2013 European Adventure June -July
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Tuesday 18 June 2013
Well we have just set sail from Helsinki bound for Stockholm.
What a busy but exciting couple of days.
Firstly yesterday was our second day in St Petersburg.
St Petersburg continued to amaze, yet despite all the beauty and history, I think we were getting Palace and Church overload. We started Monday with a visit to a really lovely Russian Orthodox Church. We were fortunate there was a service in progress and some music rehearsal. Russian male singers have a beautiful melodic qualit. All sung acapella. The church had a great sese of peaceful worship. Our guide Olga had a strong involvement with the Orthodox Churc and was a gret insight into the religious life of Russians. She saw great resurgence of the church following the soviet era of oppression of churches.
We then went for a canal cruise around St Petersburg. St Petersburg has over 60 rivers and canals, 500 bridges.
It was very enjoyable seeing St Petersburg from the canels etc.
After a Metro experience (underground subway) wewent to Catherines Palace. This was an amazing place.
The palce unfortunately was severely damaged by the Nazis during WWII, however the restoration has been remarkable, and gives a great idea of the excesses of the Czars and the opulent lifestyle they lived.
We stopped for a great lunch of traditional Russian food- some had strogonoff, cabbage soup, etc.,
After lunch we stopped at another Palace, this one a private palce of a wealthy family, and the place of assination of Rasputin ( Google Rasputin to find out his place in the intrigues of Russian history)
Another church (St Isaacs Cathedral) - which was so impressive, then back to the ship, for a late Dinner, Cabaret Show, and partying?? Until midnight!!!
Helsinki was a bit of a quieter day. A relatively short day-went ashore about 8:30, tram into the centre of city, visited Helsinki Cathedral, a walk around Market square and Esplanade park, before boarding a bus tour which travelled around Helsinki providing a good commentry.
We visited the Church in the Rock- a massive church which was blasted into a great block of granite. Truely awe inspiring.
A final trip to the 1952 Olympic stadium and theobservationtower, then back via a trams to the boat, afternoon drinks on the bow and watching the ship sail out of Helsinki.
The challenge will be to condense the photos - I will upload ASAP- keep checking.
Update 19th June
Just docked in Stockholm. Have an hour before we take of on a day tour. Really beautiful this morning as we glided past all little islands withsummer houses and boat houses. Then as we got closer to Stockholm the water front houses were beautiful. We sailed really close to the shore in places.
More updates when we get back on board.
We have two more nights on the ship. Tomorrow will be a nice relaxing cruising day as we make our way back to Copenhagen.
Well we have just set sail from Helsinki bound for Stockholm.
What a busy but exciting couple of days.
Firstly yesterday was our second day in St Petersburg.
St Petersburg continued to amaze, yet despite all the beauty and history, I think we were getting Palace and Church overload. We started Monday with a visit to a really lovely Russian Orthodox Church. We were fortunate there was a service in progress and some music rehearsal. Russian male singers have a beautiful melodic qualit. All sung acapella. The church had a great sese of peaceful worship. Our guide Olga had a strong involvement with the Orthodox Churc and was a gret insight into the religious life of Russians. She saw great resurgence of the church following the soviet era of oppression of churches.
We then went for a canal cruise around St Petersburg. St Petersburg has over 60 rivers and canals, 500 bridges.
It was very enjoyable seeing St Petersburg from the canels etc.
After a Metro experience (underground subway) wewent to Catherines Palace. This was an amazing place.
The palce unfortunately was severely damaged by the Nazis during WWII, however the restoration has been remarkable, and gives a great idea of the excesses of the Czars and the opulent lifestyle they lived.
We stopped for a great lunch of traditional Russian food- some had strogonoff, cabbage soup, etc.,
After lunch we stopped at another Palace, this one a private palce of a wealthy family, and the place of assination of Rasputin ( Google Rasputin to find out his place in the intrigues of Russian history)
Another church (St Isaacs Cathedral) - which was so impressive, then back to the ship, for a late Dinner, Cabaret Show, and partying?? Until midnight!!!
Helsinki was a bit of a quieter day. A relatively short day-went ashore about 8:30, tram into the centre of city, visited Helsinki Cathedral, a walk around Market square and Esplanade park, before boarding a bus tour which travelled around Helsinki providing a good commentry.
We visited the Church in the Rock- a massive church which was blasted into a great block of granite. Truely awe inspiring.
A final trip to the 1952 Olympic stadium and theobservationtower, then back via a trams to the boat, afternoon drinks on the bow and watching the ship sail out of Helsinki.
The challenge will be to condense the photos - I will upload ASAP- keep checking.
Update 19th June
Just docked in Stockholm. Have an hour before we take of on a day tour. Really beautiful this morning as we glided past all little islands withsummer houses and boat houses. Then as we got closer to Stockholm the water front houses were beautiful. We sailed really close to the shore in places.
More updates when we get back on board.
We have two more nights on the ship. Tomorrow will be a nice relaxing cruising day as we make our way back to Copenhagen.
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