End of an epic journey!

Here we are sitting in cafe zoom in st Petersburg having just waved
goodbye to Megan and nain who are on their way to Frankfurt to be
joined by becca and gwyn tomorrow. Internet access has been rare so we
haven't been updating blog but here are our highlights;

Nain - amber room at catherine's palace in Pushkin and kremlin in Moscow

Gwyn - lenin's tomb and kihzi island

Kate - kremlin square with churches as sun came out and struck the dome

Meg - dinner with the lady in uglich, seeing her gardens, and pastoral
landscape in general.

Bec - all the interiors of churches covered with frescoes.

As we landed in Dusseldorf the sun was rising, the child who had been screaming all the way from somewhere above Newfoundland finally shut up, and the loud German family that had been talking over Gwyn's head all night settled down. The girls unfolded themselves and made their way from the very back of the plane to the front where nain was ready to get up after a good nights sleep in Business Class (what the heck, when you fall off a wall you dont want to f-about in the cheapseats). She was whisked from the plane entrance by a keen German dude, and shown to our connecting gate. A quiet holding-pen-like room in the no-mans-land section of the airport. We were told that if we wanted to go to the Luftansa lounge we'd have to enter germany, so after about 34 seconds contemplating 4 hours in the holding pen we decided it was well worth getting a german stamp in our passports. The Luftansa lounge staff didn't seem to care that four of us were entering under one member card so we sauntered in and tucked into a fruit salad, tea and a strange turd-shaped bun. It was duly noted that the beer taps and sparkling wine was open unlike in Canada when the lounges don't serve alcohol until the civilized hour of 11am. Its 7am in dusseldorf and Megan is tucking into a pint. (just kidding, actually she has a strong black coffee). We board for Moscow in a few hours and can't wait to see kate and rachelle and looking forward to our 'Welcome Drinks' on the cruise. Will be interesting to see how we upset the usual demographic of the passenger list.

Departure day

What does one pack for a cruise? The temperatures look okay - although St P is a lot cooler than Moscow at the moment - 14 and Moscow is 22. Megan and I have our filthy crocs for walking in (best walking shoes ever, even if they do look like plastic cullinders). Gwyn had no luggage last night, her bag got stuck between Quebec City and Toronto, so she may be completely clothless. I am leaving room for a family or two of Russian dolls in my bag. Rob has given me his collection of Chekhov short stories The Later Years, with little ticks in the margin for the best ones to read, although according to him they are all spectacular. I read 'Sleepy' last night about the babysitter who can't keep her eyes open, and then fell asleep and dreamed about lions and tigers on Barnes Common. Not sure if that was Chekhov's fault.

Must go for a pedicure - simply can't go on a cruise without a pedicure.

HERE WE GO.....

Okay, we now have officially 6 days until take off! I don't think i've ever been this excited. I really need to start to brush up on my Russian literature/film/history etc.

See you on Sunday!!!

xx

about our ship!

RUSSIA
MS TOLSTOY

• Most luxurious and comfortable cruise ship ever built for Russian rivers; completely refurbished
• Deluxe cruise accommodation in 110 sq.ft. outside staterooms (20% larger than other ships); triple staterooms also available (Cat. D only)
• Jr. Suites are 220 sq. ft. with sitting area and two beds that can be put together; spacious Suites are 330 sq. ft. and have a dayroom, refrigerator and separate bedroom
• Bathrooms feature a separate shower area, which is unique for Russian ships
• Superb dining with all meals included in the elegant restaurant, which accommodates all guests in one seating without fixed seating arrangements
• Quality wines or juice included with every dinner; complimentary bottled water in every stateroom
• Welcome Reception and Farewell Gala Dinner
• Charming Katrina Restaurant lined with panoramic windows; beautiful Kostroma Lounge and Neva Bar
• Spacious Sun Deck and smaller Patio Deck—idea for cocktail receptions
• Daily entertainment onboard and/or on shore, plus nightly piano music and dancing onboard
• Special highlights including folkloric performances, lectures, theme dinners and local activities
• Indoor swimming pool and sauna
• Pushkin library, Tchaikovsky Hall, beauty salon and souvenir shop
• Non-Smoking Environment (smoking only on Sun Deck)

Russian wedding atire

I think we should all buy Russian dresses to wear at Alex and Margot's. and hats!

Perfect really.

Russian Ark

I saw the film but my knowledge of Russian history is sadly lacking, so I did not understand a lot of what was going on. Was that the point? Perhaps I need to do some more readings beforehand.