And just like the previous visit, you could leave the ship if you were on a tour. If you wanted to leave and tour on your own, you needed a visa that was issued by the Russian Embassy/Consulate prior to departure from the US. We opted for the cruise tours: safe and easy.
This cruise stop was 3 days: Day 1 was another visit to the Hermitage, specifically to the "Gold Room". This was a very early morning tour! (Yikes) The exhibit features anything and everything in gold: crowns, jewelry, artifacts, works of art etc. No photos allowed and there were more than several pair of eyes watching us at every turn and move. (In fact, while waiting for the curator of the Gold Room to arrive, our guide told us to visit the collection in the adjoining room. A group of us proceeded and when entering the room we were rushed upon by solidly built Russian women who forcefully and loudly called "NO!". As we quickly exited the vast room, they slammed shut two humongous doors. We winked and smirked to one another but from there on, we walked on eggshells!) That was our morning tour and back to the ship for a very, very quick lunch.
Afternoon tour was the "Metro & Market Tour". Metro? Yes, the metro! Their subways system, besides being the deepest (it crosses the river), is very clean and many of the stations are works of art. One station was done in red mosaics. Another had beautiful sconces, busts of historical figures, gleaming tile work and all under surveillance! Yes, there was a woman watching CCTV!
After a few stops, we exited and walked along neighborhood streets to a local food market. It wasn't overly stocked but the vendors were just as happy to see us enter. We photographed, walked around and checked out the prices. Seemed fairly priced.... Upon exiting, we encountered a group of young girls, giggling and chatting away with a boy (we could hear his voice) and they were video-chatting via FaceTime or Skype. Young people are the same where ever you go!
That was Day 1...it was an early start for these night birds so Day 2 was going to be a bit more laid back.
An evening at the St. Petersburg Ballet for a performance of Swan Lake. It was spectacular! The Prima Ballerina was magnificent - you actually thought she was a swan her moves were so fluid and graceful. No photos were permitted - and we dared not be rude and violate the rule! We did get a photo of the husband and wife dancers at the end of the performance under the strict guidance of their manager! Fabulous!
Day 3 was leisurely....we opted for a river cruise. The sun was shining and it seemed like a perfect day to enjoy the sights on the tour boat. We passed former palaces of the Tzars and their relatives (they all had a palace), beautiful architecture, golden domes, the Fabrege Museum and countless Russians on their boats enjoying the day as well. Just like anywhere else...family and friends out for the day on the boat. After the boat ride, we boarded the bus for a "shopping" stop - this souvenir shop had the most Matryoshka nesting dolls I have ever seen - and in all sizes from tiny little ones to jumbo ones big enough to be a toddler! It was a perfect way to end our visit to St. Petersburg...the ship was preparing for an early evening departure and again, a chilled white wine awaited us in the Crown Lounge atop the ship - panoramic windows perfect for a farewell toast! (Enjoy the photo/video in two parts)
Fifi
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