June 1, 2014 - St. Petersburg, Russia

What a long and busy day! Up at 6 and ready to leave the ship at 7:30. Even though the ship had not cleared customs we got in line because we needed to pass through Russian immigration and meet our tour as quickly as possible. We were the first in our group of 14 to meet our guide! Maria is very knowledgeable and gave us lots of great information about Russia, the Romanov family, czars, take overs, the Soviet Union period, as well as general information about the country.

Our first stop was the Hermitage where we spent two hours viewing the architecture, the art, and learning more about Peter the Great, Catherine II, and who sent who to a convent and who overthrew her husband so she could take power. So many notes, so much history, too much to put in this space!





We had lunch at a local restaurant – one meat pie, one cabbage pie, one cream cheese pie, and one apple pie and drinks. It was very good and just what we needed to refortify for the the long afternoon and evening that was ahead.

After lunch we visited the Church of the Spilled Blood, where Alexander II was killed by a terrorist after he abolished the serfdom system in Russia – just like Lincoln did with slaves in the USA. The church took 27 years to construct and opened in 1907. At one point our guide needed to go get tickets, so she had Tobey hold our tour sign to keep the group together.




We next went to the Peter and Paul Cathedral – the first Russian Orthodox Church built. The exterior is very European in appearance because the architect was not Russian. It is the burial place of the Romanov family. Now it, along with the fortress surrounding the cathedral, serve as museums. Only one building is not, it is the Russian Mint, where coins are produced. It was interesting to learn that many political prisoners were held at the fortress – even up to WWII, while they were awaiting their fate – exile to Siberia or execution.



We went to another palace that is now a museum – I am guessing at the spelling, Yusopov Palace. I will have to look it up! It is the place where Rasputin was killed. Interesting history, but we were not allowed to take pictures there.

From there we went to St. Isaac's Cathedral. INCREDIBLE! It will hold 12,000 people! It took 40 years to build and was completed in 1858. There are 112 granite columns. Most of the pictures inside are glass mosaics, not paintings. It was interesting to learn that in the Russian Orthodox Religion, people attending services are not allowed to sit – they stand through the entire service – even the royalty did.



After visiting churches and museums, our tour visited the subway station. The Admiralty Station is 90 meters, yes 90 meters (almost 300 feet) below ground! The station has lots off mosaics and art. It was an interesting stop.


Tobey and I signed up to attend a Russian folkloric show so our guide dropped us at the theater where we had almost a 2 hour wait before it began. We took a brief walk around the neighborhood then went inside to wait. We were entertained with Russian folk music, dancing, and singing. During the intermission they served champagne, juices, soft drinks, and had fruit and hor d’voures – including caviar!

The weather was mixed again today – sprinkles off and on with a good rain at the end of the day, but the temperature was warmer. Back on the ship we had a light dinner and will soon be off to sleep. Our tour begins at 7:20 tomorrow morning but it hard to believe it it almost 11:00 pm and the sun is JUST NOW setting! Tomorrow our tour begins at 7:20 AM! Goodnight!