So I am 4 days in and loving Russia! St Petersburg is a really lovely place. Shabby yet chic I would say!
My legs are killing me from 3 days of hard core sight seeing, so much too see, so little time! A little run down of what I have been up to so far:
A five hour walk of the Hermitage... now starts the history lesson... commissioned in 1754 by Elizabeth I (Peter the Greats daughter)and finished in 1762! It is huge, and I mean huge, a green building with gold gilding, really beautiful. Then inside is even more impressive with huge ornate staircases, beautiful ceilings and it is full of some of the most famous works of art, from Van Gough to Picasso. I could have spent a week in there just taking it all in.
Outside the Hermitage is a huge square with the Alexander Column and the General Staff Building which is also fab. There was a big stage being set up on Thursday which looked like it was for the Olympics... Well it was!! And today I saw the Olympic flame come through St Petersburg which was an unexpected treat! Followed by the worst boy band that ever tread the earths surface... I'm not joking there was air guitar and everything!! Good fun though, I have to admit my toes were tapping slightly to the tunes.
I have also been to the Peter and Paul Fortress that Peter the Great Built to protect the Neva River that runs through St Pete, it is very impressive. I stroked the finger of St Peters statue... its meant to bring you luck!! The River Neva looked beautiful on Friday with ice and snow drifting down it and the sun shining in the background. It has not snowed here and it has been quite cold, but the sun has been shining again today and, don't laugh but I think I have burnt my cheeks a little... I know, unbelievable!!
Today I have been to St Isaacs Cathedral, one of the biggest in the World. Trekked up to the top, which about killed me but the views were worth it. I also went to the Church on Spilled blood, where Tsar Alexander II was fatal wounded in 1881 by an assassination attempt. Outside it looks like a typical Russian building and inside the mosaics cover an impressive 7000 sq metres.
So a real action packed couple of days, and now I am ready to get the train to Moscow tomorrow! Some great pictures but no way to attach them at the minute, sorry!
Disappointingly there has been a distinct lack of vodka drank... this must be rectified soon!!
Speak to you soon...Maybe, never know with me!!