Baltic Cruise July 2019
Greg and I left Dallas on American at 4:55. We checked on the way to the airport and we were on time going out of termianl D. We used Parking Spot Premier this time and we were on the only passengers on the shuttle. The line was short for checking in baggage at Priority but the TSA line was unbelievable. The ticket agent told us there was a security line for Priority and it saved us a ton on time. Checked the monitor and we were now going out of Terminal A. Hustled to the skylink and off to our gate. They were on group 4 so we walked right on the plane and the flight left on time. Our seats were facing backwards which brought back memories of the Mercury station wagon with the rear facing seats but thank goodness no motion illness. The meal was one of the best airplane meals we have been served. My main course was ravioli and Greg had chicken which was preceded by smoked carrots and a salad. My wine, Lange Classico Pinot Gris was very good with a Kiowa pour! Dessert was an ice cream sundae for me and a cheese plate for Greg. Our plane arrived an hour early which was good except we booked a driver with Blackberry Cars, and he wasn’t picking us up until 9:20, so we had an hour to wait and to do some people watching. Luckily, our driver showed early 8:50. It took way over an hour to get us to the hotel, The Royal Horse Guards.
Our room wasn’t ready so we waited in the lobby. Roberta and John arrived about an hour later and their room was ready so we dropped our carry on bags in their room and we headed to Westminster Abbey. The line was very long (45 min). The tour is with audio guide and it was pretty good. A nice start to London.
After the Abbey, we stopped at St Stevens Pub for a bite to hold us over. Roberta had pork pie and the rest of us shared two orders of potato skins.
We split up with Greg and me heading to the Churchill War Room Museum. Long line and after 30 min it had not moved so we headed back to the hotel. On the way back we stopped and watched the retiring of the horseguards.
and saw other interesting sights.
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| For the tourist |
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| Can't pass a red telephone booth without a picture! |
Our room was ready and we went up to take a break. The room was HOT. Windows were open and there was no air on. We couldn’t get the AC to come on but when the luggage arrived, the bellboy got it going but 2 min later it quit. We called for maintenance and he is bringing a part to fix it. Let’s hope so.
So, AC cannot be fixed. The are moving us to a different room but less than we reserved. We are getting 100 lb credit and moving to a room in the correct category tomorrow. Not ideal but better than being miserable all night. London was having a heat wave and the day before had set an all time high temperature for the date.
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| Our room the 2nd and 3rd night |
Roberta visited with the Concierge and booked us for dinner for 7:30 at Boyd’s Bar and Grill.
Restaurant was not crowded and food was very good. I had a pork chop and Greg had a lamb chop. By the end of supper we were pooped, so back to the hotel and was asleep quickly.
Saturday, July 28th London
We paid for breakfast when we checked in. It was a full buffet with very good service. After finishing breakfast, we grabbed a taxi and went to the Tower of London. We went straight to the Crown Jewels and saw them first and then browsed the other exhibits in a leisurely pace.
From the tower you could see the London Bridge.
After finishing here, we walked to the hop on, hop off bus station and grabbed a bus on the red line, switched to the blue line and headed to Kensington Palace.
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| Big Ben |
We stopped and had lunch at a pub, Greene King Zetland Arms. Everyone had fish and chips except me and I had scampi bites with chips.
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| Market area near the restaurant |
We then hopped back on the bus, getting off at Kensington Palace. The tour was interesting, especially the information about Queen Victoria. She was born and raised in the palace and became Queen at 18. This was the home of Princess Diana and current home of Prince William.
We finished the blue line and connected back to the red line, seeing Picadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
It started raining again,so we decided to go back to the hotel. We got the keys to our new room. It was on the 1st floor and had a working AC. View from our room.
All of our group had arrived so we went to downstairs and had a drink then headed to dinner. The concierge suggested going to the Strand area. We stopped at an Italian restaurant, L’ulivo. We all had a good meal.
Sunday, July 29th London
We all met for breakfast and then headed for Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards. We arrived around 10 and found a spot on the steps of Queen Victoria’s statue (as recommended by Rick Steves) where we could watch with a few of our favorite friends. We had a good view but the top of the fence cut off the guards faces.
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| Buckingham Palace |
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| Victoria memorial |
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| The mall connecting Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square |
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| Queeen Victoria |
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| waiting patiently |
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| a few of our friends |
After the changing of the guards, we split up. Greg and John went to the British Museum
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| Rosetta Stone |
and the Muse where they saw the coronation carriage, other carriages, a Rolls Royce, the stables and harnessing shop.
Roberta and I took the river cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge
then by taxi to a 5 min walk to St Paul’s Cathedral. We stopped for a bite and a drink at The Sugarloaf Restaurant. We were surprised that it was not crowded and food was good.
We then proceeded to the St Pauls where we entered for a choral service. The Anglican church was not open to the public on Sunday but was open for the concert. If we stayed until the organ quit playing at the end, then we could take pictures inside.
We took a taxi back to the hotel. The guys had returned and were having a drink at the terrace bar. We joined them and then Chris and Buddy joined us. An enjoyable quiet moment after three days of sightseeing. Roberta, John, Greg and I opted for an early dinner at the hotel since we have an early departure tomorrow. I had prawns and Greg had lamb chops, both very good.
Monday, July 29 London to Southampton
We had an early departure at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, Airport Express was waiting for us with 2 vans. We loaded up and were off. First stop was Stonehenge. We pre purchased tickets for 9:30. Walked up, got our tickets, audio guide and on to the shuttle which took us to the site. We walked around, the audio gave a good description. When we left the line was very long. Early departure was worth it.
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| An early arrival let us miss the crowd that was coming! |
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| How the stones were moved |
After walking all the way around, we took the shuttle back and went through the exhibition center and the store.
We left around 11:30 and drove to the port. As always, getting on Azamara was super easy. No line for suites and we walked right on. Unfortunatley, the others had a bit of a wait, which is very unusual. They kept our passports which was different. Greg went to book specialty dinners and I booked our shore excursions, then we went upstairs for a bite to eat at the buffet. We were given the premium beverage package from our travel agent but Azamara has changed packages again and Jameson is not included in the Premium package so we upgraded to the Ultimate which cost us less than $5 a day with our Loyalty level. No brainer.
We went to our room and my suitcase was here so I unpacked. Our butter Ronald, room steward Felicidad and her helper all stopped by. Ronald had been our butler on a previous cruise.
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| View from our room |
We walked around a bit and then went to Muster at 4 which was in the restaurant. Short and easy. Came back to the room and Greg’s suitcases had arrived so he unpacked. After sail away we attended the Cruise Critic meet and greet. Lots of people from the DFW area! Cruise Director is Danny who has been with Azamara for about a month. Officers were introduced and dismissed. A bit unusual. After we went around the room and introduced ourselves, cruise the Director left. Not the best meet and greet.
Dinner tonight was in Discoveries and was okay.
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| Sunset view during dinner. |
After dinner we attended the show which was an introduction to the entertainers, all very talented.
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| The Fancy Triplets. We enjoyed them very much on this cruise |
We (Hair’s and Kallina’s) stopped to listen to the piano player. We are definitely going to miss Ed and Max.
Tuesday, July 30 Oostende
Breakfast on the balcony,
went up to deck 4 to pick up our passport, and off to our tour: walking tour of Brugges with a stop at a Diamond Museum and lunch. Brugges was a delightful surprise. A small quaint medieval town with buildings in several different architectural design. Several disappointments: guide told us there was a statue of Virgin Mary by Michealangelo but we didn’t have time to see it, no time for shopping in a town known for its lace, chocolate and Belgian waffles, and the diamond museum was not as described. We thought we would see diamonds being cut, but instead the owner had the machinery used for cutting and he did a short description but it was hard to see. I had hoped to see some examples of diamonds with differnt cuts. This was a low key operation and not really a museum. Hmm, tourist trap.
Since 1927 it functions as a convent for Benedictines.
We walked into Oostende when we returned to port in search of a magnet and chocolates. It was a very busy town area but not with typical tourist shops but we (Hair’s and Jensen’s) persevered in finding a chocolate store.
We loved the town of Brugges and would love to have spent more time exploring the medieval town on our own.
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| view from the balcony |
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| our guide |
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| chocolates |
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| Diamond demonstration |
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| Church of our Lady built 1270 |
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| Market Square |
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| Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde |
Lunch was at a restaurant (Maximillan's) with a set menu, lettuce with crumbled tuna and dressing, chicken with a mushroom gravy and fries and pudding. Okay but not great and not very authentic.
We walked into Oostende when we returned to port in search of a magnet and chocolates. It was a very busy town area but not with typical tourist shops but we (Hair’s and Jensen’s) persevered in finding a chocolate store.
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| St Peter and St Paul Chuch |
Dinner tonight was in Discoveries and was very good. I had coconut shrimp and Greg had prime rib. For some reason Azamara thinks it is the Kallina’s anniversary. Their room was decorated and they brought a cake to our table! After dinner Greg and I went to the Living Room to listen to the Fancy Triplets who are from Ukraine. We really enjoyed their song selection.
Wednesday, July 31 Amsterdam
Greg had an early tour to Arnhem and Oosterbeek, drove through the town and talked about the battle depicted in Bridge too Far, went to small museum about the American action. Had a two hour lunch with great schnitzel and on to a larger museum about the British-Canadian action. Drive home was 1.75 hours due to traffic.
I had breakfast in the room and left for my excursion, a tour on the canals.
It was raining when I returned so I ordered room service and read. Tonight was the Azamazing Evening so dinner was a buffet in the MDR. Our floor was the first called. We went by canal boat to the Maritime Museum.
Before going inside we toured a Dutch East Indies sailing ship, a replica of the one that sank in the channel on its maiden voyage. There was also a canal boat on display used by a king. It’s was definitely blinged out!
The concert started with a men’s choir singing lively Dutch songs
followed by a really good string orchestra. A solo by a young violinist and a featured vocalist were highlights of the performance.
We returned by canal boats. I think it was the quickest arrival and departure for an Azamara Azamazing event.
I had breakfast in the room and left for my excursion, a tour on the canals.
It was raining when I returned so I ordered room service and read. Tonight was the Azamazing Evening so dinner was a buffet in the MDR. Our floor was the first called. We went by canal boat to the Maritime Museum.
Before going inside we toured a Dutch East Indies sailing ship, a replica of the one that sank in the channel on its maiden voyage. There was also a canal boat on display used by a king. It’s was definitely blinged out!
The concert started with a men’s choir singing lively Dutch songs
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| Cruise Director Danny |
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| Captain Johannes Tysse |
We returned by canal boats. I think it was the quickest arrival and departure for an Azamara Azamazing event.
After returningto the boat we (Hairs and Kallina’s) went to the Living Room to listen to karaoke. A couple of good singers and some not so good!
Thursday, August 1st Amsterdam
We had an early excursion so we headed down right after breakfast. Our tour was to the Van Gogh Museum. We had 25 on the bus but separated into two groups. Our guide was Marcella. She walked with us through the 3 floors in the main museum and then gave us an hour to visit the sunflower exhibit and be on our own. After the sunflower exhibit we went back to the first floor to see the self portraits again which we felt a bit rushed the first time.
After the excursion, we had lunch on the Patio. My beef kabob was really good. The Fancy Triplets were playing by the pool for sail away.
After the excursion, we had lunch on the Patio. My beef kabob was really good. The Fancy Triplets were playing by the pool for sail away.
We watched cruising down the river from Amsterdam to the North Sea as we passed through one lock. The industrial port area extended for a long way with lots and lots of barges.
Then we saw a resort area with beach cottages and a beach. After that we were in open water.
Everyone met at 7:00 in the Living Room for cocktails, then dinner in Aqualina at 8. Food was awesome but it was slow as molasses. Two couples were seated after us, they were on dessert before we had our second course. We didn’t leave until after 10:30. Manager was notified but things didn’t move along. It was embarrassing on our part, we have bragged so much on Azamara for their food and service.
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| Bicycles everywhere |
Then we saw a resort area with beach cottages and a beach. After that we were in open water.
Everyone met at 7:00 in the Living Room for cocktails, then dinner in Aqualina at 8. Food was awesome but it was slow as molasses. Two couples were seated after us, they were on dessert before we had our second course. We didn’t leave until after 10:30. Manager was notified but things didn’t move along. It was embarrassing on our part, we have bragged so much on Azamara for their food and service.
Friday, August 2nd Kiel Canal
We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony. We entered the Kiel Canal around 9 am. A nice slow cruise down the canal.
There was a traditional Fruhschoppen(German tradition for meeting up at a pub in the late morning) in Discoveries with the Journey Band playing German music. We went at 1 with the Kallina’s and could not find a table for 4, so we split up. There was a talk at 2 on Baltic History- The Clash of Titans- The Maritime Majesty of Sweden and Russia. The guest lecturer is Jennifer.
I stayed for the lecture on Matryoshka with Nicole Ciszewski.
Living Room was packed at 5:30 while Fancy Triplets played. No one was playing music anywhere else. Hmmm, maybe on sea days we need more options around the boat. Dinner tonight was in Prime C at 7:45. We met at the bar at 7:15 and it was full so they went ahead and seated us and we ordered our cocktails from the restaurant. While the service was much, much better we still didn’t finish until 10. Everyone had chateaubriand and I think everyone was extremely pleased.
Greg and I went to the theater and saw the last half of the show which was a performance by the cruise Director, Danny. He is really talented and what we saw was outstanding.
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| Nice sunset during dinner |
Greg and I went to the theater and saw the last half of the show which was a performance by the cruise Director, Danny. He is really talented and what we saw was outstanding.
Saturday, Aug 3 Warnemunde
Warnemunde is in former east Germany. We did not have an excursion until 2 pm so we ate a late breakfast. We sat on the balcony for awhile and then went to the pool area so they could clean the room. We finally had a warm, sunny day and it felt good.
We decided to walk into the port town. There were small booths set up everywhere and people walking up and down the streets on both sides of the canal. We didn’t realize that there were 4 cruise ships in port until we got off our ship. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant, Papparazzi, and had a pizza which was really good.
Our tour left at 2. First we drove through the countryside with the guide, Ulf, pointed out things. We stopped at the beach area and had cake and a drink and then we had time to walk around. We walked down to the water which was very clear. There were people everywhere. This area is a very popular resort area for the local people and it was a beautiful day.
Our next stop was the Molli railroad, a narrow gauge railway. Our engine was built during the Soviet reign in 1954. The ride was pretty short but fun.
Our last stop was a monastery that was started in the 1100’s but what is standing now was finished in 1368. It is currently a Lutheran church. Pretty impressive.
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| A very empty pool deck. An usual site on a cruise ship |
Our tour left at 2. First we drove through the countryside with the guide, Ulf, pointed out things. We stopped at the beach area and had cake and a drink and then we had time to walk around. We walked down to the water which was very clear. There were people everywhere. This area is a very popular resort area for the local people and it was a beautiful day.
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| Oh my amd he is wearing a woman's bra |
Our next stop was the Molli railroad, a narrow gauge railway. Our engine was built during the Soviet reign in 1954. The ride was pretty short but fun.
Our last stop was a monastery that was started in the 1100’s but what is standing now was finished in 1368. It is currently a Lutheran church. Pretty impressive.
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| Our guide, Olf |
Greg and I ate at the patio and then to the Theater. Tonight was a singers and dancers performance, Come Sail Away. Nicely done. We went to the Living Room to listen to the Fancy Triplets after dinner. Everywhere we went tonight was deserted. A lot of people went to Berlin which was a long day 7 am to 7:30 pm. I think most ate in the buffet and went to bed.
Sunday Aug 4. Sea Day
Azamara hosted a Jazz Brunch starting at 10. We went early because on other cruises the orchestra would not be playing when we went toward the end. The upside we found a seat easily and the band was playing, the downside was the food was more lunch than breakfast.
We attended the lecture on the Romanov’s with Jennifer. The LeClub Voyage reception was at 5 and was well attended and the lead singers performed a couple of songs. The top cruiser had 30 cruises with Azamara. I had read about this couple but this was the first time we had sailed with them. After the reception, we stopped for a drink in Spirits, then dinner in Discoveries. The entertainer tonight from 54 Below at Sea, Phil Hitchcock, a magician, who was good.
Monday, Aug 5. Helsinki
Breakfast in the room
and off to our excursion at 9 am, Helsinki highlights and Porvoo. After pointing out a few sights in Helsinki, we headed for Porvoo which was founded in 1346.
We stopped first at a restaurant for Runeberg cake, a cake baked by Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife.
After that we could roam on our own or stay with the guide. We opted to go on our own. We headed up the hill to the Orthodox cathedral that is now a Lutheran church. The church was built in the 1400’s. After that we wandered the small medieval town, buying a print and our magnet.
The ride back to port included a drive through down town Helsinki and a stop at the Cathedral for pictures, but only from outside.
We could have stayed in town but came back to the ship on the bus. We had lunch in the Patio and Roberta and John joined us. The kabobs were again very good. Dinner tonight was back to Aqualina. We were given a different waiter and we had a much more pleasant experience. Greg and I even made it to the theater for the show featuring the 2 lead singers.
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| View as we arrived |
We stopped first at a restaurant for Runeberg cake, a cake baked by Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife.
After that we could roam on our own or stay with the guide. We opted to go on our own. We headed up the hill to the Orthodox cathedral that is now a Lutheran church. The church was built in the 1400’s. After that we wandered the small medieval town, buying a print and our magnet.
The ride back to port included a drive through down town Helsinki and a stop at the Cathedral for pictures, but only from outside.
We could have stayed in town but came back to the ship on the bus. We had lunch in the Patio and Roberta and John joined us. The kabobs were again very good. Dinner tonight was back to Aqualina. We were given a different waiter and we had a much more pleasant experience. Greg and I even made it to the theater for the show featuring the 2 lead singers.
Tuesday, August 6 St Petersburg
Suites were to meet in Spirits for disembarking at 8. We had talked to the concierge and he said the non suites in our group could join us. Our forms had to be with no scratches or writeovers, we were told to be as solemn as the Russians were. It was a bit intimidating and you could tell everyone was nervous. But, it really was quite easy and we were through immigration quickly. Our guide Olga with Best Guides Group met us outside (always a sigh of relief but especially so today) and we were off in a nice large, very clean van with driver Sergei.
The tour started with a ride around St Petersburg stopping for pictures at St Isaacs Cathedral and then 7 bridges with its mystical reputation that any wishes you make here will come true!
The Hermitage Museum was the rest of morning. We had early entry passes for 9:45. We saw about half of the museum with no crowds. Then it got crowded around 11. We grabbed a sandwich in the Hermitage cafe.
The Hermitage was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.
After lunch we drove to the island with the Peter and Paul fortress and then went through the Cathedral. The Peter and Paul fortress was the first building in St Petersburg and considered the birthplace of the city. It was built by Peter the Great in 1703 and built to Domenico Trezzini's designs from 1706 to 1740 as a star fortress. In the early 1920s, it was still used as a prison and execution ground by the Bolshevik government.
Our next stop was the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It was built in memory of Alexander II who was assassinated in 1881. The church stands in the very place where a bomb was thrown into his carriage by a young man who opposed the Tsar's reforms.
Our last stop was Faberge Museum. The Faberge Museum was founded to preserve, study, and promote Russia's cultural heritage. The museum's collection contains the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts.
We got back to the boat around 8. The lady at immigration was pretty rude, tossing our passports at us and not a smile anywhere in the building. It was White Night on the ship but the buffet started at 6:30 so we opted to go straight to the dining room. Most of us were wearing jeans but they said no problem. We did ask if we needed to go change. Greg and I both had Veal Saltimboco. After dinner we all crashed.
The tour started with a ride around St Petersburg stopping for pictures at St Isaacs Cathedral and then 7 bridges with its mystical reputation that any wishes you make here will come true!
The Hermitage Museum was the rest of morning. We had early entry passes for 9:45. We saw about half of the museum with no crowds. Then it got crowded around 11. We grabbed a sandwich in the Hermitage cafe.
The Hermitage was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.
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| Peter The Great |
Sites as we drive through St Petersburg.
Our last stop was Faberge Museum. The Faberge Museum was founded to preserve, study, and promote Russia's cultural heritage. The museum's collection contains the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts.
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| An Easter 1911 gift for Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna from her husband Tsar Nicholas II, who had a standing order of two Fabergé Easter eggs every year, one for his mother and one for his wife. |
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| The Renaissance Egg of 1894, the last Imperial Easter Egg given to Empress Maria Feodorovna by her husband Alexander III. |
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| Lillies of the Valley Egg |
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| Imperial Coronation Egg |
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| Bay Tree Egg |
We got back to the boat around 8. The lady at immigration was pretty rude, tossing our passports at us and not a smile anywhere in the building. It was White Night on the ship but the buffet started at 6:30 so we opted to go straight to the dining room. Most of us were wearing jeans but they said no problem. We did ask if we needed to go change. Greg and I both had Veal Saltimboco. After dinner we all crashed.
Wednesday August 7th St Petersburg Day 2
We met a little before 8 and were off the ship quickly and Olga was waiting on us. Our first stop was Smolny Convent, a monastery that turned into a very strict girls school for the aristocract daughters.
The convent's main church was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also redesigned the Winter Palace, and created the Grand Catherine Palace, the Grand Palace in Peterhof and many other major St. Petersburg landmarks.
In April 2015 Smolny Cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, and will be converted back to its original purpose as a church
Right before ariving at the palace, we saw the resident of the last tsar. His palace was heavily damaged as well during WWII but has not been restored, although they are beginning to start the restoration. You could see how bad the destruction was.
Then we spent the rest of the morning at Catherine’s Palace. Oh my!!
The Catherine Palace is named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great, who ruled Russia for two years after her husband's death. Originally a modest two-storey building commissioned by Peter for Catherine in 1717, the Catherine Palace owes its awesome grandeur to their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who chose Tsarskoe Selo as her chief summer residence. Starting in 1743, the building was reconstructed by four different architects, before Bartholomeo Rastrelli, Chief Architect of the Imperial Court, was instructed to completely redesign the building on a scale to rival Versailles.
The convent's main church was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also redesigned the Winter Palace, and created the Grand Catherine Palace, the Grand Palace in Peterhof and many other major St. Petersburg landmarks.
In April 2015 Smolny Cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, and will be converted back to its original purpose as a church
After a drive through a different part of St Petersburg we headed for the village of Pushkin, named after their most famous poet. Half way there we stopped at Catherine’s stopover Palace where she stayed on her way to her Palace. It was heavily damaged in WWII and has been restored
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| Chesma Cathedral |
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| Stopover Palace between Hermitage and Catherine's Palace |
Then we spent the rest of the morning at Catherine’s Palace. Oh my!!
The Catherine Palace is named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great, who ruled Russia for two years after her husband's death. Originally a modest two-storey building commissioned by Peter for Catherine in 1717, the Catherine Palace owes its awesome grandeur to their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who chose Tsarskoe Selo as her chief summer residence. Starting in 1743, the building was reconstructed by four different architects, before Bartholomeo Rastrelli, Chief Architect of the Imperial Court, was instructed to completely redesign the building on a scale to rival Versailles.
After leaving Pushkin, we drive back to the city center for lunch at Russia Vodka Room No 1. Olga said it is St Peterburg’s best restaurant. Greg and I both had beef stroganoff. Greg had a Russian beer and I had a White Russian wine. All very good and very filling!
After lunch we went to Yusopov Palace, home of a very wealthy aristocrat and where Rasputin was killed on December 17th 1916. The Yusupovs were immensely wealthy and known for their philanthropy and art collections. The luxurious interiors of the palace were not inferior to those of contemporary royal palaces. More than 40,000 works of art, including works by Rembrandt, jewelry, and sculptures decorated the palace. Following the Russian Revolution, the palace was nationalised and its works of art were largely relocated to the Hermitage and other museums. Ernst Friedrich von Liphart, who was the curator of paintings at the Hermitage, had earlier painted the curtain and ceiling of the palace theater.
Back to the boat by 5. Roberta and Gaynel went to the ballet and Chris and Buddy had the chefs table tonight. Greg and I were both so full from lunch that we went to the buffet and had just a bit to eat then went to the Living Room to listen to the Orchestra play.
Back to the boat by 5. Roberta and Gaynel went to the ballet and Chris and Buddy had the chefs table tonight. Greg and I were both so full from lunch that we went to the buffet and had just a bit to eat then went to the Living Room to listen to the Orchestra play.
Thursday, August 8 St Peterson Day 3
We had a slight smile from the immigration officer as we left the ship this morning. Small miracle! Olga and Sergei were waiting for us. First stop was for shopping where surprise, we all made purchases. Next was a scenic stop overlooking the river with two Egyptian sphinxes brought to St Petersburg by a tzar. The Saint Petersburg Sphinxes are about 3500 years old. Their faces are portraits of Amenhotep III and the shape of their headwear indicate that he was the ruler of two kingdoms—the Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. The sphinxes weigh about 23 tons each.
We passed by the first Christian Orthodox Church in the city and the only cathedral that remained a church through time.
We stopped at a neighborhood market
then headed to Peterhof Palace and gardens. We all decided it was our favorite stop. We toured the palace built by Peter the Great which was really pretty small. None of his palaces were that large but other tzars enlarged them through time. This palace was not enlarged and not destroyed in the war.
Then we walked through the beautiful gardens and fountains. We did not see all 105 fountains. Some of the fountains were trick fountains and reminded us of the trick gardens we saw in Salzburg. You have to wonder if Peter the Great saw the water garden in Austria which was built at least a century earlier. Hmmm.
The large palace was built by Alexandria and enlarged by Catherine the Great. We did not tour it because Olga said it looked very much like Catherine’s Palace.
Lunch was at Toknu City.
After lunch we passed by Putin’s St Petersburg home,
Olga pointed out apartments built during Stalin’s time.
Our last stop was a tour through St Isaac’s Cathedral which was started under Alexander I and dedicated to St Isaac of Dalmatia by Peter the Great. It became a museum in 1931 by the Soviets.
We said our goodbyes to Olga and Sergei. Cannot compliment their professional and knowledgeable service they provided enough as well as being so pleasant. It truly was a wonderful three days and we were in excellent hands. We were not greeted back by a smile but did get the passports tossed at us again. Just as we were boarding the ship, it started to sprinkle and then the heavens opened up and it poured. There was a reception for top loyalty members at the Sunset Bar but it was moved inside. Typical reception, with appetizers and drinks. No talks, officers were there but not much interaction.
We passed by the first Christian Orthodox Church in the city and the only cathedral that remained a church through time.
We stopped at a neighborhood market
then headed to Peterhof Palace and gardens. We all decided it was our favorite stop. We toured the palace built by Peter the Great which was really pretty small. None of his palaces were that large but other tzars enlarged them through time. This palace was not enlarged and not destroyed in the war.
Then we walked through the beautiful gardens and fountains. We did not see all 105 fountains. Some of the fountains were trick fountains and reminded us of the trick gardens we saw in Salzburg. You have to wonder if Peter the Great saw the water garden in Austria which was built at least a century earlier. Hmmm.
Lunch was at Toknu City.
After lunch we passed by Putin’s St Petersburg home,
Olga pointed out apartments built during Stalin’s time.
Our last stop was a tour through St Isaac’s Cathedral which was started under Alexander I and dedicated to St Isaac of Dalmatia by Peter the Great. It became a museum in 1931 by the Soviets.
We said our goodbyes to Olga and Sergei. Cannot compliment their professional and knowledgeable service they provided enough as well as being so pleasant. It truly was a wonderful three days and we were in excellent hands. We were not greeted back by a smile but did get the passports tossed at us again. Just as we were boarding the ship, it started to sprinkle and then the heavens opened up and it poured. There was a reception for top loyalty members at the Sunset Bar but it was moved inside. Typical reception, with appetizers and drinks. No talks, officers were there but not much interaction.
Tonight dinner was in Prime C and was another wonderful meal with excellent service. Greg and I both had rack of lamb. We were able to watch from our table as we sailed out of the canal.
The show tonight was the magician again so we passed.
The show tonight was the magician again so we passed.
Friday, August 9 Tallinn
We had a private tour with Maria, Sagu Tours.
We started with a walk toward the Palace.
How appropriate that we start the tour at a Palace built by Peter the Great. It was finished after he and Catherine died. We walked through the park and the gardens behind the Palace.
Next stop was the Tallinn Song Festival stadium built for their musical festival which is held every 5 years with over 30000 choir members performing for over 80,000 people.
It was also the site of a large demonstration. On Sept 11, 1988, an estimated 300,000 people gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to listen to speeches by the Estonian independence movemnet activists. Maria gave us her prospective of life under Soviet rule and life now. She pointed out several buildings that were built or used by the Soviet government, including a prison and apartment buildings.
We left the van and walked through the old medieval town. It was a much larger old town than we have seen.
We had planned to walk back to the ship but we were all tired, so Maria called for a van to take us back. We were sailing at 3 so there wasn’t much time to explore anyway. It would have been nice to spend more time here.
We started with a walk toward the Palace.
How appropriate that we start the tour at a Palace built by Peter the Great. It was finished after he and Catherine died. We walked through the park and the gardens behind the Palace.
Next stop was the Tallinn Song Festival stadium built for their musical festival which is held every 5 years with over 30000 choir members performing for over 80,000 people.
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| mid size Russian car |
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| small Russian car |
We left the van and walked through the old medieval town. It was a much larger old town than we have seen.
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| Town Hall Pharmacy, oldest apothecary in Europe |
We had planned to walk back to the ship but we were all tired, so Maria called for a van to take us back. We were sailing at 3 so there wasn’t much time to explore anyway. It would have been nice to spend more time here.
After returning to the ship, we ate lunch at the Patio and then off to pack. We met in Spirits and then ate in Discoveries. We made the last half the Show in Cabaret. Again, they were really good.
Off to put our suitcases outside our room.
Off to put our suitcases outside our room.
Saturday, Aug 10 Stockholm
We were out of our room at 8 and called to desembark. We had to go to Cabaret and show our passports to be stamped and then off to find our luggage. We rolled them to the bus and we were off for a tour of the highlights of Stockholm and then a visit to the Vasa Museum. Our guide gave us a tour and then we had 30 min on our own. It was really interesting. The Vasa ship capsized and sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. After over 300 yers on the the ocean's floor the warship was salvaged and is the best preserved 17th century ship and most visited musuem in Scandinavia.
The highlights tour continued with a scenic and bathroom stop.
Then off to the airport. We said goodbye to Chris and Buddy here as they were spending the night in Stockholm and flying out tomorrow. The airport was crazy busy but we found the priority line and that helped. After getting checked in and through security, we spent the next 5 hours in the lounge. We were flying British Airways to London. There was food and drink provided and we entertained the British gentleman with our discussion on the best way to get from the airport to our hotels. I finally asked if we were amusing him and he chuckled and visited with us for awhile. His opinion that a taxi was the way to go. Our flight was on time and we grabbed a taxi and off to our hotel, Novotel. It was not our best room. We stayed at a Novotel in Santiago and had a nice experience. Not all Novotels are the same! The shower sprayed on the bathroom floor and they only gave us 2 towels and no hand towels or wash cloths. We called and asked for more but no luck. Bed was hard. Oh well, it was just one night and home was calling.
The highlights tour continued with a scenic and bathroom stop.
Then off to the airport. We said goodbye to Chris and Buddy here as they were spending the night in Stockholm and flying out tomorrow. The airport was crazy busy but we found the priority line and that helped. After getting checked in and through security, we spent the next 5 hours in the lounge. We were flying British Airways to London. There was food and drink provided and we entertained the British gentleman with our discussion on the best way to get from the airport to our hotels. I finally asked if we were amusing him and he chuckled and visited with us for awhile. His opinion that a taxi was the way to go. Our flight was on time and we grabbed a taxi and off to our hotel, Novotel. It was not our best room. We stayed at a Novotel in Santiago and had a nice experience. Not all Novotels are the same! The shower sprayed on the bathroom floor and they only gave us 2 towels and no hand towels or wash cloths. We called and asked for more but no luck. Bed was hard. Oh well, it was just one night and home was calling.
Sunday, Aug 11 London to Kiowa
We ordered a taxi for 8:50 and off to the airport. Checking in was super easy, we got to use fast track and had access to the American Airlines lounge. It was really nice with a full breakfast. Flight left and arrived on time. Kudos to American Airlines on this trip.
