Category: Travel – Cruise

Both Kevin and I had a shocking nights sleep – neither of us got to sleep until well past 12.30am and we were awake again around 6.30am. At 7.30am we got up and dressed and had breakfast in the dining room. Today I decided to have pancakes (I only ate one) and some fresh fruit.

The girls went to kids club and Kevin & I headed off on todays tour to the West Coast. We had planned to do the city tour but a few days ago decided we’d seen enough cities and churches and so changed tours. This was a great tour – but rather rushed (and we’ve no idea why). We drove through some beautiful countryside (even with some light drizzle). We had a couple of stops and a fast walk around one of the fishing villages.

And we even saw a Goldie as we walked around the town. The town was so gorgeous but it was weird walking right by peoples windows (and trying not to look in – mind you I look a photo every other minute :-)). I loved how everyone had either flowers or nautical ornaments on their deep window sills – it was just so cute.

At our last stop (which was 20mins long) we grabbed a cup of tea (coffee for Kevin) and some carrot cake as we were rather hungry and we realized there was no lunch stop until we were back on board around 2.30pm.

We drove back through more lovely countryside.

Once back on board we had lunch at Windjammers.

We then collected our laptops and for the first time since leaving Harwich I got online to check e-mail (where we found out Amy has been accepted into the Selective High School for next year), update facebook and my blog. I haven’t missed it too much but I feel like I’ve bee out of touch for a LONG time.

We went back to the room only to discover Kevin’s room card wasn’t working (and mine was in the cabin) so we went to guest services to get a new one, then up to Windjammers for some tea. I updated todays diary.
Then it was back to the room until it was time to get ready for dinner. Tonight the girls at a Pajama Party at kids club and Christy wanted to wear her PJs to dinner.

Of course, then Anna and Alyssa had to get to changed into theirs when they saw her.

Dinner… The cauliflower fritters weren’t vey nice but desert made up for it :-).

We both ended up being awake very late so just before 12am Kevin went up on deck to get some photos of us passing under this bridge.

A rather lazy day at sea. A leisurely breakfast in the dining room, followed by some shopping.

I then took Christy to the pool for a slide and play.

Then it was time for lunch.

We then went to the movie theatre and watched “This Is It” which was enjoyable (but sad in a way).

After that we got some tea and went back to the room to read for an hour before we had our appointment with the future cruise consultant. We booked a cruise to Alaska to celebrate our 40th birthdays next year.

Christy came back from club looking like Harry Potter.

Then it was time to get ready for dinner (again). Some times it feels like all we do is eat. Tonight was formal night. I had a delicious Asparagus soup, followed by a salad and mushroom pastry thing (which I ate about half of). No desert tonight as I was too full.

I had wanted to go to the show tonight but Kevin has a sore throat. I wasn’t too worried though as I’m reading a good book. Can’t believe we’ve only got two day left (of the cruise). It was beautiful and calm today at sea.

*** For the first time Christy was allowed to sign herself out of kids club. When she wasn’t back at the expected we called and found out she’d left 5-8mins earlier. It’s only a 2min walk max. so Kevin went in search of her – only to find out outside kids club in the game arcade trying to put money on her cruise card so she could play games – talk about busted!!!

Kevin woke me up at 6.30am. Reluctantly I got up, showered and dressed. We then woke the girls up to them ready and headed up to breakfast at Windjammers.  After we’d eaten and I’d had my daily chocolate donut (I’m not a big donut lover normally but these are delicious).

The girls went to kids club and Kevin & I went to meet our tour group. Our bus trip took us to where the big song festival is held every 5 years. There are 30,000 performer and 300,000 spectators – not sure where they all fit.

We drove around for a bit.

We then headed to the old town – exploring the Upper town and 2 more churches – including the 2nd oldest church in the world.

Then we walked down the hill to the Lower town. This was just gorgeous. Lovely old buildings around a big open square.

We had a bit of time to wander around and do some shopping – I bought some handmade cushion covers and a hippo apron for Christy. Earlier in the day I had bought a Matuska doll for myself so I did well today. We then visited a 3rd church for a short concert of Medieval music. This was much better than we’d expected. The singing had an amazing voice.

Then it was time for lunch, which was wonderful. We ate in a lovely resturaunt which overlooked the square. The table was beautifully set and served and absolutely delicious. We enjoyed people watching while we ate.

 

Even the bathroom here was unique – it was in a converted fireplace.

After a leisurely lunch we boarded the bus and headed back to the ship. The Disney Magic had arrived since this morning and was docked next to us.

We rang kids club to let the girls know we were back on board and then took them for a swim in the Solarium Pool. We had a swim and spa and then enjoyed a slice of pizza.

Then it was time to go back to our room and get ready for dinner. First up I had a very yummy Mushroom Soup. Then Amy announced she didn’t feel well and wanted to go back to the room. After finishing my soup I went back to check on her. While there are room attendent came to make up the girls bed. Once she was settled I headed back to finish my dinner. Unfortunately the tofu wasn’t that good but I ate my veggies. And desert – Banana Cream Pie – more than made up for it.

We finished up dinner early tonight and went back to our cabin. Amy had vomitted but was now feeling a bit better. I think an early night (plus an extra hours sleep due to time changes) will be good for all of us. And tomorrow is a sea day so now early start to the day.

Yes, I know we didn’t actually leave but we still have to pas through customs and be officially stamped in and out of the country.

Unfortunately I woke at 8am and had to get up and get moving. I so wanted to sleep some this morning. Finally everyone was showered and dressed and we had a very speedy breakfast at Windjammers. We picked up some peanut butter for Oksana who had mentioned she likes it but it’s very expensive and hard to get in Russia.

We had a bit of a tour around St. Petersburg first up – having a scare at on the stops when we couldn’t find Christy (Oksana found her climbing on a brick wall).

Our first main stop was Peter and Paul Fortress,  in particular the Cathedral where most of the Tzars are buried. There is also a memorial to the last Romanovs – who were all murdered.

Kevin and I had a funny photo taken – only to realize afterwards we had to pay for it!

We then had lunch at a  local fast food place – no, not burgers – but Russian pancakes. Lucky we had Oksana with us as the menu was in Russian. I had a pancake with mushrooms and cheese and boy was it delicious.

Next we headed to the Hermitage Museum  (at the Winter Palace) – which houses one of the worlds greatest art collections.

It was very busy here and we had a whirlwind tour seeing just the highlights. We were especially excited to see originals by Michelangelo, Leonado Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Picaso.

Not only was the art amazing but so was the building (well, it was a palace). I loved how in EVERY building you needed to look up to really see everything.

We then went on our private cruise – which really was private – we were the only ones on the boat which would have accommodated 100!! It had just started raining while we were onboard so we sat inside but by the time we departed 30mins later the sun was back out again. We enjoyed seeing the town from the water – you can appreciate the architecture that much more when it’s not behind cars and buses.

Then it was time to visit St. Issacs Cathedral. Another busy place and though beautiful, probably our least favourite.

Our last stop was the Church of the Spilt Blood (built on the murder sight of one of the Tzars). This was quite amazing. The locals call it the Disneyland Church. Inside it is lined with mosiacs – most of which were damaged and neglected during WWII and the cold war. Apparently it took 10 years to complete the building and 30 years to repair it.

A brief stop at another souvenier shop then it was back to the ship and time to say goodbye to Oksana and our driver (who’s name I can’t pronouce or spell). We had such a wonderful two days with them and we all fell in love with Russia and would love to stay longer. The tour with Anatasia’s Tour was fantastic and I’m so glad we opted to do a private tour (it actually worked out cheaper and was far better). The girls loved it too – we saw a lot but there was a good variety and Oksana was great at getting the girls involved.

We were back onboard around 5pm so I uploaded some photos and at 6pm we headed to dinner. Just as the rain was coming in.

Nothing much appealed on the menu tonight so I ended up having 2 dinner rolls and some veggies off Amy’s and Christy’s plate. Desert made up for it though – a delicious Kahlua Creme Brulle!

The girls went off to kids club and Kevin & I headed to our room – where I sorted out some washing and typed up both days of our Russian experience. It’s been just amazing and we’re really rather sad to be leaving.