pay your money over the counter! We found our bill in the cabin when we got back from breakfast and could settle it between 10h30 and 12h30. This is a cashless boat so you sign for everything and pay at the end. They use Units - one unit being equal to one euro. Our bill didn't come to very much but its amazing how it adds up. Those extra drinks at cocktail hour, gifts bought from the gift shop, extra excursions. I used my travel card to pay so that we could keep our rubbles for the airport duty free shop. R1 = 4 Rubbles so we just divided everything by 4.<br />
Patty told you about our morning in the park. The old bus and marine terminal building is a wonderful example of Soviet architecture with round tiles showing pictures of workers on railways, ships, iron and steel workers, railroads, etc. <br />
At lunch more people gave us their cards or contact details. If we took them all up on the invitations to visit them we could travel for 5 years and have free accommodation from Shanghai to Canada! <br />
After lunch we joined bus number 21 for the last time for our tour of the Kremlin. This is actually a fortified, walled city containing gardens, museums, churches, cathedrals and the seat of the government. You hear the expression "OY!" a lot in Russia and I must say that "OY!" doesn't come close to describing our surprise at the Kremlin. I'm not going to try to add to Patty's description. Instead I'll just add a few more photos that ususal.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB0M8rlSoMrAaFBtYLL3DUkuKJpDdk61UUrNUor-8DQeNr_t4CjfM86PjB-Y9_iAI6iBS0QLj08VUfVWpqz3Jn7mP0wkwuARSXzmnTkwKLh9B0aUddFkcVM2PDl2FOqDdRS5rU7GWg09V/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB0M8rlSoMrAaFBtYLL3DUkuKJpDdk61UUrNUor-8DQeNr_t4CjfM86PjB-Y9_iAI6iBS0QLj08VUfVWpqz3Jn7mP0wkwuARSXzmnTkwKLh9B0aUddFkcVM2PDl2FOqDdRS5rU7GWg09V/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" /></a></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-20731503849977779812010-07-04T10:32:00.006+02:002010-07-09T12:34:02.855+02:00Day 11: Red Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxvOQxEtEOaReegy6mPYhA691FFyoKw21-_ySpSBn9dZK_TYdVBHeHxn0wmOo51At9FM1QGBg9iugYxYL8lXfUnVtRANI79CccnJnkQhhwFiu7Dz7mhK5JA5DrZMjVpmsjQeWZ3bWHmig/s1600/Day+11+-+Moscow+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxvOQxEtEOaReegy6mPYhA691FFyoKw21-_ySpSBn9dZK_TYdVBHeHxn0wmOo51At9FM1QGBg9iugYxYL8lXfUnVtRANI79CccnJnkQhhwFiu7Dz7mhK5JA5DrZMjVpmsjQeWZ3bWHmig/s320/Day+11+-+Moscow+009.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Sylvia </span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">(Patty outside the De Beers jewellry store in Moscow)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Today was full of optional excursions – most of them not accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, walking canes etc. There are a number of older people on board who use aids but Patty is the only one in a chair. </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">There was a full day excursion to Sergiev Posad to visit The Monastery of St Sergius, one of the most famous Goldring destinations in Russia and a pilgrimage destination for Orthodox Christians. It is a full day tour being about 2 hours outside of Russia. We didn’t want to be gone all day so we gave that a miss. The other tour was to the Novodevitch Convent (New Maiden Nunnery) but that wasn’t accessible for wheelchairs either so we didn’t go there. We could have gone to the Military Museum (also a physical challenge) but we opted instead to share a taxi with Greg and Kathy which dropped us at the Red Square where we spent a couple of hours window shopping in the Gum (pronounced Goom) department stores. </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2VZbNALG0K5tFfmT1rjbuQrB57WgPiQkjGjINRJn6-aNhwJVu8-Xt561o5O07j7yDqZYC8BElZEWdJfJFKgbU1OeDs-EXwpHP3ic3Z1WylNrnl6ez5FSIQ2bolx9lOrh4-dlyYJvT1U0/s1600/Gum_Moscow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2VZbNALG0K5tFfmT1rjbuQrB57WgPiQkjGjINRJn6-aNhwJVu8-Xt561o5O07j7yDqZYC8BElZEWdJfJFKgbU1OeDs-EXwpHP3ic3Z1WylNrnl6ez5FSIQ2bolx9lOrh4-dlyYJvT1U0/s320/Gum_Moscow.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">The building is an enormous, ornate, glass roofed structure that takes up the entire eastern side of Red Square. One of the passengers had visited there in the 1980’s and told us that it had been a dismal market hall with over 1,200 small stalls badly stocked, with surly stall owners. The building has been stunningly refurbished and is now home to boutiques displaying all the main name brands in clothing, cosmetics, jewellery – even a De Beers, which we couldn’t resist photographing to show our brother who worked for De Beers for about 25 years. </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_9tIeJ_AeoRzYW65UVlYmjh3vOwRhCFggK-_1KGa9ciW3m8yt2-7StkZ-9n5IyvaGfxRION84Eiey-v37GX_t_Ts-fWK7J65qORovDIsPP0hW1xnwG0001QHkzGgF57bia83LncJH6as/s1600/Day+11+-+Moscow+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_9tIeJ_AeoRzYW65UVlYmjh3vOwRhCFggK-_1KGa9ciW3m8yt2-7StkZ-9n5IyvaGfxRION84Eiey-v37GX_t_Ts-fWK7J65qORovDIsPP0hW1xnwG0001QHkzGgF57bia83LncJH6as/s320/Day+11+-+Moscow+002.JPG" /></a><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: black;">We met up with Greg and Kathy and had tea at a sidewalk café. Two teas, one small cranberry juice and a sprite came to nearly 1 000 Rubbles. Our taxi to and from town cost 4 500 Rubbles – about R1 000. We got back in time for lunch and sat with the Australian couples. Always good for a laugh!</span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">I spent most of the afternoon putting photos on the blog, chatting to other passengers and just chilling in the Panorama Bar. I brought Patty up for tea and cakes and then it was supper time again. We have both put on weight and can feel it when we get dressed!</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">There was an optional Moscow by Night excursion that started at 10pm and ended at 12:20am. We decided to get to bed instead!</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Patty</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">This morning I heard Syl moving about and asked her what the time was. "Twenty-five past seven" she said. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN9ylBRIB6Rrh25yNYCiwcpOTRCsNtf1uNCk0voYH-ZvMF-Wc5B0uykKLDoxxH54w0lFg9JOIiCwK3ivypCJHpf-Rs5OVGJFKwNB5fYD_2ITKnTfkqJaB2kH80-c3VMT8F-2nTCbopB2W/s1600/Day+11+-+Moscow+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN9ylBRIB6Rrh25yNYCiwcpOTRCsNtf1uNCk0voYH-ZvMF-Wc5B0uykKLDoxxH54w0lFg9JOIiCwK3ivypCJHpf-Rs5OVGJFKwNB5fYD_2ITKnTfkqJaB2kH80-c3VMT8F-2nTCbopB2W/s320/Day+11+-+Moscow+006.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black;">"Wow! Its still like mid-night" I said. I got up to go to the toilet and washed my face. She looked again at her watch and it was actually 4h35!! So, I went back to bed and stayed there until 7h30. </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">After breakfast we ordered a taxi for 10am and on the way to town we stopped at a factory shop that supplies all the church, monastery and convent shops with cards and icons. Syl wanted a St James icon or card but once again they didn't have one. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">The driver then dropped us close to the Red Square. I couldn't believe that I was really there! You see it on television with goose-stepping troops and military officers standing on the concrete steps, soldiers saluting the tomb of Lenin as they march past but you never imagine yourself in that square. It is over 70,000 sq m with cobble stones brought from around Lake Onega (where we sailed to visit Kizhi island). </span></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">The Lenin Mausoleum stands like a squat brick edifice almost in the middle of the square in front of the Kremlin wall. We didn't go into the musoleum but took a photogrph of it from the outside.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8UXZnFigKnAIF9eZ4eC-lBTrQWaf6wqYCYtu_FWZJTgNKs5Y_pGK56pgHQseNSKUbfxQdnPD-MHq5ZF9VNSgrpAsVO_aYEPoRE8q3y39QjBeNg0c6b2WUJfWp867-ZhMJWIC0VL6UTsH/s1600/Day+11+-+Moscow+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8UXZnFigKnAIF9eZ4eC-lBTrQWaf6wqYCYtu_FWZJTgNKs5Y_pGK56pgHQseNSKUbfxQdnPD-MHq5ZF9VNSgrpAsVO_aYEPoRE8q3y39QjBeNg0c6b2WUJfWp867-ZhMJWIC0VL6UTsH/s320/Day+11+-+Moscow+016.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black;">The best sight of all is St Basil's cathedral - the beautiful red, blue, green, white and gold onion domed church that is found on the covers of most</span><span style="color: black;"> guide books, postcards and adverts for Russia. </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">Opposite the Kremlin wall is the Gum department complex. What a beautiful 'shopping mall'! They have a long, large food emporium stocked with every imaginable food commodity, bottled, tinned, packaged and fresh. I wanted to take a photograph of the vodka display but a security guard shook his finger at me – no photos allowed.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">Everything was very expensive and we didn't buy anything from any of the shops. After having tea at a pavement coffee cafe we went back to the taxi rank at 1pm. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAuXDQv5pIA3rIIav8k1y2phOeAQIPrSBYDTcdYaPI_PwKAP5D7Pfux9s_0HesOkPPSBu0EFfRxLABqwSqzbX8mClOXjoD_nwHVQd33VnCjxDF64rQjsLSm9E-w1rCirlIqv2Fk71_czS/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAuXDQv5pIA3rIIav8k1y2phOeAQIPrSBYDTcdYaPI_PwKAP5D7Pfux9s_0HesOkPPSBu0EFfRxLABqwSqzbX8mClOXjoD_nwHVQd33VnCjxDF64rQjsLSm9E-w1rCirlIqv2Fk71_czS/s320/Day+10+Moscow+041.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black;">I was quite pooped from the outing so had a little lie down while Syl sat upstairs and updated the blog. 4pm was tea time and then at 7:30 we went to dinner. We watched a bit of TV in the room but the soccer match was too late so we switched off at around 10:30pm.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-13281243337944896942010-07-03T12:56:00.031+02:002010-07-09T10:23:05.094+02:00Day 10 – Scenic cruising and Moscow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0HqBRp4nGRuSVjKvufna6RbV6e_UDwSOzT7yOnUNrQSkrnwwcQJY7jJBT-jBds-nvyCsVCXbDqiGR-lJFt5mNPy4ehAqiBPgYTylFJJl92tL2YtaWvrS-4Q33d57oLzMlreCI7k8zWDq/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0HqBRp4nGRuSVjKvufna6RbV6e_UDwSOzT7yOnUNrQSkrnwwcQJY7jJBT-jBds-nvyCsVCXbDqiGR-lJFt5mNPy4ehAqiBPgYTylFJJl92tL2YtaWvrS-4Q33d57oLzMlreCI7k8zWDq/s320/Day+10+Moscow+004.JPG" /></a></div><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Patty:</span></strong> We didn't have to get up early today so I decided to skip breakfast. Syl brought be a bowl of fruit and yoghurt and a cup of tea. We went up to the Sky Bar to a "Disembarkation briefing" which gave us all the info on what to do on Monday when we disembark. Syl and I will be transferred to the airport at 9am - 5 hours before our flight which is at 14h40. Some passengers were very unhappy because their flights are at 6h45am and they have to leave the ship at 2h45am.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the Disembarkation talk we watched part one of a Video that has been made by a documentary maker who has been following the different tour groups around since the start. I appear briefly in the Summer Palace at Pushkin. We have decided to buy a copy when it is finished.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBietw1PZOn2HwOQNAkBKx9_RECkEKOH3eUgNkofvzTWFSZU6QmkDjWziKO9gq2cM5ZZVn-_75EvIy-6o3tMwFAptf5WFRLbU9pY_DYrOirGKow7wY_CY4thhIogQQJjiHxHS4AzyUwqX-/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBietw1PZOn2HwOQNAkBKx9_RECkEKOH3eUgNkofvzTWFSZU6QmkDjWziKO9gq2cM5ZZVn-_75EvIy-6o3tMwFAptf5WFRLbU9pY_DYrOirGKow7wY_CY4thhIogQQJjiHxHS4AzyUwqX-/s320/Day+10+Moscow+016.JPG" /></a></div>After lunch we went on the city tour - and what a beautiful city it is!! - but the guide told us that the Metro had stairs, steep escalators and was a busy place - too busy for a wheelchair, so we stayed with bus with two other couples. There was a Sushi Bar close by so we had afternoon tea there before being taken to a parking place close to Red Square. Syl took some photos of Red Square and at 6:15pm we left to go back to the ship. <br />
We could have gone to a folk song concert tonight but were told that the theatre had steep steps and that we would only get back to the boat after 9:30pm. I was too pooped by then. We went back to the boat and Syl worked on the blog while I watched television in the cabin. What a lovely surprise when Syl knocked on the door and held the laptop up to show me Mark and Emily and Tammy on the monitor! Tammy had Skyped Syl and she was able to speak to them and see little Emily!<br />
We finally got to bed at about 10:30pm.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Sylvia (Photo of the Kremlin wall and Gate)</span></strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsA98i4ZjuvYF1QtVaJ9qAULkqregYNZlD-niB6U-RuJbz1eZrWp67DuS2r_r3onWitEcdEz2Ahoqx7NdR6nLvSwO6MhagEUc9a4SKvTfj7tL0h8q1CUK6sam0bWhp0bYNltBgZ_NPJSR/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsA98i4ZjuvYF1QtVaJ9qAULkqregYNZlD-niB6U-RuJbz1eZrWp67DuS2r_r3onWitEcdEz2Ahoqx7NdR6nLvSwO6MhagEUc9a4SKvTfj7tL0h8q1CUK6sam0bWhp0bYNltBgZ_NPJSR/s320/Day+10+Moscow+023.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9sStLMLKrTEG0Je9DvWx5TmiDcjus25jfLg6MqOiaJg0wBqQfE4fXngXE1wEOdlvvsAPzzuVw6mcw2spy1H1yyxKMIgSN0ntY36lq2y9vUErjGG_DEyRKuQeNcSAyLEYZ5KtBpuAu0Pr/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9sStLMLKrTEG0Je9DvWx5TmiDcjus25jfLg6MqOiaJg0wBqQfE4fXngXE1wEOdlvvsAPzzuVw6mcw2spy1H1yyxKMIgSN0ntY36lq2y9vUErjGG_DEyRKuQeNcSAyLEYZ5KtBpuAu0Pr/s320/Day+10+Moscow+009.JPG" /></a>We spent the morning cruising down the 128km Moscow canal, dug out shovel by shovel by Gulag prisoners during Stalin’s time. The whole project required the construction of 240 complicated structures including 7 concrete dams, 8 earthen dams, 11 locks, 8 hydroelectric plants, 5 pump stations, 15 bridges, 2 tunnels, and a terminal for passengers and cargo. The project was considered a greater challenge and accomplishment than both the Panama and Suez canals. <br />
As we got nearer to Moscow, the banks of the canal became more and more populated with holiday homes, small suburbs, even nudist bathers. After lunch we joined our tour bus for a city tour of Moscow. Mikhail was back - recovered from his illness - and he introduced us to our city guide, a woman with a slow, sing-song voice that had us all nodding after 15 minutes.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were stunned by the size and elegance of the city with grand old buildings, many painted in pastel colours, the number of parks – apparently over 30% of Moscow consists of parks and gardens – and the hundreds of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT1v_44LtWBZEdXZ_3s3e9EYCIgeDqxjqkHpCs-4T6ND3cGoRLReX9B9sEqlljSbJNqwgERrc60raJHhQTbu5qgL_18bzoO9qqXQVQM3WBixQzjRT1tYJkF5zJFGRQ4Ry3klwQ1xTcXP6/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT1v_44LtWBZEdXZ_3s3e9EYCIgeDqxjqkHpCs-4T6ND3cGoRLReX9B9sEqlljSbJNqwgERrc60raJHhQTbu5qgL_18bzoO9qqXQVQM3WBixQzjRT1tYJkF5zJFGRQ4Ry3klwQ1xTcXP6/s320/Day+10+Moscow+006.JPG" /></a>colourful, domed churches still remaining. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The city reminded me of Paris but is, in my opinion, even more beauftiful. It even has a an Arc of Triumph in ts main street. Many of the streets have two names - an old Soviet name and the original Russian name. It was considered too costly and confusing to keep changing the street names so both names are on plaques on buildings and road signs. (Something our Durban City Manager could learn from!) We had two photo stops, one at the Novodevitchy Convent (where many of the past political leaders are buried). In the park is a row of bronze ducks given to Raisa Gorbechev by Mrs Bush. </div> The other stop was at Sparrow Hill, a view site above the city that overlooks the river and the city. <br />
Some people then continued on the Metro (difficult for wheelchairs) to Red Square. We were told that we would have to stay in the bus for about 45 minutes after whivch it would proceed to a parking spot next to Red Square where we would wait for the metro group to rejoin the bus. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1qoV1vGuJQ7FDAlsQrwtEnbr7sQTILrNTrtWLDR6TYTzBXrsqyqVvlbhle3gUPDESCmMk8vLY7RAAhD2DuNUuuKtCxxfsccSQBBK5WINLK-jPm5HgFUq2UObmbvJdpvFq3F_errpSbva/s1600/Day+10+Moscow+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1qoV1vGuJQ7FDAlsQrwtEnbr7sQTILrNTrtWLDR6TYTzBXrsqyqVvlbhle3gUPDESCmMk8vLY7RAAhD2DuNUuuKtCxxfsccSQBBK5WINLK-jPm5HgFUq2UObmbvJdpvFq3F_errpSbva/s320/Day+10+Moscow+019.JPG" /></a></div>We had a tea/coffee break and then the bus took us to the parking close to the Red Square where we parked for about 45 minutes before the others joined the bus. Some continued on another bus to a special concert and one busload came back to the ship.<strong><span style="color: #990000;"> I suggested to Kathrin, the events organiser, that those who decide not to go on the metro, for whatever reason, should be taken directly to Red Square by bus rather than have to wait in the bus for two hours.</span></strong> She was surprised as she thought we were being taken to Red Sqaure. Maybe they will change this aspect of the City Tour for future passengers. <br />
Because half of the tour groups had gone to the concert, dinner was only at 9:30pm and we were unable to get anything to eat on the boat. I walked quite a long way up the quay looking for a take-away place but they were all closed. Patty and I decided to give the late dinner a miss and have an early night instead. <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">I've suggested to Kathrin that this should also be changed - keep dinner at the normal time for those passengers who do not elect to go on the extra excursion and have a snack bar for those who come back to the boat at 10pm.</span></strong></div>The highlight of my day was when Tammy Skyped me and I was able to see my family – Tam and Mark and my noonoo Emily and my husband who held up a Windhoek Lager to the webcam!Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-11245249091496917322010-07-02T08:20:00.007+02:002010-07-09T08:08:07.009+02:00Day 9 - Uglich is not ugly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1JyZpxSpZT3bFug2OBaiiUnWr1r0XmxUQ52UR2Kjg8BfrKgPdFvMSSk2Lq1B-JGDnx43Ov1q3QD8Q7olLUE4vZi7lR8BIrak7ZM3IWHM3Y9IRVLLJqI5eKNsVqUV1gBj5aPLaf3rPjn_/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1JyZpxSpZT3bFug2OBaiiUnWr1r0XmxUQ52UR2Kjg8BfrKgPdFvMSSk2Lq1B-JGDnx43Ov1q3QD8Q7olLUE4vZi7lR8BIrak7ZM3IWHM3Y9IRVLLJqI5eKNsVqUV1gBj5aPLaf3rPjn_/s320/Day+9++!st+July+007.JPG" /></a></div><span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>Patty</strong></span><br />
The walking tour of Uglich started at 8h15 so we ordered a 6am wake up call which gave me time to shower, dress and have breakfast. We docked at 8am so Syl and I disembarked 15 mins early so that I could climb the 21 steps to the path above the wharf. Richard joined us and we spent a couple of hours with our guide strolling through the Kremlin, gardens and churches of Uglich. At our first stop I had to climb stairs again (puff, puff, puff) but it was worth it to listen to a quartet singing Russian chants and folksongs. I bought a double CD which I’m looking forward to listening to when we get home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUCTaYRy32m0Tb5r0EXJMBEqA3YgP933vzmv_OadlW3QRwkbxtaoal4GVK4gKVxPZvoib2jwTTKU-iEEirkQLyxeG65-j7vo8QPIRYkIIi6lbx5CfrG1VLDUwcnGnxJb03bf3HiWULWhE/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUCTaYRy32m0Tb5r0EXJMBEqA3YgP933vzmv_OadlW3QRwkbxtaoal4GVK4gKVxPZvoib2jwTTKU-iEEirkQLyxeG65-j7vo8QPIRYkIIi6lbx5CfrG1VLDUwcnGnxJb03bf3HiWULWhE/s320/Day+9++!st+July+016.JPG" /></a></div>I decided not to climb the stairs to the church of Dimitry of the Blood (too stuffy and claustrophobic inside for me). We were then allowed to wander around the little town. Syl went to visit the monastery in search of Santiago icons while Richard and I had a coffee and then one of the boat’s guides (Lydia) took us to the chemist where she translated for me to get something for my swollen feet and ankles. They were very good and asked about my blood pressure and heart etc and recognized the medication I was on. So now I am taking a diuretic and have to stay close to a loo! We had a lazy afternoon (could have attended a lecture on Putin and Democracy but gave it a miss) and then got ready for the Captain’s dinner. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRRC7MWd5kIICyNE9UAp8LblWYIu5Q9ZzG55-vVOrxfHF4soZHoYJj0qDkiq9M1QKBewSkFWrPh1jytehTbra7GkEDx9yKHGEhSNr9FPcSSJVyhvCSjUvM5H2V4_rys4zdQn17buxA66b/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRRC7MWd5kIICyNE9UAp8LblWYIu5Q9ZzG55-vVOrxfHF4soZHoYJj0qDkiq9M1QKBewSkFWrPh1jytehTbra7GkEDx9yKHGEhSNr9FPcSSJVyhvCSjUvM5H2V4_rys4zdQn17buxA66b/s320/Day+9++!st+July+012.JPG" /></a></div>The captain stood in a receiving line and we were all handed a glass of champagne before being taken to our tables. We sat with a couple from San Francisco and their daughter who lives in Baltimore.<br />
When we got back to our cabin there was a large box of chocolates from the management - nice touch. Just before we went to bed we went through a large lock – one of the 7 we will pass through on our way to Moscow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Sylvia </strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Xy3AZ4vNGjLvwj3_ta1f2yIo02BWPwkk7Wtp1YrhGnedK-u9LYmdYzn0QRyVtEgDFTpyDJ2Gl0a90t4o1xAiCsjPyYkTD-HNAKjNCa-kIdAfClubohAY_BoOLzhMioGKHCLEGajyTj3/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Xy3AZ4vNGjLvwj3_ta1f2yIo02BWPwkk7Wtp1YrhGnedK-u9LYmdYzn0QRyVtEgDFTpyDJ2Gl0a90t4o1xAiCsjPyYkTD-HNAKjNCa-kIdAfClubohAY_BoOLzhMioGKHCLEGajyTj3/s320/!st+July+Day+8+095.JPG" /></strong></a>Last night the meal was International Cuisine and we could have starters, mains and deserts from different countries. We got to bed at about 11pm and the tv was showing the webcam on the front of the boat. The sunset was so beautiful, I got up, got dressed and went up to take photos of the sunset<strong>.</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
This morning we docked at Uglich at 8am and I took Patty off the boat so that we could get a head start on the flight of steps up to the riverside road. What a wonderful sight – a blue, red and gold onion domed church right on the river. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOMEdbqympEaBulzOTAN7wfD07d5e5cUqSUJ0KksFJ4HSjJFd6gXq2TZ8_g5HF1Dg4XD0CLORg9zl59wF9ZS106xQ9RKVPyHjWn8q_XKzyMoHIKSsJa7UfQdRC7W_pup6wReA0jRBher1/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOMEdbqympEaBulzOTAN7wfD07d5e5cUqSUJ0KksFJ4HSjJFd6gXq2TZ8_g5HF1Dg4XD0CLORg9zl59wF9ZS106xQ9RKVPyHjWn8q_XKzyMoHIKSsJa7UfQdRC7W_pup6wReA0jRBher1/s320/Day+9++!st+July+005.JPG" /></a>We joined Mikhail and he introduced us to the city guide who led us to the Church of the Saviour’s Blood.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>One of the 'stories' told in paintings on the walls inside the church is of Dimitry, son of the King, who was ordered murdered by his father. The story is that only the bell puller saw what happened but when he reported it, the king ordered an investigation and found that his son’s death was the will of God and not murder because his son had slit his own throat - twice! Therefore, the poor bell puller had to be exiled to Siberia. The offending bells were also exiled where they stayed for 300 years. <br />
This small town used to have dozens of churches but they were destroyed by Stalin and the bells melted down to make artillery. I have been trying to find an icon of St James but so far with no luck. Nadia, one of the boat’s guides, was certain I would find one at the monastery which she wanted to visit, so we walked together to the Resurrection Monastery which is a pilgrimage destination during the summer months. Alas, no St Yakhov card or icon could be found. During Stalin’s time the Monastery of the Intercession with unique monuments of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries was blown up. The area was flodded and a hydropower station was erected in its place.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DoTVjdKAh-lpCFu4gjqvpqSG32-xZ-N9NIVrB1v9lOX5hchOyqRpG2lOuoBl0pJUO-XZJm-f4FN1AINmiQSSh6IMEWYtvL02RMgF7bDe0cnj-nhHZCTj6mCpOjbmxrnTrKKQ3C61L5zy/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DoTVjdKAh-lpCFu4gjqvpqSG32-xZ-N9NIVrB1v9lOX5hchOyqRpG2lOuoBl0pJUO-XZJm-f4FN1AINmiQSSh6IMEWYtvL02RMgF7bDe0cnj-nhHZCTj6mCpOjbmxrnTrKKQ3C61L5zy/s320/Day+9++!st+July+019.JPG" /></a>Nadia and I met up with Richard and Patty and after visiting a small bookstore and the chemist, we decided to take Patty into a jewelry shop to look at silver earings. Richard didn't see a step into the shop and the front wheels dropped down the step almost tipping Patty out! She screamed - ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH and clung to the chair! Richard nearly had a heart attack and the woman in the shop got such a fright! <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We laughed about it afterwards but poor Richard was shaken!</div><br />
We strolled through a gauntlet of souvenir stalls on the way back to the boat. We were able to buy a few magnets and other trinkets to take home. <br />
The boat sailed at 12pm and we had lunch. Most passengers agree that there is too much food on offer at lunch time. There is always a salad bar, small sandwiches, a pasta dish or two, as well as a menu to choose from. An interesting sight on the way was the beautiful belfry of the 16th c church of the Trinity surrounded by water - all that remains of the church when it was flodded for the making of the canal system. Two American passengers who make jewellery were comparing their necklaces, bracelets and ear-rings and soon had a group of interested people around them. One woman makes necklaces for a local store in California that sell for $450. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fdRP41DgCDTWyT0qE5TleGpj3IrCRS4BjLJ2_8n7VciCdp8WM4F3kancRb1XFfsJP7hQw_Bp5zhBBa59FghK4UsNp4vA4zhm_SPM35vTA_w30jDlFSTHCnRjzc-OjQVGExZNFF8c-G-4/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fdRP41DgCDTWyT0qE5TleGpj3IrCRS4BjLJ2_8n7VciCdp8WM4F3kancRb1XFfsJP7hQw_Bp5zhBBa59FghK4UsNp4vA4zhm_SPM35vTA_w30jDlFSTHCnRjzc-OjQVGExZNFF8c-G-4/s320/Day+7+%26+8+014.JPG" /></a></div>Patty and I dressed in our best finery for the Captain's dinner. Afterwards I went to the Panorma Bar to watch the boat passing through one of the largest locks on the canal. As we passed through the canal we saw a huge statue of Lenin on the right bank. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tomorrow we arrive in Moscow after lunch and will be taken on a city tour which lasts until early evening.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcbC0ysz6mqlZdtirPRt2PTJ5c16TcSkq_tBQIZeynM33NS1aZVmUDCE0IFCoUxlw2tlJKNqyutpxNTPGMciglMer2jwxon2dFYlXnhnaSl_NE5o5FQ-DA4FLO9AP5LOz17-YZf3JvkKo/s1600/Day+9++!st+July+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcbC0ysz6mqlZdtirPRt2PTJ5c16TcSkq_tBQIZeynM33NS1aZVmUDCE0IFCoUxlw2tlJKNqyutpxNTPGMciglMer2jwxon2dFYlXnhnaSl_NE5o5FQ-DA4FLO9AP5LOz17-YZf3JvkKo/s320/Day+9++!st+July+021.JPG" /></a></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-76654609691156717482010-07-01T16:48:00.006+02:002010-07-08T21:05:22.961+02:00Day 8 - Yaroslavl<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Patty</span></strong><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3tEuKaHPqCOKmopTVYWQaamlDQbAn-TRy9Kiyik42fFAbWlBUw4WwjWDKy730sr8RnPbWWaoeZS1pYIfulJlaZlwGJxzKvNiik5X_nwX9l25xS6tZ_h-nhw6cMQkdxUct7K94gkhXg5D/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3tEuKaHPqCOKmopTVYWQaamlDQbAn-TRy9Kiyik42fFAbWlBUw4WwjWDKy730sr8RnPbWWaoeZS1pYIfulJlaZlwGJxzKvNiik5X_nwX9l25xS6tZ_h-nhw6cMQkdxUct7K94gkhXg5D/s320/!st+July+Day+8+008.JPG" /></a>This morning I decided to go to breakfast and then come back to the cabin for a shower and rest. It is much easier for me to do it this way than to try and get up early enough to shower and dress before breakfast. I don't know why I haven't done this before - it would have made life much easier for me than trying to rush to get ready every morning.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After breakfast I had a rest and later on Syl took me up to the Panorama Bar before lunch. From time to time various people come and sit with us and chat. The majority of American’s are unhappy with President Obama and we’ve heard lots of complaints about his policies and administration.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Others want to know more about South Africa but most have never heard of Durban. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBT1bIPIls9JfW9L8icMhX4RDCPOAqLOKA40wlQ76pXxaVJQ5-pPep1kYYt2vtEjdO9oGh-bcDA39WPIXa0AuoFKdwlKjGnWomtckrTo5LNVRlKBn0PGySADT6TEb_Rh-52VV6Ra9vURoY/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBT1bIPIls9JfW9L8icMhX4RDCPOAqLOKA40wlQ76pXxaVJQ5-pPep1kYYt2vtEjdO9oGh-bcDA39WPIXa0AuoFKdwlKjGnWomtckrTo5LNVRlKBn0PGySADT6TEb_Rh-52VV6Ra9vURoY/s320/!st+July+Day+8+010.JPG" /></a>After lunch we had a brief rest and then had to be on the buses by 3pm. There are 6 buses and ours is No.21 (they go from 21 to 26). Our guide, who has been sick for a couple of days, was back today but he didn’t have to do much as there was a local guide to tell us about Yaroslavl – the 20th largest city in Russia and once the capital when Moscow was occupied by Finland. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our first stop was at an art gallery with a large exhibit of the lacquer boxes that are made all over Russia. I wasn’t able to go inside the building because of the steep staircases that lead to the rooms upstairs but Syl told me that the art was mostly by amateur artists from the city and that I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXJ1F0XgD8HKtFDYWUNG5t8nv77KwVXyWdT9CBVM0-lAXTx4UX0yocG95qsbWVaxxGvXUXS-3EIN1U2W-TiS2-vaHi2R3tbX4tN60U_HzZqKsunL7ftCt5C3DYOcjiHP5S4WLOGgKMkmZ/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXJ1F0XgD8HKtFDYWUNG5t8nv77KwVXyWdT9CBVM0-lAXTx4UX0yocG95qsbWVaxxGvXUXS-3EIN1U2W-TiS2-vaHi2R3tbX4tN60U_HzZqKsunL7ftCt5C3DYOcjiHP5S4WLOGgKMkmZ/s320/!st+July+Day+8+022.JPG" /></a>hadn’t missed much. The next stop was the church of Elijah the Prophet – with another long flight of stairs - and I decided not to go inside. Syl said that it was breathtaking so she took lots of photographs. At the next stop, in the city centre, we had an hour to meander along the pedestrian avenue with small shops and restaurants and also through a pedestrian flea market. We weren’t really tempted to buy anything although there were lots of stalls with really nice shoes, bags and a few stalls with interesting hats. We also went into the fresh food market and I bought a kg of big red cherries. The last stop was at the riverside but I stayed in the bus. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Getting in and out of the bus and in and out of the wheelchair is a bit of a mission so I decided not to get out again until we got back to the ship. Sylvia bought me a nice mug so that we don’t have keep smuggling a mug into our cabin and hiding it in the safe!</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tonight’s dinner was International Cuisine and I ate too much – again. We sat with Greg and Kathy from the US and Mary and John, the American and Australian couple. Tomorrow we arrive at Uglich and can join a walking tour of the Kremlin. Only problem is that is starts at 8h15 which is really early for me. So, it is now 10pm and I’d better get to bed.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Sylvia </span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk51hqh6j9_sDJkX2mlnqHbkAxV9L7ngY4T3Kr8hRstzTEhIM7AXozf51OX5rGxh1Q9GSXJEqQHKTU1t5OFuk7sZ1jiCEn7RFLtDIYHZdxj8uFGbFxAkhwcL5wcxG_tiQJ41lRo72kEbrl/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk51hqh6j9_sDJkX2mlnqHbkAxV9L7ngY4T3Kr8hRstzTEhIM7AXozf51OX5rGxh1Q9GSXJEqQHKTU1t5OFuk7sZ1jiCEn7RFLtDIYHZdxj8uFGbFxAkhwcL5wcxG_tiQJ41lRo72kEbrl/s320/Day+7+%26+8+023.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPUY0oImsa_J0tLDd9Qrn1gHneXmy-wIKJVj5IU65IXWlL0-bvFn60r1XmiroU2mVBMnYepy-lVq-nebVvvO_qM6FlTJ5h_qlfW17dNfTc01VV6tKlD66Y8ypiqFbmy_pTPqD5Rw05chW/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPUY0oImsa_J0tLDd9Qrn1gHneXmy-wIKJVj5IU65IXWlL0-bvFn60r1XmiroU2mVBMnYepy-lVq-nebVvvO_qM6FlTJ5h_qlfW17dNfTc01VV6tKlD66Y8ypiqFbmy_pTPqD5Rw05chW/s320/Day+7+%26+8+089.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" /></a> We didn’t have to get up early this morning as the shore excursion was only at 3pm. We could have joined an early Qi Gong exercise class from 8am to 8:30am and then a lecture on “Gorbatchev and Perestroika’ in the Sky Bar at 9am or 10h45 but I decided to chill out in the Panorama Bar instead while Patty rested. It is so interesting to cruise down the river, passing small villages and spying the occasional onion dome church in the trees. Lunch was at 12h30 and our boat arrived in Yaroslavl at 3pm. We passed numerous small hamlets and communities along the banks of the reservoir. It was hard to imagine that this area once consisted of 4000ha of arable farmland, 700 villages and pristine forests – all submerged when Stalin decided to flood the area and create the reservoir. People living here had to make their way to unknown destinations and the reservoir and canals were built by Gulag prisoners. Yaroslavl is one of the oldest and best known Russian cities founded by Prince Yaroslavl in the 10th century. </div></div>It became on of the most prominent mercantile centres of the upper Volga Regions. Russia’s first national theatre was established here and the first major national newspaper was also started here in the 18th century. In the 1930’s Yaroslavl produced the countries’ first heavy-duty trucks, trolley buses and its first diesel engines. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRb5DMUUrbd-vSmMS4YUKDQeAWkiK0rRSkhhjnxjOjiFWiBC7Vv2ym85Hag3jtfgLGmOB6ki240G1jbQT4Dirj26uJ-cUg1cuukMzAY0MnLT0qIwBDzzTrZcaWmTfCgVou2Q8fghcq1d3/s1600/!st+July+Day+8+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRb5DMUUrbd-vSmMS4YUKDQeAWkiK0rRSkhhjnxjOjiFWiBC7Vv2ym85Hag3jtfgLGmOB6ki240G1jbQT4Dirj26uJ-cUg1cuukMzAY0MnLT0qIwBDzzTrZcaWmTfCgVou2Q8fghcq1d3/s320/!st+July+Day+8+041.JPG" /></a>It is connected to Moscow – about 280km away- by river (in summer) road and rail. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are numerous churches in Yaroslavl, most of them heavily decorated with wall paintings, frescos and iconostas. We visited the Church of Elijah the Prophet which survived by the skin of teeth when the soviets planned on blowing it up. We also visited the 13thC Spassky Monastery assemble built alongside the river. The town has an 18th century arcaded shopping area with goods from all over Europe and the east. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We didn’t get back to the boat until 6:45pm and the boat sailed at 7pm. There was a daily briefing before dinner. We had an 'early' night - 10:15pm. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-79963100288012153532010-07-01T04:46:00.006+02:002010-07-08T20:28:26.098+02:00Day 7 Matushka Volga (Dear Mother Volga)Patty:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKWkN76j7nDS7BsJ7_cZsou9PI40Rd8gsD3kNLD9IhxlKUlD1iusc5fMiV1cvOZ2w0dNgWw277-ddZ2Pnt5gktNaTzXI_odgv9LcxmKhmqjclMnuNN9OUs3V0W6xx-Xm_DMYqsP8urONK/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKWkN76j7nDS7BsJ7_cZsou9PI40Rd8gsD3kNLD9IhxlKUlD1iusc5fMiV1cvOZ2w0dNgWw277-ddZ2Pnt5gktNaTzXI_odgv9LcxmKhmqjclMnuNN9OUs3V0W6xx-Xm_DMYqsP8urONK/s320/Day+7+%26+8+069.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL73GnvDqmWnx7fSV42XQUgF_MZLspOISx0WXpT0eQFfeG6sYiusSGYR5Hbi4Cch3PCpTeBTI7dul2rG9BdyHhMUrtsk_BHOLIbx5stfIdhXwnASQ5HDCZwdO7ef3WZMiN_3V4BaOXpc_c/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL73GnvDqmWnx7fSV42XQUgF_MZLspOISx0WXpT0eQFfeG6sYiusSGYR5Hbi4Cch3PCpTeBTI7dul2rG9BdyHhMUrtsk_BHOLIbx5stfIdhXwnASQ5HDCZwdO7ef3WZMiN_3V4BaOXpc_c/s320/Day+7+%26+8+020.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I decided not to go to breakfast yesterday. Syl fetched me later and we sat in the Panorama bar watching the scenery as we floated by until lunch time. It was great to bask in the sun, cruising down the river. After lunch I had a lie down while Syl visited the monastery on Goritsky. The event manager suggested that the cobbles and stairs would make it impossible with the wheelchair. I decided to take a walk down to the library and met Richard and he took me up to the restaurant for tea. As we arrived, Syl was coming down to fetch me. It was a Russian tea with a wonderful spread of cakes, pastries, biscuits etc and Richard collected a platter each of different cakes for us to choose from. We scoffed the lot! After tea we returned to the Panorama Bar and I had my first whiskey. And then we went dinner!! And guess what we did then? Ate, ate and ate some more! We went through a few more locks and during the night we had some rough water as we crossed the Rybinsk reservoir. This morning we went through another lock before breakfast. </div></div>We passed under the bridge of the town of Rybinsk during breakfast and then continued sailing down the Mother Volga. I went back to the cabin for a little zizzz and returned to the Panorama Bar before lunch.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Sylvia </span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BUp0rY2V8_RTtQChtrX4jyo0fzJpi6920IumbrILGlR3grg10X0uo_eo-j2OQOZpwsVL9K9QoNo_VMnOwko4Y-QdBg-1T_EdlMkazqfzWMDUHExal8sfxyBe254-rg23cLBRPIPYme-0/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BUp0rY2V8_RTtQChtrX4jyo0fzJpi6920IumbrILGlR3grg10X0uo_eo-j2OQOZpwsVL9K9QoNo_VMnOwko4Y-QdBg-1T_EdlMkazqfzWMDUHExal8sfxyBe254-rg23cLBRPIPYme-0/s320/Day+7+%26+8+074.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today we cruised along the Volga-Baltic Waterway, an extended system of rivers, lakes and canals that <span style="color: black;">link the Baltic Sea with the Volga River. Its total length from St Petersburg to the Rybinks Reservoir is about 1 100km. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuJp8Geixi04YlJb000Xs6Tx1dAvZ0L-y5olJM8IaWovS6mkAqQ1Wi9juOAeE6OOm5ocx0-JyEFz5Tr0nTWTin8DgPysU8Y7j41RTcZrZac2IMmASsl7aO4Beiqjo9ET4QjvT1e6HWnDm/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuJp8Geixi04YlJb000Xs6Tx1dAvZ0L-y5olJM8IaWovS6mkAqQ1Wi9juOAeE6OOm5ocx0-JyEFz5Tr0nTWTin8DgPysU8Y7j41RTcZrZac2IMmASsl7aO4Beiqjo9ET4QjvT1e6HWnDm/s320/Day+7+%26+8+040.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" /></a>We disembarked at Gorinsky for our shore excursion to the Kirrollov-Belozersky Monastery founded in 1397 by St Cyril. Set on an inland lake – Siverskoye – this is the largest monastery complex in Europe. It was fortified in the 15th and 17th centuries and now houses a museum with precious Iconostas and frescos. The boat berthed at a newly built dock with wooden buildings still under construction. There is the ever present souvenir shop, a small restaurant and wooden boats on display depicting typical Russian small boats used by the locals since they first settled here. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we returned to the boat we were invited to a Russian tea with a buffet of cakes, pastries, pancakes and biscuits. The girls were all dressed in typical Russian folk dresses. At dinner we joined Greg and Kathy – an American couple we had met at the airport on our first day. Another couple – an Australian married to an American joined us for coffee. When we went to bed we entered another lock but this time we dropped down instead of rising up a level.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></span></strong><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLPpQ72pfuYDZRc4fxdaqEHfYI8GSU39g84YzeoZ0MPZT2Q0zIOySAggjKKHISmo77gqLNp9M-3y00ARSabNpTBnBi0oa73-Q2xkdIA9lFDBpNCDKmus239xn7HN1e-kZNVKk6mIIOdhQ/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLPpQ72pfuYDZRc4fxdaqEHfYI8GSU39g84YzeoZ0MPZT2Q0zIOySAggjKKHISmo77gqLNp9M-3y00ARSabNpTBnBi0oa73-Q2xkdIA9lFDBpNCDKmus239xn7HN1e-kZNVKk6mIIOdhQ/s320/Day+7+%26+8+060.JPG" /></a></div><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuJp8Geixi04YlJb000Xs6Tx1dAvZ0L-y5olJM8IaWovS6mkAqQ1Wi9juOAeE6OOm5ocx0-JyEFz5Tr0nTWTin8DgPysU8Y7j41RTcZrZac2IMmASsl7aO4Beiqjo9ET4QjvT1e6HWnDm/s320/Day+7+%26+8+040.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 124px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 905px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" />Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-55381439133566129592010-06-29T17:45:00.030+02:002010-07-08T22:55:18.846+02:00Day 6 - A wooden church with no nails!<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Sylvia:</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rrai2B9p4OT1CX6nXH4fVmnD_NR3xEHYpTsekoS5gAXNvi0zp8IYjuP-Lb5QeW-puObSZepumz5yFC9KiMFmaGqT23DnkLyIm7vZCTiza4TtZ0QmjS0hGV6tR1VQbEu-mgibHhS-Go9-/s1600/Day+5+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rrai2B9p4OT1CX6nXH4fVmnD_NR3xEHYpTsekoS5gAXNvi0zp8IYjuP-Lb5QeW-puObSZepumz5yFC9KiMFmaGqT23DnkLyIm7vZCTiza4TtZ0QmjS0hGV6tR1VQbEu-mgibHhS-Go9-/s400/Day+5+069.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGnT2FfkeqMSOImLelYl3ehzhu_yTdKl8pbQXkYGXHq3RJ4HeQ2o8hekS6egPtPM1lAsd2T1vr63Ka9IQBgOBxgsgnTAJyrj7n-LOIsdmohMQW0-Gv-WoAL6WBYfA4A5mHsJobA7x4S6A/s1600/Day+5+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGnT2FfkeqMSOImLelYl3ehzhu_yTdKl8pbQXkYGXHq3RJ4HeQ2o8hekS6egPtPM1lAsd2T1vr63Ka9IQBgOBxgsgnTAJyrj7n-LOIsdmohMQW0-Gv-WoAL6WBYfA4A5mHsJobA7x4S6A/s320/Day+5+071.JPG" /></a>Last night we sat with a different couple from Germany. Richard joined our table and there was a bit of banter about the England team losing 4-1 to Germany. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once again we had an excellent meal and didn’t get to bed until after 10:45pm. Patty decided that she wouldn’t go to breakfast in the morning. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were woken by a 6h30 wake-up call and I made Patty a cup of tea before going to breakfast. We had to be ready early for our excursion on the island of Kizhi.<br />
Dieter, the boat manager, offered to send a sailor with us on Kizhi as there were cobble stones and gravel paths. <br />
At breakfast I sat with a lovely Southern Lady from the USA. We have been sailing about 150km northward on the second largest lake in Europe and at 8h30 our boat berthed on Kizhi island, one of the most ancient inhabited sites in Russia.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2HhzpX0iS0mTnGdrExQfN3_-bJ1mpz-HvCoqmC-tPAArMGBtTiRtW4hECMoz5TdsRKOU7KttjMjHi4mrQ9O6uWtdk_Na4RgFja_uV-mfAMaLAvKt7KR98-S-qeQ88vytJcxsZuaoSSaa/s1600/Day+5+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2HhzpX0iS0mTnGdrExQfN3_-bJ1mpz-HvCoqmC-tPAArMGBtTiRtW4hECMoz5TdsRKOU7KttjMjHi4mrQ9O6uWtdk_Na4RgFja_uV-mfAMaLAvKt7KR98-S-qeQ88vytJcxsZuaoSSaa/s320/Day+5+066.JPG" /></a></div>This small island – 6km by 1km - is now an open air architectural museum and UNESCO heritage site. The magnificent wooden church of the Transfiguration and the nearby wooden church of Intercession were built in the early 18thc completely of wood with no nails. The Transfiguration Church has 22 timbered onion domes. We were allowed into the Intercession Church and whilst there, three black robed monks sang a special chant. The walls are lined with magnificent Iconostas. I asked one of the monks to point out the Apostle Jacob and he showed me the Apostle Iakhov (fourth from left) and another Icon of Jacob, the father of the people.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqXTP7qTr6CXsWhhc5x5nbZQVLEl-ejTnCqVRxle0rfbvxFDNKUqi3fL5N-lGARXlQXXkhSdXcghJAE_bfhUcR1GonIFQ87AoczB5Zax97_mkMZioQJZP2sTy00mmaWghAQfeGNmvsQzT/s1600/Day+5+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqXTP7qTr6CXsWhhc5x5nbZQVLEl-ejTnCqVRxle0rfbvxFDNKUqi3fL5N-lGARXlQXXkhSdXcghJAE_bfhUcR1GonIFQ87AoczB5Zax97_mkMZioQJZP2sTy00mmaWghAQfeGNmvsQzT/s320/Day+5+070.JPG" /></a></div>The whole structure of the Transfiguration Church is under repair and the inside is held up by scaffolding. Our guide told us that without appropriate treatment the entire structure could be lost within ten to fifteen years. Other typically Russian wooden structures like windmills, bathhouse, chapel, bell towers etc have been brought here from other parts of the Onega Lake. People living there wear peasant clothing aand demonstrate traditional farming, sculpting, carving etc.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip15dqE0zOYfgaejMf7dL-MFT-ShT5Ll6xkwqSyjFCt-J2XoDZdm6FtRsH_NEu2L5hXVUVay3dafIxH7AKJftQbWNiHRPXHj8gJuMETG488-LZbuStKZtljURVRTrA-mCJo0O6sTcWtfeU/s1600/Day+5+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip15dqE0zOYfgaejMf7dL-MFT-ShT5Ll6xkwqSyjFCt-J2XoDZdm6FtRsH_NEu2L5hXVUVay3dafIxH7AKJftQbWNiHRPXHj8gJuMETG488-LZbuStKZtljURVRTrA-mCJo0O6sTcWtfeU/s320/Day+5+049.JPG" /></a> Patty and I managed fine on the boadwalks and Richard helped us when the path turned to gravel.<br />
We went back to the boat for lunch and set sail again down the Neva. From 2pm to 3:30pm we could visit the Captain’s bridge and at 4:45pm attend a lecture on the Romanovs in the Sky Bar. This was a fascinating talk and many of the slides she used, showing the various Romanov’s, were taken in the palaces we have already seen. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>What sad, tumuluous and in the end, violent lives they led. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I fetched Patty from the room at about 5:45pm and we sat with two Australian couples in the Panorama Bar until supper time. It was a Russian evening and the male staff members were dressed in red tunics with floral trim and the females in Russian folk dresses – rather odd for people from the Philippines!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZST3gkfrQiH4DhVZwsFbuU-JuI6UMPCO0IMiUrd68cjFNkksgz_-uBkZckREig0z52L8WzML2H-SUhVdhhg2i2xCfIO97J1FKa9JBzCqAGctYcVqCvHr1yEwmijBs4iK25c6UH_ELrXI/s1600/Day+7+%26+8+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZST3gkfrQiH4DhVZwsFbuU-JuI6UMPCO0IMiUrd68cjFNkksgz_-uBkZckREig0z52L8WzML2H-SUhVdhhg2i2xCfIO97J1FKa9JBzCqAGctYcVqCvHr1yEwmijBs4iK25c6UH_ELrXI/s320/Day+7+%26+8+067.JPG" /></a></div>Today we left Lake Onega and joined the waters of the Vytegra Canal via a lock, rising about 13m into the Vytegra reservoir. The 2nd lock, at the Belousovskiy Hydroplant took us up another 13m into the Belousovskiy reservoir. After dinner, at around 9pm we went through the 3rd lock at Novinkinskiy into the Novinkinskiy reservoir. We will rise from sea level at\St Petersburg to over 150m at Moscow. It is interesting that these rivers and canals are frozen during the winter months and are used by vehicular traffic. It’s hard to imagine trucks and cars zooming down the rivers!<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Patricia</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStuaUtELwu0fN2CayRCYixUWTHTNLiCLt4lSsKdiSAAoqKgQmI-0rKrAxdJXJIjhSVE5bWy9lxv9l0PO8Wsj-s1NQA_-KemVm2dIicY13DrNSznPuBjmZcaUqYlhPscsAAea5_IyubkqK/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStuaUtELwu0fN2CayRCYixUWTHTNLiCLt4lSsKdiSAAoqKgQmI-0rKrAxdJXJIjhSVE5bWy9lxv9l0PO8Wsj-s1NQA_-KemVm2dIicY13DrNSznPuBjmZcaUqYlhPscsAAea5_IyubkqK/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I<em> </em>didn’t go to breakfast because I needed to wash my hair and showering, drying, dressing and doing the hair takes forever. We had to leave the boat at 8h30 to visit Kizhi Island. Last night at dinner, our new best friend Richard offered to push me around the island to give Sylvia a rest. (We didn't need the sailor Dieter offered us).<br />
He was there at 8h30 and so I had a new driver today. We saw the most incredible wooden Churches - but nothing like you have ever seen in South Africa or anywhere else for that matter. It was interesting that the larger church was the summer church and the winter churches are small. They can’t heat the large church in summer and the winter church – easier to heat - doesn't <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOhIoXdZLuIwroScjZ7MI1vduSCyw7jv-rBSRsihZaPo1lhtoRdbU4_qQlxEEctkezUnrT-9T1r0SVW_0d-kZxpWniyy1isVepCAk8kXSZORlNGOcUNOvi0Yk-xe0hxZmMDMy6tNasLQw/s1600/Day+5+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOhIoXdZLuIwroScjZ7MI1vduSCyw7jv-rBSRsihZaPo1lhtoRdbU4_qQlxEEctkezUnrT-9T1r0SVW_0d-kZxpWniyy1isVepCAk8kXSZORlNGOcUNOvi0Yk-xe0hxZmMDMy6tNasLQw/s320/Day+5+030.JPG" /></a></div></div>have so many attending in winter. It get to -30oC in winter. <br />
Syl has been taking photographs of all sorts of things that I can use for my painting - strange fences that I’ve never seen before, roofs on houses with very different styles, scenery as we cruise along the waterways – all very exciting! There were farm workers using scythes to cut the grass today – it looked like a medieval scene!<br />
Back at the boat I sat in the library for while and chatted about art with the restaurant manager. Then Syl came to fetch me and I had a Bloody Mary in the Panorama Bar before going to dinner. Tonight I had a tomato and Basel salad, then a delicious Butterfish and a typical Russian soft cheese desert with strawberry sauce. We have <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>both put on weight because all we do here is eat!Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-88297356762447944442010-06-27T15:16:00.008+02:002010-07-08T22:51:19.598+02:00Day 5: Cruising down the Neva<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Patricia</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgBB_jLU4GrjsO7wFTrrZWVORKbUr09hVnhhyphenhyphenOziMnUjlxMlMgk6EoIGdh3F1tceGocBUmqe81qSUPpYDrOaE5ENJMgFsPWWAsvF_WrI5_uPmAMBCYIsaBK5aEPtoII-SdRd1kNUxwNst/s1600/Day+5+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgBB_jLU4GrjsO7wFTrrZWVORKbUr09hVnhhyphenhyphenOziMnUjlxMlMgk6EoIGdh3F1tceGocBUmqe81qSUPpYDrOaE5ENJMgFsPWWAsvF_WrI5_uPmAMBCYIsaBK5aEPtoII-SdRd1kNUxwNst/s320/Day+5+016.JPG" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d;">I am alive today! I had such a good sleep because Syl put the <strong>Do Not Disturb</strong> sign on the door - and it worked. I stayed in bed until mid-day and only got up when Syl came to collect me for lunch. I didn't mind skipping breakfast because we have been living from one meal time to the next so I had a banana and a cup of tea.</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #20124d;">We had a wonderful lunch - a salad buffet, sandwiches and a tortellini which I thought was lunch, but there was also a main menu to choose from! The food here is above 5 star. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPq8QAUU8bEXhCSqOtgoE6ALFkywp5_N7wz2-WEapHOoSNXcsxwiWxiPdbR7xXUpEXa0GPX8J6bz3zOFSGWfA_DHM5M6LCcXVOi_yF2Qu4HcZiGWR1i1ahA2pjQPHMBTZS8vkAhwBRwlD/s1600/Day+5+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPq8QAUU8bEXhCSqOtgoE6ALFkywp5_N7wz2-WEapHOoSNXcsxwiWxiPdbR7xXUpEXa0GPX8J6bz3zOFSGWfA_DHM5M6LCcXVOi_yF2Qu4HcZiGWR1i1ahA2pjQPHMBTZS8vkAhwBRwlD/s320/Day+5+024.JPG" /></a><br />
Our guide warned us that the visit to Mandrogy would be difficult but we decided to visit it anyway. At 2pm we arrived at the 'cooked up village' with wooden houses, strange totem poles and tourist souvenir shops. There used to be a real village here but it was destroyed during WW11 and all the inhabitants moved away and settled in other villages. In 1996 Sergei Gutzeit, a St. Petersburg entrepreneur and patron of the arts, decided to revive the village and make it a tourist destination for the many tourists on the river cruises between St. Petersburg to Moscow and Kizhi. <br />
There were a few buildings I didn't go into - by choice - but I visited the main one with all the crafts and shops and it wasn't difficult for Syl to push me around the village.<br />
When we got back to the boat we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Panorama bar at the front of the boat with windows all around so that we get this wonderful view of the river side villages and an occasional passing boat. After two teas, I decided to have a Bloody Mary - with Russian Vodka - which was much stronger than the Virgin <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdFaanVgTrciM246o-wHV7l5n3QBR2mhQmdL_814dXe9iabX_qZ00IY3y6AUAZg2iiqTwEkoOrHdyDcuPnij1kXEObX7mQZ93LEY9pNWTUpCbztZELuOdeclHW_md2ZCyuDws4gGAUimI/s1600/Day+5+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdFaanVgTrciM246o-wHV7l5n3QBR2mhQmdL_814dXe9iabX_qZ00IY3y6AUAZg2iiqTwEkoOrHdyDcuPnij1kXEObX7mQZ93LEY9pNWTUpCbztZELuOdeclHW_md2ZCyuDws4gGAUimI/s320/Day+5+041.JPG" /></a>Mary I had the other day.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Sylvia</span></strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last night – or early this morning – I felt the boat start up and rocking as we sailed on down the Neva. Patty decided to have a pyjama day today so stayed in bed while I went to breakfast. After breakfast we assembled in the Sky Bar for a lecture on Russia given by our guide Mikhail. He referred to a large map of Russia and told us about the history, the people and their languages, geography, agriculture, trade and industry, politics etc. Russia wraps around almost half of the globe, with 11 time zones (there <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4oYXnY9W10HvEqA1zQJlr1sWOHBktq2D_c_ANOxHsDgXoLQP1QKMNUPuwDMuMCPzaa-eGJhyphenhypheneyRLXoM8wU9NPR3S1_2BFp_Z5lw8EJ7UFmy4LGd-V75-0jcedYu8wD1ucasSLFu1ai3y/s1600/Day+5+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4oYXnY9W10HvEqA1zQJlr1sWOHBktq2D_c_ANOxHsDgXoLQP1QKMNUPuwDMuMCPzaa-eGJhyphenhypheneyRLXoM8wU9NPR3S1_2BFp_Z5lw8EJ7UFmy4LGd-V75-0jcedYu8wD1ucasSLFu1ai3y/s320/Day+5+039.JPG" /></a>are 24 altogether) has 84 states but only 150m people. The bulk of Russia is made up of Siberia with the northern part being mostly un-inhabitable with no industries and few people. He spoke about the changes in the country, pointing out two sides of the coin. Housing, medical, education etc used to be free, now people pay. People can now own land and build their own houses or start businesses but very few can afford to do so. They can choose to use the government medical service or pay for private services (which are more costly). People can now travel extensively. Crime has increased because, in the past the KGB were the police, judge and jury and crime was practically unheard of. Now there is a lot of crime and many places that people find unsafe – especially in large cities and at night. He spoke about freedom of speech, association and religion. The majority of Russians follow the Eastern Orthodox church (not the Roman Catholic Church). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJNWIazHIm_HGy5Lzl9FHfrZmH9r4lUrH6oqQiJ7pMhyphenhyphenYOs78_RgJ7XJCZ5CXXzcUjHfZSG8Yax6eel4ahrLVvgYyLIDcOTsOMC4Uo3whNn7PqXBNsItoInFSVJVRcNpTbOBqXClsL9ks/s1600/Day+5+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJNWIazHIm_HGy5Lzl9FHfrZmH9r4lUrH6oqQiJ7pMhyphenhyphenYOs78_RgJ7XJCZ5CXXzcUjHfZSG8Yax6eel4ahrLVvgYyLIDcOTsOMC4Uo3whNn7PqXBNsItoInFSVJVRcNpTbOBqXClsL9ks/s320/Day+5+028.JPG" /></a> There are Lutherans in the North West border with Finland, Islam in the South, and Buddhists on the border with China and even a few Hare Krishna’s. Michael said that he didn’t think the Krishnas would survive because they shave their heads, wear thin cloth, don’t eat meat or drink alcohol! To survive in Russia you need to wear fur, eat a big steak and toast God with vodka!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
After that talk, another guide gave a talk on Russian Souvenirs and what we could expect to find as we travelled down the river. Most of the souvenirs are made of wood – of which there is abundance. During the winter there is little to do and most souvenirs are crafted during the long winter months.<br />
At 12h30 we went to lunch - all we do is eat, eat, eat! At 2pm we berthed next to the restored Arts and Crafts village of Mandogry where we saw typical wooden Russian houses, a pottery, art centre - where 4 young women were painting the little dolls we see everywhere, as well as a Vodka museum, and a souvenir shop. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM5vW5QUlNfd4s32qS93dLKbfqm3E02b6A_hFz0cf3nRMS_FnsFHQJJtWtgOLS6FaIuXG7ozZydbkReSQBbWlyAQVA6EF2lHdXmgMQNNTNX1TngazZL7EUGuua1IvDqzkkRltX2ge_7mH/s1600/Day+5+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM5vW5QUlNfd4s32qS93dLKbfqm3E02b6A_hFz0cf3nRMS_FnsFHQJJtWtgOLS6FaIuXG7ozZydbkReSQBbWlyAQVA6EF2lHdXmgMQNNTNX1TngazZL7EUGuua1IvDqzkkRltX2ge_7mH/s320/Day+5+029.JPG" /></a> Its a bit like Shakaland at home - a village re-created in the style of old Russia for tourists.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we got back to the boat we went up to the Panorma bar and here we sit, sipping tea and hot chocolate, as we set off again, cruising down the Svir.<br />
We heard that Mikhail had taken ill half-way through his second lecture on Russian History and that we would have a different guid the next day.</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-19956856397148236152010-06-27T14:10:00.011+02:002010-07-08T22:47:09.917+02:00Day 4: Very expensive tea!<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr4GvWOvutPMdErlP0Z0_7iJ7TCCdOJTZZ5QeKjoKu1OZm3GTmzKsjnRdruwSeGYK61-ERwyTrwZEN7oCUnGJk3mCp8DylAWW1td2wE0mR-f5Lzq0NK4C6cnF30USKtiljDP6xeIVebsn/s1600/Saturday+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr4GvWOvutPMdErlP0Z0_7iJ7TCCdOJTZZ5QeKjoKu1OZm3GTmzKsjnRdruwSeGYK61-ERwyTrwZEN7oCUnGJk3mCp8DylAWW1td2wE0mR-f5Lzq0NK4C6cnF30USKtiljDP6xeIVebsn/s320/Saturday+004.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Sylvia</strong></span><br />
We could have gone on optional tours today to another palace – Peterhof - or a canal cruise – but decided instead to stay in and rest and catch up with the blog and emails. We stayed in bed until 7h45 and had a leisurely breakfast before taking our books and laptop to the Panorma Bar where we stayed until lunchtime. <br />
At 3pm were boarded the bus which took us to the Arts Square in St Petersburg which is close to the main street, Nevsky Prospekt. The Lutheran church of St Peters in Nevsky Prospekt, which was used as an indoor swimming pool was returned to the Lutherans and is now being used as a church. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HlBx74ATbw3KWbps3nVFvPCUUsSVHV5Sqxyi95V3kaEpqHPCBr71TNBJy7KaZolz0IVWNbqeImmccZpMHHD6tga9AWJ0Mk5HuveKIpreXQKRtQE1omIXICckfODZKXkmNbKgrMySgwfu/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HlBx74ATbw3KWbps3nVFvPCUUsSVHV5Sqxyi95V3kaEpqHPCBr71TNBJy7KaZolz0IVWNbqeImmccZpMHHD6tga9AWJ0Mk5HuveKIpreXQKRtQE1omIXICckfODZKXkmNbKgrMySgwfu/s320/038.JPG" /></a> It was raining again so I wore my Altus raincoat and Patty carried her umbrella. I took her to see the church of the Saviour of the Blood, one of the most famous onion dome structures in Russia. (Those are the domes in the header of this blog). The guide warned us not to have coffee at the Grand Hotel Europa because it was so expensive but we decided to give it a try and sit under the canvas canopies at their pavement café. We had a pot of tea and hot chocolate with complimentary biscuits and meringues for 550 Roubles. Actually, I think we were had because she didn’t bring us a bill, just told us what the cost was and we paid, and gave her a tip. The guide told us that a pot of tea in a nice place usually costs around 100 roubles! <br />
We got back just in time to shower and change and go up to the Sky bar for welcoming cocktails at 6:30pm. The captain, his first mate and the event manager introduced the crew and the head chef, restaurant manager, tour guides etc. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wYt-gm7etoVaI8SDLNy39pjQG_eLvPyy34p4Rwrr6sQgq2fxUceEHwtHHWfdBsIOdj-4Rgi8XyA6FBRpHs3poW9fHKTgToQ_avAEC-PkkDZ0oLDE6JrzhdYVlB18hVugRRDyeYiFfdK8/s1600/Saturday+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wYt-gm7etoVaI8SDLNy39pjQG_eLvPyy34p4Rwrr6sQgq2fxUceEHwtHHWfdBsIOdj-4Rgi8XyA6FBRpHs3poW9fHKTgToQ_avAEC-PkkDZ0oLDE6JrzhdYVlB18hVugRRDyeYiFfdK8/s320/Saturday+006.JPG" /></a> At 7pm sharp the boat set sail down the Neva, under the first bridge and past the city. For the first time we saw houses on the banks of the river, mainly summer homes. Dinner started late – at about 8:30pm and we sat with Richard tonight. Patty and Richard shared a bottle of Merlot so they were in fine form (I had water!). <br />
It was announced that, because the level of the river was about 15cm higher than usual we wouldn’t be able to sail under one of the bridges so we would drop anchor and at 2am the road bridge would be raised so that we could continue on our journey. We only got to bed after 10:45pm.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Patricia</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPmpjG8bKWSV3xnit6xFidDeucr2ar4eYJ1lyX9oEdxzz3tKVMxMARxngKYhwSK95YI73TmieADbdtOTShUSsAlCac1X7gwAPABe1Xzt_-OdUhoQtvDav0M729W3R5uDyyR_jmMGZoL_N/s1600/Day+3+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPmpjG8bKWSV3xnit6xFidDeucr2ar4eYJ1lyX9oEdxzz3tKVMxMARxngKYhwSK95YI73TmieADbdtOTShUSsAlCac1X7gwAPABe1Xzt_-OdUhoQtvDav0M729W3R5uDyyR_jmMGZoL_N/s320/Day+3+010.JPG" /></a></div>The events guide woke us with an intercom message at 7h45 otherwise we would have carried on sleeping this morning. It was great to sit upstairs with no rush to get onto a bus or go on a tour this morning. The afternoon free time in the city was great too.<br />
St Petersburg is beautifully laid out with wide boulevards and gracious old buildings. Syl took me to see the the church of the Saviour of the Blood. It was quite strange to finally see it for real because I have seen it so often in the books Shaun bought me and it was unreal to stand in front of it at last. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA4SLTh0mhaapqLGcpxMpZR4hWgY7pBYLwi862kEq8ySDPVS5jb5fBaOQH50bDavApk3d-v0h-CAOmppYkQwMSAXHCbbZ0DIgrW36nyvi8_HR68yrRwJpRUPd__R4pbfXHcPbs0krdeKk/s1600/GrandHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA4SLTh0mhaapqLGcpxMpZR4hWgY7pBYLwi862kEq8ySDPVS5jb5fBaOQH50bDavApk3d-v0h-CAOmppYkQwMSAXHCbbZ0DIgrW36nyvi8_HR68yrRwJpRUPd__R4pbfXHcPbs0krdeKk/s320/GrandHotel.jpg" /></a>After sightseeing, we sat under the red canopies of the Grand Hotel Europe - one of the top 10 hotels in the world - watching the hoi-palloi walking past us while we had our very expensive tea - about R140 for tea and a cup of Horlicks. We watched smartly dressed men entering the hotel and fashonable young ladies struggle by on the cobble stones in 10” high heels.</div> The Russians are very fashionable and the summer fashion seems to be dresses - very pretty, summer dresses.<br />
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When we got back to the boat there was a notice that the doll painting workshop had been cancelled due to a lack of numbers. (Sorry Di, I was going to bring you back some hand-painted dolls!)<br />
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</div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-48196261058584511222010-06-25T20:17:00.007+02:002010-07-08T22:44:36.912+02:00Day 3: Palaces and Saints<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Patty:</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UBrhEK7xE0YGXKiaqjIf-bg0v1nx84Qzw60JPDKZHzzGaZRWhrIR80xdW4ZdpvIPJ67q10OcOWqhr6Hn2oJXOTbJxH-bVkq-eU4cBg8BneWD_50J8sf2K6rhOkYPQGS7AsdkLsyJLa9H/s1600/Day+3+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UBrhEK7xE0YGXKiaqjIf-bg0v1nx84Qzw60JPDKZHzzGaZRWhrIR80xdW4ZdpvIPJ67q10OcOWqhr6Hn2oJXOTbJxH-bVkq-eU4cBg8BneWD_50J8sf2K6rhOkYPQGS7AsdkLsyJLa9H/s320/Day+3+028.JPG" /></a></div>After getting home from the Hermitage museum yesterday, I decided not to try the theatre with no lifts so Syl went to the ballet and I was happy to stay in. It was a good idea because my oxygen machine played up during the night – I couldn’t get the belt battery to work - and the machine kept bleeping. At around 2am I noticed that the tube was bent and thought that the oxygen not getting through was causing the alarm. Syl had a brainwave and splinted the bend in the tube with an ear bud and elastoplaster (it looked very strange!) but the thing still kept bleeping so I had to go without it.<br />
This morning we had a 6h15 wake up call, had to be at breakfast by 7am and on the bus by 7h45. Phsew – that’s a challenge for me! We went to Catherine’s summer palace in Pushkin (named after the poet). Pushkin is part of the metropolitan area of St Petersburg and is beautifully green with parks and gardens, lots of flowers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheiZeyh95AZ65qlwMaccRfjxDwZFyxhYgyQAll25QKjgsxFiTeoXPKenP7L_mazL8qrD_zWZdl8ZDjGa4-yc67no4e_14qT48YXPxKp9rniYrm55OvvxRpwE2WR7oMAohZ558HJaD49Up/s1600/Day+3+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheiZeyh95AZ65qlwMaccRfjxDwZFyxhYgyQAll25QKjgsxFiTeoXPKenP7L_mazL8qrD_zWZdl8ZDjGa4-yc67no4e_14qT48YXPxKp9rniYrm55OvvxRpwE2WR7oMAohZ558HJaD49Up/s320/Day+3+030.JPG" /></a><br />
Catherine’s summer palace – a huge blue and white complex of palace and buildings for servants and animals - does not have lifts so I had to slowly climb two steep flights of stairs to get to the reception rooms. I gave up after counting 30 steps! But, it was worth it. I have been looking at pictures of the palace for nearly 10 years and was determined to visit the rooms. <br />
We then came back to the boat at 12pm for lunch and had to be back on the bus at 1h30 for a 5.5 hour tour of St Petersburg. We had a number of photo stops, a stop at a gallery with a souvenir shop and a 45 minutes stop where we could change money at the bank and visit the Church of the Saviour of the Blood. <br />
Tonight there is an optional visit to a Cossack music and dance show but Syl and I both decided to forgo the ‘hop, skip and jump’ and have an early night. Not that early – dinner lasted until almost 9pm! <br />
Now we are looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, having a quiet day on board before getting the shuttle into town where we will do a bit of shopping and watch the St Petersburg world go by!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple;">Sylvia</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEvg5PNGWmDokqu5HgxkI5Wc0BZJtfHH-CQ5pAtEnQRVXr3gGbAt9dlTo7ISuOr7nfha3k7k0PXYJ3DlkxOJLITBkpiBueQTwKjGHmSXQe1LeFKl9-VU2vgLfclMsPoFV3h_70jJXbXuo/s1600/Day+3+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEvg5PNGWmDokqu5HgxkI5Wc0BZJtfHH-CQ5pAtEnQRVXr3gGbAt9dlTo7ISuOr7nfha3k7k0PXYJ3DlkxOJLITBkpiBueQTwKjGHmSXQe1LeFKl9-VU2vgLfclMsPoFV3h_70jJXbXuo/s320/Day+3+018.JPG" /></a></div>The WIFI connection on the boat is irratic and temperamental and we’ve had problems getting onto Gmail, let alone the blog or Facebook.<br />
Dinner last night was a bit rushed because we had to shower, change, eat and be at the buses by 7pm. We were taken to the Alexandrinsky Theatre where we watched Swan Lake. The music was stunning, the story charmingly familiar, the sets excellent and the dancing superb but there were times when I felt myself nodding off. One of the passengers said that it was the best production he had ever seen - sets, dancers, music etc. <br />
It was after 11pm when we came out of the theatre but the sun was still shining! St Petersburg looks beautiful in the late evening –much softer <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIVoWh4WHbnijd2lVUWJ3NJ1pQfFAMz-yvmQJqjWWWZ16Ozkavolw4JSwD0hZHtBCZzIsCRp47TRQx3jvpE0zrVGXMR7jm_mMbnzyT4GU0Fmz-7GzMBXp0oLFZ5Twm8ePLGN7sRRbYrby/s1600/Day+3+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIVoWh4WHbnijd2lVUWJ3NJ1pQfFAMz-yvmQJqjWWWZ16Ozkavolw4JSwD0hZHtBCZzIsCRp47TRQx3jvpE0zrVGXMR7jm_mMbnzyT4GU0Fmz-7GzMBXp0oLFZ5Twm8ePLGN7sRRbYrby/s320/Day+3+019.JPG" /></a>than it does in the morning sunlight. We got back to the boat just as the sun was setting at 11:25pm. I crept into the cabin, trying not to wake Patty. My head was still full of swans, dancing and music and when I heard a bleeping sound, it was part of my dream and swans were hooting. But it was Patty's POC! She has told you about the problems with her machine and we had a fairly disrupted sleep until around 2:30am. We had to be up early and both of us were a bit moggy! <br />
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The weather forecast today was 19 – 22oC and 50% rain. As we arrived at Catherine’s Palace in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin) it started to rain. It took us an hour and a half to walk through the many reception rooms, one more heavily gilded than the next, and as we left, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Patty did very well, climbing up one staircase and then the next. In between, I pushed her in the wheelchair and she saw everything that we did. Mikhail told us that we wouldn't be able to walk around the gardens so he went off with the group and we found a way down into the gardens, walking with Greg and Kathy (who we first met on the bus in from the airport) and, hey presto! who do we run into but Mikhail and his group. I think he just can't be bothered to find a way to accommodate anyone who needs a bit of help.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHmg4UoUcnEnda0ogk4FsS2BXjCefKydHBu466gbKnInbBCkybiZlnDm63pOD_PEE2-_iWjBquF1roKxYgwMJ36B9f4h2W7I7t2FjFPrB0OZB4CoLH_1SfhefLiq-rEtcOjTZN-zVGbGJ/s1600/Day+3+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHmg4UoUcnEnda0ogk4FsS2BXjCefKydHBu466gbKnInbBCkybiZlnDm63pOD_PEE2-_iWjBquF1roKxYgwMJ36B9f4h2W7I7t2FjFPrB0OZB4CoLH_1SfhefLiq-rEtcOjTZN-zVGbGJ/s320/Day+3+020.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We got back to the boat just in time for lunch (more about the food in another post) and it was back to the buses for a tour of St Petersburg.<br />
Today has been go, go, go and I don't think we are going to make the optional Cossack Folk Dancing that is being offered for tonight</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FlQZjfHHrSqkfUuUU_8-jJifrvNoHZtxxkmX1zsTUSFJXhT16IQoDwJf3lUYqinW57rz1JRlI5RBpJ1X-Jn-MInqUjRejuMCkpSVIfLO0Ui4njsWMzozOemMA7mW8jmGK5MDGtKBc29D/s1600/Day+3+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FlQZjfHHrSqkfUuUU_8-jJifrvNoHZtxxkmX1zsTUSFJXhT16IQoDwJf3lUYqinW57rz1JRlI5RBpJ1X-Jn-MInqUjRejuMCkpSVIfLO0Ui4njsWMzozOemMA7mW8jmGK5MDGtKBc29D/s320/Day+3+033.JPG" /></a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Hermitage can be seen across the river. </div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-40173920738084098602010-06-25T04:51:00.010+02:002010-07-08T22:35:30.754+02:00DAY 2 - Catherine's Palace - The Hermitage<strong>Patricia</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcFdlbi-UXZowJFfrWitSPWqlT7J-7WL2gAXRxfqDGrenTqOICEilUMKaX910vURKQXLnzsU4o8_BCDDFZepZp8BXFLkgoeM5QrZrQM2ZNcoo_S6LBjhyXyViIMCzT7Ae8BhAp25Y6YAJ/s1600/Russia+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcFdlbi-UXZowJFfrWitSPWqlT7J-7WL2gAXRxfqDGrenTqOICEilUMKaX910vURKQXLnzsU4o8_BCDDFZepZp8BXFLkgoeM5QrZrQM2ZNcoo_S6LBjhyXyViIMCzT7Ae8BhAp25Y6YAJ/s320/Russia+002.JPG" /></a></div>Syl and I went on a little tour of the boat before dinner – thank heaven for the lift because the stairs are steep and sharp and I don’t think I’d have managed them without some serious heavy breathing!<br />
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I had a Virgin Mary (the works with no vodka) in the Sky Bar before dinner and Syl had a Russian Cranberry Juice. This is a bar at the back of the boat (stern) with an open sun deck beyond it. Most of the debriefings and lectures will take place here. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXx3z5MufalyRBQLZMmtVW2Pe9UmlaC4pc5aDGYxh0f-RENwxSZnMGR4TY_PpZi2Siq54eAjaDc5WFbUwGS9s6QWCBWk1gka67gEufGavyjtCieA22j6fjzcKQPrPh05uaYJn6Zryo6eS/s1600/Saturday+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXx3z5MufalyRBQLZMmtVW2Pe9UmlaC4pc5aDGYxh0f-RENwxSZnMGR4TY_PpZi2Siq54eAjaDc5WFbUwGS9s6QWCBWk1gka67gEufGavyjtCieA22j6fjzcKQPrPh05uaYJn6Zryo6eS/s320/Saturday+002.JPG" /></a>At dinner we sat with two ‘Brendas’ from England and an Australian couple. The menu was much better than we thought it was going to be and I over-ate as usual! <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>For Rene</strong>: Tomorrow I’m going to do all my Pushkins! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today was a heavy breathing day and a ‘Rushin’ day – rushin from one bus to the next! <br />
We were taken to Catherine’s Winter Palace, now the Heritage museum. The museum has over 1000 rooms and over 3m exhibits so we only got to do and see a very few of those. The art collection was amazing and there was even an exhibition of Picasso but we were not allowed to take photographs of those – such a pity.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We could take photographs in the general areas but <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSF3I0tBL8-HdSrgU7peKfpQh8UjvlO4ZD2tARmzGpWqqX4ioe1z1vC1uBAoZmGCeOChGTFdsIajc7zRMM52et-lqAaNLhjptzNgxWMwZOv9LWIrgdqiZPdhndQCPRbVA-BM45xoGJ9NOF/s1600/Russia+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSF3I0tBL8-HdSrgU7peKfpQh8UjvlO4ZD2tARmzGpWqqX4ioe1z1vC1uBAoZmGCeOChGTFdsIajc7zRMM52et-lqAaNLhjptzNgxWMwZOv9LWIrgdqiZPdhndQCPRbVA-BM45xoGJ9NOF/s320/Russia+021.JPG" /></a>with no flash.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
Tonight we can go to the ballet – Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky – but, we were told that the theatre is very old, doesn’t have elevators and we have to climb stairs. I’m still thinking about that one!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dinner is early tonight (because of the ballet) so the boat is arranging for snacks at 11pm! Sunset is at 11:25 so I suppose that isn’t too outrageous!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are going to go and have a cocktail now, and some more to eat!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtUb55bcuo2nBBVgfpxFXSGEXPhHxi5XDGRYQuBiHnlqfrC97CPlGuDlm_NwZoskYtu9xtSeVKTlGv3u5JvGCVWO0H2LQhd2vkhj5l0h_grAneoUt66a5VHOsmOg8A-v7deW-bsIKWWwA/s1600/Day+3+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtUb55bcuo2nBBVgfpxFXSGEXPhHxi5XDGRYQuBiHnlqfrC97CPlGuDlm_NwZoskYtu9xtSeVKTlGv3u5JvGCVWO0H2LQhd2vkhj5l0h_grAneoUt66a5VHOsmOg8A-v7deW-bsIKWWwA/s320/Day+3+003.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">S<strong>ylvia</strong><br />
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The cocktail bars are up on the top deck. Cocktails of the day were ‘White Nights for €5 or a Matrioshka – non alcoholic) for €3. Most of the other drinks, soft or alcoholic were around €2.50 but the whiskey, brandy etc are a little more, from about €5 - €6. The dinner menu was good – a large salad bar for a starter (which was great for the three vegetarians at our table) and then every course offered a vegetarian alternative. I had a veg lasagne – not your run-of-the-mill lasagne, this was beautifully presented (wish I’d taken a photo – will start from now on) and the desserts were also presented with strawberry and cream decorations. The chef has been with Viking for nearly 8 years and his food presentation is superb. Like this vegetable tureen with yoghurt-chive sauce.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo88rU_reySNwvp5au-WP6MpAFD5XLj1IwMZI2R4cCaUa4dfeFkmqTi5G76SaQj_xzjOzZ0e3M0b-52BLTivNkEUxRepi5rdGm0Ssj3uHFXHE4P4TfsMdn_v0k_XTtOPbQFqHcue0Ht_U7/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo88rU_reySNwvp5au-WP6MpAFD5XLj1IwMZI2R4cCaUa4dfeFkmqTi5G76SaQj_xzjOzZ0e3M0b-52BLTivNkEUxRepi5rdGm0Ssj3uHFXHE4P4TfsMdn_v0k_XTtOPbQFqHcue0Ht_U7/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" /></a>Our cabin is very comfortable with two single beds, side tables, bedside lamps, dressing table with cupboards and drawer, a safe, small fridge, wardrobe and an en-suite shower, toilet, basin.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The wondows are large and can be opened (unlike sea going cabins that often have port-holes).</div>Our beds are very narrow and I warned Patty not to turn too fast in case she fell out of bed! The cabins are air-conditioned but they were so cold I turned it down before we went to sleep. curtains are lined with black-out fabric and just as well, as the sunsets here are only at 11.24pm!! If we’d come any later in the year we would have had the mid-night sun!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WTuY7MFdaM-FLMAJmQyQ-1iTyYKDg2qRgREM5MzBkgZuNoaASmrhTjxsyLdzLJg_8Yajyf3cwBsZLqlGESXH3nUvy4R2iGz1qo4NDq8MagYxM5bWTcP0cl0dYPci2F22BYpifwM0do9k/s1600/Russia+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WTuY7MFdaM-FLMAJmQyQ-1iTyYKDg2qRgREM5MzBkgZuNoaASmrhTjxsyLdzLJg_8Yajyf3cwBsZLqlGESXH3nUvy4R2iGz1qo4NDq8MagYxM5bWTcP0cl0dYPci2F22BYpifwM0do9k/s320/Russia+005.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>The Breakfast has two buffets – one with continental meats, breads, croissants, preserves etc and the other with fruits, yoghurts, cereals, eggs and sausages, bacon, toast etc. You can also order extras from the menu like omlettes, grilled tomato, French toast etc. <br />
At 9h30 we attended a safety talk in the Sky Bar on what to do if the ship caught on fire or someone fell overboard. She said that the ship can’t sink – but that’s what was said about the Titanic! There are life-vests in our cabin closets and we were shown how to use them. Patty said that if the boat catches fire I must just throw her overboard and save myself! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabJjcsC6WlI_q9lC4-DjnMmmEzsqFGcaKRfve_ka4-O90Y801st4R-mWmkYzlzHFjPKCrpj7mvGbOFPy-AiClrq1pl3vruFFkGg7bwAHZYP3Df9pH-iCfqz3OLyY4Wc6wo8NScJHOtUam/s1600/Russia+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabJjcsC6WlI_q9lC4-DjnMmmEzsqFGcaKRfve_ka4-O90Y801st4R-mWmkYzlzHFjPKCrpj7mvGbOFPy-AiClrq1pl3vruFFkGg7bwAHZYP3Df9pH-iCfqz3OLyY4Wc6wo8NScJHOtUam/s320/Russia+028.JPG" /></a> But, the water is never more than 15m deep so I suggested we take turns standing on each other's shoulders to get air! If the water doesn't get us the pollution probably will.<br />
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After lunch, before our bus tour, we were all given a picnic lunch box containing water, juice, banana, apple, two health-bar type sweets, packet of Lays chips, and a sandwich. There are 6 buses, each with its own tour guide and we have been allocated bus number 21. Our guide is Mikhail (or Misha) who didn;'t look too pleased to have a wheelchair person on his bus and wasn't very helpful at all. He was also rude to a couple on the bus and was sarcastic when they asked a few questions. (We heard that they have asked to be moved to another bus). Our visit today was to the Hermitage museum, the former Winter Palace of Catherine the Great. Mikhail told us that it wouldn't be worth taking Patty inside because the only lift in the building wasn't working. We decided to go in anyway and keep to the lower floor exhibits. When the rest of the group walked up the stairs we continued on looking through the rooms on the ground floor. And then we came to the lift - which was working! We went up to the first floor and walked through the never ending, interleading rooms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F7JsrAhGRbXNoa4B2CSoYQ3UkonAqACSq6L5VPEyWQl6W3DfWxumdfcq_oFMfQDuK3SQytbyq3LyDxxATLfNfMlIhNUxU3neNjf8RJYTNRpydb4zKyARW6fS-5xOb7txvzKaJDSlKKWf/s1600/Russia+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F7JsrAhGRbXNoa4B2CSoYQ3UkonAqACSq6L5VPEyWQl6W3DfWxumdfcq_oFMfQDuK3SQytbyq3LyDxxATLfNfMlIhNUxU3neNjf8RJYTNRpydb4zKyARW6fS-5xOb7txvzKaJDSlKKWf/s320/Russia+024.JPG" /></a></div> What an amazing museum – such opulence and excess. No wonder the peasants revolted against such wealth. I’ve never seen so much gold on ceilings with huge chandeliers and gold encrusted crockery, tableware, and furniture. One room leads into the next and looking down the passageway is like looking at yourself in a mirror, reflected many times. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Many people told us that The Hermitage was on their bucket list and this is why they are doing the cruise. Can you imagine trying to view all of the exhibits? Just one minute looking at each one would take about 8 years!! <br />
We finally bumped into Mikhail who didn't look too surprised to see us and just said, "Oh, you found us!" I don't think he can be bothered with people with disabilities. Patty and I have decided that we will go on the excursions that are part of the trip and if she can't get into a building, so be it but we are not going to let us put us off.</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-66016727165743811062010-06-23T15:16:00.007+02:002010-07-11T21:19:36.403+02:00DAY 1: THE OLD BIRDS HAVE LANDED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk5d4Fd8SIebJ-oI4OcU7cTyG16TetZqTYEpFpmm9EFVsXX85tAmqzeY-cmbbrAj03ZNf9xrCQZ2Hl3nPwU4qVdUIFTTms77ZvrE2xDXWPoPcQKfGwqyoya_VdgBK6GpE0FVeCXXCOUL1/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk5d4Fd8SIebJ-oI4OcU7cTyG16TetZqTYEpFpmm9EFVsXX85tAmqzeY-cmbbrAj03ZNf9xrCQZ2Hl3nPwU4qVdUIFTTms77ZvrE2xDXWPoPcQKfGwqyoya_VdgBK6GpE0FVeCXXCOUL1/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Patricia:</span><br />
It is 4:30pm Russia time. Two hours ahead of SA time. Syl has put her watch forward. The flight from Zurich was only 2 hours not 5 hours because of the time difference. Everyone has been very helpful and all the way through there were people waiting with my hired wheelchair.<br />
I'm sitting on the bed in our cabin with both feet up on pillows - they look like balloons. We've got a very nice cabin with two beds - not bunks - and, wonderful - wonderful - our RSA two prong plugs fit into the wall sockets here!! So, my oxygen machine will work perfectly! <br />
We've got a shower with shampoo, soap and other toiletriies. We've got a safe, a large TV, a fridge - nogal - and free Internet access!<br />
There is a coffee/tea and chocolate station upstairs where you can help yourself all day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IA4Ew6aBzTW1Ek_yFndI-OQLtU8wvLKRIKU9hYeswO4WuV2MYZ20rjv2lLi1mT9nluUAmU5sOhlSa4jwmJ3OUFq-fa2-Hi4i8G4ixEXlDesTiac3PNMyOKXMKRgj6Zs1Pmml7Ly5PCz1/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IA4Ew6aBzTW1Ek_yFndI-OQLtU8wvLKRIKU9hYeswO4WuV2MYZ20rjv2lLi1mT9nluUAmU5sOhlSa4jwmJ3OUFq-fa2-Hi4i8G4ixEXlDesTiac3PNMyOKXMKRgj6Zs1Pmml7Ly5PCz1/s200/IMG_0004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cocktail hour is at 6:30 - 7:30 in the Panorma or Sky Bar and dinner is from 7:30 to around 9pm. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wpx_8BpN_AChBVWjquQMZuuRkY1nYQbnB3bYMFT7I1upuCl0ydbt9jKtKdDN43DCqTcSQaj8i7HHn20LBrmhEXSnBn4vGXFJdgok76_LzCP-N89NRS-dxkdCPt6X0PZEjqWsafEHsQtD/s1600/DOLLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wpx_8BpN_AChBVWjquQMZuuRkY1nYQbnB3bYMFT7I1upuCl0ydbt9jKtKdDN43DCqTcSQaj8i7HHn20LBrmhEXSnBn4vGXFJdgok76_LzCP-N89NRS-dxkdCPt6X0PZEjqWsafEHsQtD/s320/DOLLS.jpg" /></a>And this is for my Arty -Farty friends: Guess what! On Sunday 27th June, during our stay at Mandrogy, we can book a place at an art class doing Matrioshka Painting . The class will include 3 unpainted Matrioshka Dolls, paint, brushes and instructions from an artisan to create our very own, umique Russian Sounvenirs!! Hows that?? Eat your heart out Di !!!! When I have done my dolls we will take a photograph and post them on the blog.<br />
So, the old birds are OK and we are looking forward to the two weeks cruise.<br />
From The Viking Kirov - over and out!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<span style="color: #660000;">Syl</span><span style="color: #660000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQJHLfssbqZ74_DEgilj7Tw1IFx8vrnSA4qyr8T6A9Rhda5Bz-iXBWeGMPrBVKq-h1TG9KJfk-PC9hdeoh7feDOj-KUCsFx_tPu8gWLugHUUexg_H8lveo4fL6Qyfh72VV6QJNUcsbzWs/s1600/Russia+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQJHLfssbqZ74_DEgilj7Tw1IFx8vrnSA4qyr8T6A9Rhda5Bz-iXBWeGMPrBVKq-h1TG9KJfk-PC9hdeoh7feDOj-KUCsFx_tPu8gWLugHUUexg_H8lveo4fL6Qyfh72VV6QJNUcsbzWs/s320/Russia+006.JPG" /></a>The Mango cabin crew were all casually dressed in Bafana-Bafana shirts. Unfortubnately, none of the ground staff knew about Patty's POC so we had to produce the letter giving permission for her to take it on board. The vibe in Johannesburg was incredible! Many staff members had Bafana t-shirts on, there were vuvuzelas everywhere. As we passed a restaurant on our way to International departures, people started cheering and dancing, porters shouting AYOBA! and others dancing and singing - Bafana had scored their first goal! Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Brazillians, French, American, English - you name it - all were excited for the host nation! We were on our way to the News Cafe when Bafana scored their 2nd goal. WOW!! It was pandemonium with uluating chants, screams, jumping up and down! What a pity there wasn't a third goal - but <em>The Boys-The Boys</em> did us proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNyxWdItGZ86poVJQy2yTlW7K3Jgyk07HP31OQZy4aZrH8OgQFUlfI_KanrN_1EzjN61KSfI2NKgGEnJtPBp7QImd_Mp7TTa8EpWzWSyc-7EQ4rTvw3o91vcbXO8nJ4PJJu4gLxousvnx/s1600/Viking-SurkovKirov-Deluxe-135x205_tcm43-9366.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNyxWdItGZ86poVJQy2yTlW7K3Jgyk07HP31OQZy4aZrH8OgQFUlfI_KanrN_1EzjN61KSfI2NKgGEnJtPBp7QImd_Mp7TTa8EpWzWSyc-7EQ4rTvw3o91vcbXO8nJ4PJJu4gLxousvnx/s320/Viking-SurkovKirov-Deluxe-135x205_tcm43-9366.gif" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Swiss Air staff were very helpful and everything went smoothly - no problems with Patty's machine, my vegetarian meals were great and it was a trouble free flight to Zurich. I'm sure though that the space between rows has got even smaller since I last flew on Swiss Air - hardly anywhere to put your legs. A very pleasant assistant wheeled Patty through the crowds to the train that took us to the correct terminal for our flight to St Petersburg. </div>When we arrived in St Petersburg there were VIKING staff waiting for us with a Viking board and porters put our bags on the bus. It took about half an hour to the boat. The scenery was similar to most airport roads into a city - wide roads, trees, then high rise apartments, light industries and then the boat canal. We passed a number of huge chimneys - not sure if they were nuclear or coal reactors.<br />
Our boat is moored next to the Viking Surov which is moored next to another and another - all facing east. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj2XUBgg2M-clUgc7k1UjQ8n43qB_yCgOUAondVl44yq7zz3n_7RxRlENrugk3BVE9fY4J67pnVoXuIZa01H6nI_bLxpR6eNnnTD0aYhyphenhyphenAUrX3kSgnmL9C46kbg9Wc51r2lbQjNSrLmiI/s1600/Russia+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj2XUBgg2M-clUgc7k1UjQ8n43qB_yCgOUAondVl44yq7zz3n_7RxRlENrugk3BVE9fY4J67pnVoXuIZa01H6nI_bLxpR6eNnnTD0aYhyphenhyphenAUrX3kSgnmL9C46kbg9Wc51r2lbQjNSrLmiI/s320/Russia+012.JPG" /></a></div>The crew and staff are a mixture of Phillipino, Korean, German, Russian. Our Program Director is Katherin, executive chef Thomas Harder, who we met to discuss dietery needs (ie vegetarians etc), the restaurant Neva manager is Gunther Andriska. The currency on board is a UNIT which equals 1 Euro and we can sign all on board purchases, drinks, etc and pay at the end of the cruise in euro, dollars or Roubles.<br />
So, we will be having cocktails in the Sky Bar or Panorama Bar before dinner and then it'll be off to the Neva restaurant for our first meal on board. We only leave St Petersburg on Sunday and have a full program whilst we are here. Can't believe that we are in Russia!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-3120618648841216322010-06-23T07:29:00.001+02:002010-06-23T07:30:24.460+02:00IN SWITZERLANDEverything went well travelling yesterday. Mango staff forgot us at the Assist waiting area, even though I reminded them at check in 3 times that we were waiting. Finally they were calling our name when someone came to take Patty to the plane. With SWISS air all went well.<br />
Had a quiet flight. I watched Alice in Wonderland but keept dozing off so don't really know if they got the Queen of Hearts or not.<br />
We were woken at 4h15 for breakfast and landed just after 6am. We now have a 2 hour wait before we board our flight to St Petersburg where we will arrive at about 14h30. The Alps were covered in snow when we flew over and it made me think of this time 4 years ago when our little group crossed the Alps from Switzerland to Italy on our way to Rome.<br />
<br />
Patty is doing fine but her ankles have puffed up and her feet are swollen. I've got her sitting in the wheelchair with her feet up on a chair reading her YOU magazine. I also gave her a coffee - hopefully it will work as a diuretic and get rid of some of the fluid build up.Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-49116481501592579582010-06-22T11:22:00.000+02:002010-06-22T11:22:07.146+02:0011TH HOUR - WE HAVE TAKE OFF!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">PHSEW!! 11th hour clearance for take-off! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2dJtyF2Lc5WQOefoIj20_EQ2IakgFnMVWCpTl2ex6EDeanYJI3itPZw1eS_qXCs0j04kSHEI6a5hbFlLtZWvDEntF9qiRKfzFETcG9l-lmsyo5v6YPuh86q9TuPzmNhiZbHTemEjFBP9/s1600/POC.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2dJtyF2Lc5WQOefoIj20_EQ2IakgFnMVWCpTl2ex6EDeanYJI3itPZw1eS_qXCs0j04kSHEI6a5hbFlLtZWvDEntF9qiRKfzFETcG9l-lmsyo5v6YPuh86q9TuPzmNhiZbHTemEjFBP9/s200/POC.gif" width="186" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is 11am and we have just received confirmation from Zurich that SWISS Air will accept Patty's POC machine on board. Yeee-haaa! We are all packed and ready to go! Thank you Lisa from Flight Centre Pinetown who has worked through the night, many phone calls to Zurich, Johannesburg, Doctors, medical centres etc etc... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The POC</strong> (Portable Oxygen Concentrator) is a small (-2.5kg), handbag sized, battery operated machine that provides oxygen from the air. It comes with a waistbelt belt battery that lasts for up to 8 hours. For people with respiratory problems, it is an absolute boon.</div><br />
<br />
<strong>Our flying schedule:</strong><br />
3pm - 4pm Durban to Johannesburg.<br />
7:30pm from Johannesburg Zurich - arriving at 6h10am<br />
9h20 from Zurich to St Petersburg - arriving at 14h20<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hopefully, after clearing customs, a representative holding a Viking River Cruises sign with the name of our ship will meet us and porters will then take our luggage to the transfer buses. Transfer to the ship takes approximately 45 minutes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc36T1oe1CMqXaEF1lJq9AmjoL97Q4LHxWosbaN3vZlsf5RH8V570U4vafP1WBaIPsuXUVHxTvrVxRvhvx81eferZ4LWs_oEB8L9u5C2nrxq75n8gJq4NnQbEWBhQs5WTFvKESRY0hHAbg/s1600/Pat+and+Syl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc36T1oe1CMqXaEF1lJq9AmjoL97Q4LHxWosbaN3vZlsf5RH8V570U4vafP1WBaIPsuXUVHxTvrVxRvhvx81eferZ4LWs_oEB8L9u5C2nrxq75n8gJq4NnQbEWBhQs5WTFvKESRY0hHAbg/s320/Pat+and+Syl.JPG" /></a></div>Viking advised that:<br />
<em>Sometimes, your transfer will wait for people arriving on other flights. The wait time for these guests is rarely more than 30 minutes, but could be as long as one hour. If your flight to St. Petersburg is delayed or if you miss your connecting flight, call the transfer company or your ship directly with your new flight details. They will make every effort to meet you when you arrive. If you are not met due to a delayed or missed flight, follow the instructions for On Your Own Transfers.</em><br />
<br />
Syl and Patty - over and out!Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-44102988592052033662010-06-21T20:36:00.006+02:002010-06-21T20:48:50.554+02:00THE 2002 RUSSIAN TRAVEL COUPON<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Patricia</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKZVYY2_aMa11Jr_m8ptOLHaDvKfIDa0_6L-182a8X8sszkKWX4bN2DmZ6WUfv_GZI6CXAHVk8ZyZRwloGyIboKq4Kz_9wiZ8HT1VZdUmXlU5Z0EBBVu2jdQePns7qN5SVUCSZYRVsIcK/s1600/Russia+envelope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKZVYY2_aMa11Jr_m8ptOLHaDvKfIDa0_6L-182a8X8sszkKWX4bN2DmZ6WUfv_GZI6CXAHVk8ZyZRwloGyIboKq4Kz_9wiZ8HT1VZdUmXlU5Z0EBBVu2jdQePns7qN5SVUCSZYRVsIcK/s200/Russia+envelope.JPG" width="196" /></a>I have always wanted to visit Russia but was beginning to think that I would never get there. Now, I only have one more sleep before my sister and I fly to Johannesburg, Zurich and St Petersburg but SWISS air are giving us a hard time about me taking my POC (Personal Oxygen Concentrator) on board. Mango have passed it but if SWISS air don't pass it we either don't go to Russia or they will have to provide oxygen on board the flight if I need it. Our travel agent is staying up all night to sort this out - at the last minute!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I was living with my son in Johannesburg, he kept saying to me, "Go to Russia if you want to Mom, just go." I used to think <em><strong>Yes, one day I will.</strong></em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIAvUGS9mjIT0flb55VKxshuw7Zf1b_9sH9ELq9gUk0jHJKSHUs_mceHjKaGhN-30vorpONrOBD7rnfxHAWB8KHrkJUzLkDwpkfbqOyP2Y6BkV5miaV5OsTzPfclayeBhswze_mLqlNI1/s1600/Russia+envelope2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIAvUGS9mjIT0flb55VKxshuw7Zf1b_9sH9ELq9gUk0jHJKSHUs_mceHjKaGhN-30vorpONrOBD7rnfxHAWB8KHrkJUzLkDwpkfbqOyP2Y6BkV5miaV5OsTzPfclayeBhswze_mLqlNI1/s200/Russia+envelope2.JPG" width="190" /></a>In 2002 he made me a special card for my birthday, cutting out a picture of a Russian stamp to put on the envelope. Inside, he printed a travel coupon in the value of RR53,806.14 (Russian Roubles - or R20,000) on glossy photographic paper complete with the Imperial Russian crest. The script he used made the 'S' look like a 'F' and the wording looked like "Ruffian Travel Coupon'!! I couldn't believe he would do that for me, but that is the way he was - always generous and supportive. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was always some reason why I couldn't go. In 2002 rebels took 800 people hostage in a theatre - 120 people were killed. </div>In 2003 suicide bombers killed themselves, and many others, in attacks on towns, railways etc. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeSpl7z_ugsQYMSmWqh7CGSGJi8ReEd92e7fYc274lTVmuLHQpjlTiEUNrdKiVdvsICZjzg4heqXfZg5QpyK-X6pMwNT8z7lKjgprCHq0TvgKz7_FekhUtgOwe2sKIme_1XDW7LhRAhyw/s1600/Russia+envelope1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeSpl7z_ugsQYMSmWqh7CGSGJi8ReEd92e7fYc274lTVmuLHQpjlTiEUNrdKiVdvsICZjzg4heqXfZg5QpyK-X6pMwNT8z7lKjgprCHq0TvgKz7_FekhUtgOwe2sKIme_1XDW7LhRAhyw/s200/Russia+envelope1.JPG" width="193" /></a>In 2004 a blast killed scores of people in the Moscow underground and the Beslan school was held hostage. 334 hostages were killed, including 186 children. Each time something like this happened my son said, "You are not going to Russia this year Mom!"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I moved back to Durban in 2007 after my son passed away and last year I told my sister that I really wanted to go to Russia - and that Shaun would have wanted me to go. So, we started making plans and even though there have been suicide bombings in Moscow and other parts of Russia, we finally booked with the airlines and Viking Cruises to go on my dream trip. Now, we wait to hear whether or not SWISS Air will accept my little oxygen machine. <br />
Please hold thumbs that everything is sorted out by tomorrow! <br />
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<em>PS: One can only do these cruises in the summer and there is a 3 - 4 month window so if we don't go now, we'll have to plan for next year!</em><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="color: purple;"></span></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeSpl7z_ugsQYMSmWqh7CGSGJi8ReEd92e7fYc274lTVmuLHQpjlTiEUNrdKiVdvsICZjzg4heqXfZg5QpyK-X6pMwNT8z7lKjgprCHq0TvgKz7_FekhUtgOwe2sKIme_1XDW7LhRAhyw/s1600/Russia+envelope1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-89240870053983075592010-06-17T21:26:00.002+02:002010-06-19T10:42:31.527+02:00ST PETERSBURG - PETROGRAD - LENINGRAD - ST PETERSBURG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9SobnAibE7oF2oNzZF4Hj8RHGZWMnp0jZq2YOTZEd39p_eTlVOSi48VI2QFAva9DdydC_rza-fzLS9IYBGw91oT1sLtoXr7qS05fzANptfTmLn0IXOcOTG-3hlbUaRbSWdv5qwIqEAOV/s1600/Cape+of+Good+Hope_+South+Africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9SobnAibE7oF2oNzZF4Hj8RHGZWMnp0jZq2YOTZEd39p_eTlVOSi48VI2QFAva9DdydC_rza-fzLS9IYBGw91oT1sLtoXr7qS05fzANptfTmLn0IXOcOTG-3hlbUaRbSWdv5qwIqEAOV/s320/Cape+of+Good+Hope_+South+Africa.jpg" /></a></div>We start our Russian holiday in St Petersburg which is within spitting distance of Finland (actually, about a 5 hour train journey from Helsinki). <br />
St Petersburg was founded in 1702 – which theoretically makes it younger than Cape Town! <br />
Jan van Riebeck arrived in 1652 to develop a way station and vegetable gardens to service passing Dutch ships. <br />
Then in 1654 Asian ‘immigrants’ (banished to the Cape by the Dutch High Court) arrived and soon slaves from the east followed, no doubt to help build the Cape Castle and fort which was completed in 1679. <br />
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While this hive of activity was going on at the Cape of Good Hope, on the most southerly point of the African continent, 10 487.45 kms north east, Peter Romonav (soon to be Peter the Great) was born in Russia in 1672. When he was about 22 years-old, he cast his eye on a marshy, mosquito infected piece of real estate made up of over 500 islands in the mouth of the Neva River and decided that this would be a perfect place to build his naval port and Western style city. The result is a city that looks like the Venice of the North.<br />
In 1710 he moved his imperial family, lock stock and smoking barrels (from his new navy ships) and most of the government as well) from Moscow to his shiny new capital called .... St Petersburg. <br />
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It wasn’t always called that - you might remember it as Petrograd (1914 - 1924) or as Leningrad (until 1991) but now it has come full circle and is called St Petersburg again. Our ship will be berthed at the Salt Pier, Oktiabrskaya Nab. 29, in the River Neva. Will take photos to show you when we get there!Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014919007836905273.post-82787074772808015902010-06-14T15:08:00.001+02:002010-06-19T13:28:43.893+02:006 more Sleeps and Plan B!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4YpG2tELg_xcjbzZNyb5bBRV2Rq4ucLLEBct2bxOr9-y7tkaxyRCMKzgf9YIYAiXsnjPAugvVsgcBJFR8ChWtt9xeBpsZDMCALGVY5Em3V2iMm-S-EgO5JxeSTvKGEluFZf30y2bDJA2/s1600/Waterways-Czars-map-576x385_tcm43-9017.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4YpG2tELg_xcjbzZNyb5bBRV2Rq4ucLLEBct2bxOr9-y7tkaxyRCMKzgf9YIYAiXsnjPAugvVsgcBJFR8ChWtt9xeBpsZDMCALGVY5Em3V2iMm-S-EgO5JxeSTvKGEluFZf30y2bDJA2/s320/Waterways-Czars-map-576x385_tcm43-9017.gif" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpqPqdp0uQDRtCT6j-T_aXjCG8PbwHo0I0CcjT4T59CkzTtG5CA2rroNejg-B2C2BBXlWh1v1eXKQ8SXW3GWOUkEBvvteCSEHxGtEcaEs0EyUPEzMVyRdz44ai0uOO0d7KF5rgPr1oEDx/s1600/v_kirov_river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpqPqdp0uQDRtCT6j-T_aXjCG8PbwHo0I0CcjT4T59CkzTtG5CA2rroNejg-B2C2BBXlWh1v1eXKQ8SXW3GWOUkEBvvteCSEHxGtEcaEs0EyUPEzMVyRdz44ai0uOO0d7KF5rgPr1oEDx/s320/v_kirov_river.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have got 6 more sleeps!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Patty and I have been buying pretty, floaty, little lightweight summer tops for our Summer Holiday in Russia. And then I checked the weather forecast for St Petersburg - it is COLD!! 5°C and 15°C on Monday, 7°C and 16°C on Tueday!! <br />
Yikes! That is Jossi's weather ........brrrrrrrrrr! So, it is on to Plan B.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Plan B - a few long sleeve warm tops (to wear underneath the pretty little things), leggings, socks, scarves and jackets. It is summer in Russia - well, early summer - and the temperatures look much like winter in Durban! Excepting for the sunrise and sunset times which are vastly different. In St Petersburg today the sun rose as at 04h35 and sunset will be at 23h24. <br />
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St Petersburg's daily temperatures range from 9°C to 20°C and Moscow, which is 650km further south, is getting warmer. By Sunday it will be 14°C and 26°C and next Wednesday 16°C and 30°C !! Lets hope we have some hot weather when we get there in two weeks time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcsapzgRYKE1ty3OFvYdQ4u9bQMGyUk-6wNdE8rNJ6wEyCvWhDB5GUzdFw8bkx3dgwFMtWFmDNg8Dcf-zVQn8eS_Q6qzfn0gL8OIzEMktz8kEZldxuNe6aNjUqiTl3Hgth6gHLGXHWWJ-/s1600/Viking-SurkovKirov-Deluxe-135x205_tcm43-9366.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcsapzgRYKE1ty3OFvYdQ4u9bQMGyUk-6wNdE8rNJ6wEyCvWhDB5GUzdFw8bkx3dgwFMtWFmDNg8Dcf-zVQn8eS_Q6qzfn0gL8OIzEMktz8kEZldxuNe6aNjUqiTl3Hgth6gHLGXHWWJ-/s320/Viking-SurkovKirov-Deluxe-135x205_tcm43-9366.gif" /></a>We have checked our tickets, vouchers, FOREX, necessary letters for Patty to fly and take her POC (Personal Oxygen Concentrator), We are still trying to sort out the plug adaptors for the POC battery charger and my laptop.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The map shows where the cruise - Waterways of the Tsars - begins in St Petersburg and ends in Moscow. We will sail through the largest and second largest lakes in Europe, Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega, visiting islands and villages along the way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The boat is the Viking Kirov and that is a graphic of our cabin. Unlike ocean cruisers, they don't have bunks or port holes so we should be pretty comfortable.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is where I will post updates of our adventure so please visit us often!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Patty and Syl</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com7