Day Seventy One Wednesday 28th September

The day started in a downbeat manner. The disembarkation process was slow, but not too bad, the officials at Passport Control severe and a bit intimidating. We were lucky to get the last two places on the Shuttle Mini-Bus. The Driver was scary, the area around the ferry terminal was not the prettiest, and the 30 minute drive weaving through rush hour traffic without seat belts not the most relaxing.but we were delivered safely to the centre, just by St Isaac's Cathedral (closed on Wednesdays!). It took us a while to get our bearings,but we set off in the direction of the Hermitage Museum, although it was only 9.45 and it didn't open until 10.30.

Far too much has been written about the wonder of St Petersburg for me to try and do it justice describing it here. But I will say that the only word to sum up my first impression is 'overwhelming', Noise, crowds, busyness, sheer size of everything. When we finally found the correct entrance to the Hermitage the queues were building up. We queued to get inside, only to join a slow-moving queue for tickets, and then another to go through security! Here I was pretty miffed when Geoff's bag with a bottle of tap water from the cabin inside it passed through ok, and my paid for and unopened bottle of mineral water was confiscated! I was so taken by surprise that I didn't even think to drink some before I gave it up.

By this time it was getting on for 11.30, We found a quiet corner to hide in and make use of 15 minutes free wifi, and then, having regained my equilibrium somewhat, we braved the masses and made our way up the marble staircase. Apparently it would take 11 years to see all the exhibits, and we only had a couple of hours, so we agreed that we would seek out Lonely Planet's "don't miss" list , and just do our best to absorb the other staggering rooms as we passed through them on our way. So we made our way to the dazzling Church via the equally dazzling Peacock Clock and the Rembrandts. I had forgotten that his "Return of the Prodigal Son" was here. A definite highlight! Henri Nouwen's book inspired by the painting is one I love and return to. I was touched when Geoff later surprised me by appearing from one of the museum shops having purchased a postcard of it for me.

We wanted to see the Impressionist and Post -Impressionist Collection, which has recently been moved to the General Staff Building on the other side of Palace Square.. What a contrast, Inside, the building has been transformed into a stunning, ultra-modern gallery, with huge neutral spaces and rooms - and it was almost empty of people, quiet and calm. First, we had a much needed coffee break on the gallery cafe. The excellent coffee and a very tasty but filling Apricot Danish each, plus a bottle of water to replace my lost one, total cost less than £6, were enough to keep us going until we returned to the ship The rest of the day was spent walking, taking in the main street, Nevsky Prospekt, the Church on the Spilled Blood - again closed on Wednesdays but extraordinary from the outside - canals, squares and parks, back to where we had started six hours earlier, to pick up the Shuttle Bus back to the ship.
A grey day had not managed to spoil the colours and magnificence of the city.

In the minibus and later over coffee back on board we enjoyed chatting to a teacher from Stockholm. She had done the trip that utilises the full 72 hours visa free.

A simple supper in the Italian Restaurant proved just what was needed,, and we then spent our remaining Roubles in the Duty Free shop. The ship really feels quite empty tonight, and I am hoping for as calm and quiet a crossing as last night's.