The Ouseys in Victoria Page

The Second day in St. Petersburg we went to Catherine's Palace and
also to the Church of the spilled Blood, not to mention several other
stops. I have never seen so much gold anywhere except when we were in
St. Petersburg last time. Gold domes, gold statues, gold works inside
the palace rooms. And it all uses real gold in some form or another.
Gold plate to be sure but gold none-the-less. Everyone was thoroughly
impressed with the tour, the tour company and our Guide, Svetlana, and
driver, Vladamir.

The following day we had a stop in Tallin Estonia, and most of us went
into town and wandered about the old city. It just so happened that
there was a festival on and there were many street performers and open
air stage plays. Mike, Gail, Carolyn and I stopped for lunch, and
what do we have... Pizza.

That same night we, all 10 of us, went to one of the specialty
restaurants called the Tuscan. They have a special menu and service
and it was most excellent and we again celebrated our anniversaries.
There were a total of 229 married years there in 5 couples. Two 50's,
one 47, one 42, and one 40. Like Wow.

Yesterday we were supposed to dock in Stockholm, but due to wind and
weather the port was closed so the ship had to dock at a nearby port,
45 minutes away from Stockholm. It was a massive reorganization on
the ships part and they pulled it off in a professional manner. They
had to tender everyone in and rearranged the buses, and all
prearranged tours went as scheduled. Some of us hadn't booked a tour,
so we just went into town at the local village. It was a pretty and
clean little town and we had a good walk. We then sat up on the Lawn
Club deck, in the sun away from the wind and it was so pleasant. Yes
this deck has actuall lawn. Used for putting, Bocce Ball, Croquet,
etc. Unique!

Today is a sea day, following a wonderful Brunch, Carolyn and I just
went to a lecture on the Aurora Borealis, by a professor from
Vancouver. It was most enjoyable.

Tomorrow Copenhagen, followed by 2 sea days, and then back into Southampton.

More later. TTFN
Ciao & Peace.

Most of us went into Rostock by shuttle and wandered around town, taking in the sites, eating delicious baked goods (like we don't get enough food on the ship) and some shopping, mainly for shoes. I got a pair of Birkies, at least half of the price I would pay at home. So did several others. The next day was a sea day and Mike surprised us by organizing a Happy Anniversary celebration at our table, for 3 couples, one couple at 40 years and two couples including Carolyn and I at 50 Years married. We had the staff bring chocolate cake with candles and they sang to us featuring one of the waiters with a beautiful baritone voice.

The following day we were in Helsinki and that day too, was mainly a walk into town and doing some site seeing and shopping the quaint flea market shops.

Today we were up at the crack of dawn to head into St Petersburg with our Red October tour guides. 10 of us in our own minivan with driver Validamir and Guide Sventlana. Both did a marvelous job and we go out with them again tomorrow. They sure know how to by-pass the lineups and get us into the museums quickly. We spent a good amount of time at the Hermitage and then after lunch at the Peterhof palaces. In between were short stops here and there along for photos; with a continuous, informative and humourous spiel from Sventlana. She is very good and knowledgeable.

We got back in time for supper after which most of us, too pooped to do anything else, retired for the evening. Another big day tomorrow with Red October.

I took so many pictures that I depleted my battery, that's a first. Pictures will have to wait for our return.

TTFN. Ciao & Peace.

Trip started out well with a flight that went on time and we and our
baggage arrived together. We actually had an enjoyable Air Canada
Flight. We were met by our driver who promptly drove us out to our
Hotel in Southampton. Turns out the hotel was a little more out of
town than we expected but none the less we headed into town, did some
site seeing and followed our noses to a local fish and chip shop for
some of the local fare. The second day at the hotel, Mike, Gail,
Carolyn and I met up with the rest of our group, Pat & Ector; Dennis
and Kathy; and Debbie & Ewen. All tired as we were from long trips
over, but glad we were all together to meet each other before
boarding.

Boarding our ship was so quick and painless that once we were
completely on board we realized that from the hotel (a 13 pound drive
to the ship) to sitting in the restaurant on board took only 35
minutes. Amazing.

The ship (the Eclipse) is gorgeous, only one year old, it still had
that new smell about it. Nearly 3000 passengers and you don't feel
crowded at all. Staff, meals and entertainment all excellent, so far
at least. The highlight entertainment wise has been an a cappella
group whom have been shown to great advantage around the ship.

Our first stop was Bruges, Belgium. We had booked a tour of the city
which went very well. Carolyn and I had been there before, but didn't
remember too much as we were mostly in a different part of the city,
at least that's what we will blame it on. Very nice and quaint with
lots of unique architecture, most from times long past and many
cultures.

Following this we had a day at sea, where we really had our first
chance to take in most of this large vessel. Some used the Gym others
wandered around amazed at the structure of the central column,
featuring 8 glass elevators open in the back to the central atrium
that ran from the 2nd deck to the glass atrium above the 15th deck. A
large real tree grew from a massive globe suspended by arms in the
middle of this and can be seen from all levels. Stunning. Picture
take to download on this satellite connection so will have to wait my
return.

And that is all for now. We have been to Rostock too and tomorrow we
will be in Helsinki, but that will wait for another blog.

TTFN & Peace.

Carolyn and I had a nice lunch of Pizza (her favourite) with Mom today. She was in good spirits as you can see in the photo.