At Sea...

We have finally met more folks and adding them to our list of great people including Greg, Gretchen and Sarah. Gretchen and I had a talk about what we would do differently to get the most out of St. Petersberg and that would be to NOT come back to the ship and do lunch like we did. It wasted too much time. If you can do a quick pack your own lunch or an eat and run, you should do this..there is just too much to see.

If you were to spend 1 minute with each work of art at the Hermitage, you would spend about 11 years here, so you really need to plan your time accordingly. I would like to go back and spend more time in certain rooms. Our guide was really knowledgeable about the art and, while quick, added some fascinating facts for us. I would have just liked to savor some of the art longer.

Crime is becoming an increasing problem. Do invest in a money belt and wear it. Don't bring purses if you can avoid it. I left mine in the car. All of us (no matter what guide or guide service) were steered away from the flea market). We were told to stay away from the Underground.

A shopping day might make sense, but it should be made cost effective. I noticed Red October stores were a fairly decent price. Beluga offered the best prices on caviar. Someone got a great deal on a persian fur ($2500). So, you really need to scope out what you want. I found RO had best quality and prices on gold faberge egg jewely. Try to stay to one store to not waste too much time..2 hours should be just right. There really isn't too much. Faberge eggs (I understand there are some classy stores around some of the better hotels). The ship has some THeo Faberge eggs. Amber is big all over this trip. We were given no time to shop at the museum. Radisson allowed its tours 30 minutes for shopping, but some folks resented that. Sometimes you just can't win!

We finally have had time to bond with folks. This trip had no down time until yesterday evening and today and we are just starting to meet and talk. We have all been running, running, running...It has been odd in that respect.

There are a lot of things to see and let me try to make some sense of things:

Peterhof:

1 hour out of St. Petersberg. A great tour because you get to see the suburbs of the city and how folks live along the way. THERE ARE THREE PALACES HERE and a large Versailles like garden. You should decide what you want to see so you aren't disappointed. The large palace is Russian Baroque and grand, but duplicative with Catherine's Palace. which is supposedly grander. There is also Peter the Great's summer palace, done in Dutch Baroque, but if it's raining you won't get to see it. There is also his daughter's palace next door, done in classic baroque. The garden's and the 160? fountains are the main draws. Know what you what to see.

Catherine's Palace..has the amber room and is out of St. Petersberg. Quite grand and worth the trip..plan to lose an entire morning, with sightseeing along the way.

City tour..interesting, but there are a lot of stops for pictures of statues. Do you care to take pictures of statues? If not, let them know that you don't want to stop.

Canal tour..heard nice things about this.

St Isaacs Church and Spilled Blood..Worth a stop and photo op...Very beautiful places

Hermitage...Know what you want to see

Russian City Museum..Russian artists and impressionists (including Kadinsky and Chagall)

Special homes (look them up and make special requests, authors, etc)

Artillery museums, etc.

Again, there is a lot to see and do..perhaps we'll return for BRAVO next year. It's really a thilling trip and with good friends,it will be extra special.

On a special note: The service and food in all the dining rooms has been spectacular. DOug and I have been eating at Michelin one to three star places in Europe and this ship compares favorably in every way. With our little note to room service, room service was delayed to the right time!

The Head of Housekeeping sent a bottle of Champagne to our suite to apologize for our difficulties with the laundry on top of the apologies and refund. Our steward and stewardess, Victor and Marie are the best we have ever had on any Radisson ship.

The captain opened up the bridge for everyone to visit today.

Bye bye...We'll be sorry to leave.