h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How can I adequately explain the shear joy and amazement I felt during my visit to St Petersburg into words I wonder. Well I can but try.

First a Top Tip - Never ever under any circumstance attempt to cross the road in St Petersburg during rush hour. Those people I saw who were rash enough to try ended doing a very good impression of Munch's "The Scream". I don't know if there is a driving test in Russia but if there is I don't think it includes anything about giving way at road junctions, stopping at red lights or not hitting pedestrians who happen to get in the way. Total gridlock seems to be the norm as crossroads as no-one is prepared to leave a gap between themselves and the vehicle in front. A good number of drivers have hit on an obvious solution to this - if the road is blocked simply drive on the pavement.

The drive from the docks to the historic centre of the City takes you (very slowly ) through streets lined with buildings which have seen better days. It's understandable that what public money there is for building restoration is spend in the area that attract tourists but it is a shame that some splendid buildings have been allowed to go to seed.

It is difficult to describe the sheer magnificence of the many of the buildings in historic St Petersburg. I had seen photographs of course but hadn't really appreciated the scale of such places as The Winter Palace which is a truely magnificent building. More later.

St Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 which makes it new in comparison with other European cities. At the heart of the historic city is the Peter and Paul Fortress situated on one of the many islands in the Neva River. This was the first stop on the tour. Of particular interest within the fortress is St Peter and Pauls' Cathedral which contains the Tombs of Russian Emperors, including Peter the Great and is where the remains of Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra and their children where finally laid to rest after they were recovered in 1991. Rumour has it that when Prince Michael of Kent visited to pay his respects in 1992 people were collapsing all over the place because he so resembles the last Tsar that he was thought to be Nicholas II come back from the grave.

On past the Cruiser Aurora which fired the blank round at the Winter Palace as a signal to start the 1917 revolution and views of the Winter Palace, The Admiralty and much, much more to the next stop at St Isaac's Square which contains St Isaac's Cathedral and the Monument to Nicholas I. The Cathedral is yet another maginificent building topped with a giant golden dome surrounded by 4 smaller golden cupolas which cover bell towers. Unfortunately no time to go inside the Cathedral. The many freezes that adorn the external walls are a joy to behold so I can only imagine the magnificence of the interior.

The final stop before lunch was at The Cathedral of the Resurrection known as The Church of Spilt Blood because it is built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded by a bomb thrown by a Polish dissident in 1881. When I first saw this Church I swear that my eyes popped out on stalks - it truely is incredible. It is topped by 9 of the familiarly shaped onion domes - each of which is a different size and pattern. I really can't do it justice in words so I will post a picture in the lockin - although probably not one of my pictures as even with the wide-angled lens I couldn't produce an image to do the building justice.

Those of you who have been following me around the Baltic will by now be wondering how I could possibly have gone so long without any mention of food. You need not concern yourself any longer as the next stop was at the Russian Club for a 3 course meal ( I had by now forgotten that meals come in any smaller size ) accompanied by a small band in national costume performing what I assume to be Russian folk songs and dances. A very pleasant experience.

The afternoon was spent visiting The Hermitage which is situated in The Wnter Palace and 3 adjoining buildings. There are over 3,000,000 exhibits in the Hermitage so just to spend one minute looking at each it would take over 5 years to complete a tour - I spent just over 3.5 hours there so I could only hope for a taster...and what a taster it was. From the splendour of the buildings and personal collections of Catherine the Great and other Russian rulers, to the magnificence of paintings by Reubens and Gaugin amongst others and numerous sculptures, carvings and jasper stonework it is mind blowing. It does have to be seen to be believed so anyone who gets the chance to visit should grab it with both hands. It is very busy though so be prepared for aching feet. I understand mid-Winter is less busy but as the outside temperature could be 20 below
you would have to be prepared to run from the hotel to a taxi and then from the taxi into The Hermitage but it would be worth it.

Well that's just about it for my first day in St Petersburg. No need to mention the delightful evening meal and post-prandial drinks back onboard ship. Best of all another day in Russia to look forward to tomorrow.

Hi Polly,

What a wonderful adventure you have had! I can't wait to read more!

I do hope you're OK and are not too depressed because you have now had to return home!

VBW, as always,

TWxx

Hi there TW - didn't know you were around in here!

I gather from your comments in ML that you're pretty busy at the moment, but have you thought of writing a journal yourself?