Another early start and via the theatre to our waiting coach, but this time, no delay at passport control. They merely checked our passports to see if there was a stamp and we were through. Now what can’t really understand why it is that yesterday, we were issued with a departure card that they took back when we returned, but today, no departure card and just the passport check at the gate. Strange.
Our guide today was Inna, and not a patch on yesterday’s guide, though she was pleasant enough but with a much more pronounced accent – and thankfully, ales efficient sound system.
This was just a half day – or one third to be more precise – tour and there was nothing we hadn’t seen last time. Once again, street sellers, despite being surrounded by 100 or more coachloads of tourists, would only accept roubles. Whilst there is a strong argument for carrying local currency on a longer stop, two days of paid for tours and very limited opportunities to spend anyway, obtaining roubles wasn’t really justified. In many places, they’ll take your money regardless of currency, even if the exchange rate isn’t so good for the tourist, it is better than being lumbered with local currency that either has very little value anyway, or/and you lose on the exchange rate both ways.
It was another pleasant sunny day but the number of tourists was staggering. As it was a long weekend for locals, there were stages being set up in the square – or at least, one of the many squares. The Russian take on a portaloos for these concerts are coaches – 20 roubles entry. Clever, but not sure I’d want to be the driver. This city, unlike many others we are familiar with, has plenty of parks, squares and open spaces - and no buildings in the city higher than the Hermitage – so about 4 or 5 storeys. With a wide river and wide streets, this gives a wonderfully uncrowded city, even though there are, as said, thousands of tourists daily.
We were back at the dock 11:20 – ten minutes early and straight through passport control again. Phew.
As seems to be usual, a call at the International café and a chat to a nice couple from Derby, then on to the cabin.
Only Robert turned up for trivia - then we were joined by a couple from NZ and when he said his name wasn’t Robert (there are more Roberts and Bob’s on board than is usual), but his surname was Robertson, I clicked that I knew him, though he didn’t recognise me! He is the owner of an Auckland footwear company that I visited rather a long time ago, when writing footwear unit standards for NZQA.
We still didn’t win, though just two behind the winners.
We should have stayed out enjoying the sailaway as it looked quite interesting, but opted for a pre-dinner dance and we were a bit too late for that. Just one dance, as the band (Atomic) only played two numbers before they closed. I was very impressed with their sound, especially the lead guitarist.
Alan and Sheila were safely back from yesterday’s Moscow rail trip (though they too experienced computer crash problems when going out) and we enjoyed chatting over another excellent meal. Instead of the mushroom tartlet we enjoyed so much two or three nights ago, this time, the chosen entree was a chicken liver tartlet. Also excellent. Roast beef and Yorkshire pud followed another (small) entree (I was hungry) of pasta carbonara. Also very tasty. We have been more than happy with the dining room evening meals. We nattered on well past 10pm so we missed the violinist’s second show and it was still light when we turned in.
Not sure if the Canadian GP was shown or will be shown on TV, but we caught the results anyway on the sports news. Another win for Hamilton and the Senna trophy.
So that is the geographical turning point as we are now heading back west, with another stop tomorrow in one of my personal favourite ports, Helsinki, though the weather forecast doesn’t look too good. Only two more ports before we return to Southampton, then head out again for Norway. Four weeks today and we are home - and no doubt the weather won’t be too brilliant there either.
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