This stop afforded us three experiences, altho as busy as we are I think this is the one opportunity I would have forsaken to have had more time in a few of the other 'ports.' It was interesting enough but some of the other places would have been of more interest, to me, to have been able to explore more thoroughly (interpretation of explore means shop for those of you not as intimately familiar with my travel preferences.) We started at a Viking hall, with a la...

Today I was a slug. It was 9:30 am when Mama threw open the drapes to let in the morning sun. Luckily we hadn't signed up for the morning trip to the Peterhof, so she headed up for some yogurt and pastries and I snoozed a little longer. Finally ready to join her in the Library, I lost her. She must have walked down the starboard hall and I the port side because she wasn't to be seen in the Brary when I got there. I trooped on to the computer space with I the br...

Mandrogi was burned to the ground in the second world war, and has been restored since. It's totally an artist village where all 150 inhabitants craft items for sale in the village. One nice thing is that everything sold there is handcrafted on site. No cheap made in third world country stuff that seems to flood the souvenir fairs lining the large monuments on St. Petersburg. The architecture reminded me of Switzerland or Bavaria. And they has some charming h...

Up by 7:00 and joined Mama in the Panorama Bar at the prow of the boat for tea and conversation with Michael, a waiter from Panama. He's cruised for six years on a Japanese ocean liner and this has been his first - and last - contract on a river cruise. There is a substantial difference between the two types of cruises. As a passenger, one must be able to self-entertain as there are limited diversions aboard ship. One restaurant, one or two bars, three glass cas...

It's 1:00 am here time which means it's 5:00 pm at home. Quitting time for most of you lovely people! I have to wait til I'm back in the states to add pix from the Kirov Ballet. Took my cell phone in my little bag instead of hauling the iPad. The theater is tiny - only six rows or pews in a half circle around the stage. At one time there were 18 swans dancing with Zigfried the crown prince and the White Swan all on stage at the same time and I was certain they'd...