Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Huw's Bit
Spent 2 hrs+ in The Hermitage first thing - wow! Amazing collection but you need at least a week in there!
Russian sub and battle ships on the river with crew on deck in full dress uniform, music playing and whistles going - engines on - all very exciting - its a national holiday tmorrow: Navy Day.
Found an adapter for my Mac - yeay - back in business!
Highlight of day though was the ballet! Yes, correct I said the ballet - it was outstanding! Always understood them as wonderful athletes but never sure that men in tights would be for me! How wrong - it was absolutely wonderful. Probably helped by the fact we saw the Kirov Ballet, known as the Mariinsky since 1992, who are, by local opinion anyway, the number one company in Russia - especially as the Bolshoi are having numerous scandals - see how much I've learnt about ballet already!
Christine's bit
Yesterday was a day of walking. We had thought the best way to see the sights may be on the red bus, get on ,get off like London. But no need everything in walking distance. I had checked out the Hermitage yesterday re these long queues we had heard about and how to buy a ticket and all seemed OK.
So off to the Hermitage today (groan from Huw). Got there early and purchased a ticket from a machine, went to the front of the queue and in. Long line of people waiting to buy a ticket - they didn't know that they could buy them from the machine a few metres away!
Hermitage is too overwhelming to put into words but the sheer number of amazing exhibits and the opulence of the Winter Palace is something one will not forget. The highlight for me was the large number of Western art works from Matisse through to the Impressionists, Fauves, Nabis, Gauguin, and Picasso . Absolutely brilliant.
Then the second highlight for the day - the ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre - Le Corsaire. Beautiful theatre, outstanding dancers and production. Walked there and back to the hotel after it had finished at 10.30 pm as still light.
In all, a great day! Happy girl!!
- comments
Steve Dumican Great to see you enjoying your adventure