9-29-2013 St Petersburg

9-29-2013 St Petersburg - Final Day

LAT Post

Another day another palace.  This was the Peterhof Gand Palace which was a little drive out of the area where our boat is docked.  It was Sunday so the traffic was not so bad. Had nice scenery to look at ..although for the most part it was grey.  This palace is listed as the one of the top things to see while in the city.  My impression is it pretty much like all the others with the exception of the garden with a man made canal and 2000 fountains.  The rooms were silk lined and gold gilded..nothing new there.  It did have a very good gift shop so that was fun. I guess I think it was worth it because of the garden and the history we heard from our guide on the trip into the palace.

In the afternoon we took a canal ride that was a little disappointing...only because the weather did not cooperate.  It was rainy and so you could not see out the windows very well..which sorta impacts a tour!  Oh well it was pretty short so we got back to the boat in  time to relax and talk with new friends and to tip a couple of beers.  They had a kick off meeting and introduced the crew ..and then on to dinner.. I had a very lite meal but did manage to have some desert (ice cream).

About 12 midnight I was awoken by the rocking and I do mean rocking of the boat.  It was quite a storm and I feel really sorry for anyone with motion sickness..as this storm would have totally hit them, it lasted a good three hours,  Linda thought we should get our life jackets out.. I didn't quite go there.  We sailed thru the nite on into the morning.

LMR Post

Another palace - this time we could not take pictures, but still very gorgeous.  Lots of silk draperies that matched the silk wallpaper, even the upholstery on the chairs. Great museum gift shop.  I checked to be sure the items were made in Russia and not in other parts of the world.

Upon return part of our group missed the bus and had to take a cab back to the ship.  Our tour guide warned us if we were not back in time to the bus we would be left and that it was an expensive cab ride back.  All part of the adventure.

Back for lunch.  Had cheese and tuna sandwich which was very good.

In the PM we took a canal and Neva river cruise,  Unfortunately It was foggy, cold, rainy so it didn't turn out quite like we expected.  We returned to the ship for a quiet time in the Skybar. then the captains toast - dinner at 8 PM cruising until tomorrow at 1:30 PM.  Will be nice to have quiet time with no scheduled adventures. We have been told it is good shopping-in Mandrogy.