We hopped off at Saint Peter and Paul to identify the tomb of Peter
the Great and compare the Trubleskoy Bastion with Alctraz -- Russian
prison cells are more spacious!
Dinner was at the FishHouse www. Fish-spb.ru where the herring (with a
shot of vodka) was the best I have ever tasted!
PICTURES TO COME
Today was an experience that exceeded all expectations. Between the
grandeur of the palace rooms and the extensive art collection, with
not one but roomfuls of the masters, it was a day spend in another
world. When I say that my favorite part was the inflame parquet
floors, I hope I am conveying that every detail was magnificent.
And we saw Matisse's Dancers.
Peter the Great laid out his city to resemble Amsterdam, so we decided
to experience the similarities. Using the DK guide, we joined a
walking tour mid way. What a disappointment! The canal was littered
with floating rubbish, the houses were dilapidated with peeling paint,
andq cars were parked haphazardly alll over the place.
But after crossing a main street onto a different canal, our opinions
changed. The houses were more graceful, though in no way as elegant as
Amsterdam, and we were able to walk along the bank of the canal
unimpeded by cars. There were many tour boats - like both Amsterdam
and Moscow - and the whole scene was reminiscent of Amsterdam. We
ended where we should have begun, at the Church of Spilled Blood. It's
impossible to describe the overwhelming sensation of glitter and
religious decoration of the interior. I'll add a photo once I ama back
on my computer to at least give followers a glimpse.
We boarded the 7am train at the Lenongrad station in Moscow. Leaving
the city we saw block after block of high-rise apartment buildings,
then fir and birch forests, punctuated by villages with simple wooden
houses, or stucco houses with corrugated iron roofs. Industrial areas
were run-down and rusty, all signs of a poor country.
Travelling first class on the fast train had its perks: an attendant
who spoke English, breakfast served to us, wifi and a service that
organized a taxi to meet us on arrival. Speed varied between 188 and
248 km/hr. There were two stops: one of two minutes, and the other of
one minute. We pulled into the Moscow station in Saint Petersburg at
11 am. A repres ntative of the taxi service met us on the platform.
First impressions of Saint Petersburg. More "European". The buildings
are still substantial, but less oppressive. they have a simpler
architecture and the stucco is painted in pastel colours. But after
Mosocw's power-washing and regilding in preparation for May 9, the
city had a dingy feel. We arrived at our hotel - American - to be
greeted with glasses of champagne!
