It was much better today. I just put on two of everything. No problem.

Today I visited Vasilyevsky island. It’s just across the water, a quick 30 minute jaunt. It’s got a fortress, bunch of museums, restaurants, etc. I was mainly interested in the cathedral inside the fortress. It’s where the rulers of Russia were buried for 200 years. This all stopped with the revolution of course. The city and cathedral took heavy damage during the siege in ww2. The rebuilding continues today. Neat neat neat place.

I didn’t need to see the rest of the fortress, too nice of a morning to spend looking at military stuff. 

The state Russian art museum has all the Russian artists, like the Hermitage has European art. This is a great museum. So much more enjoyable. You actually get to see all of it in just a few hours and it’s not heaving with people. There were some fantastic painters in the 1900’s. No Soviet era art…maybe that’s in Moscow? Anyhoo, great getting to know some new names.

After an adequate but forgettable hamburger, I visited the Faberge museum. I’d always dreamed of seeing those eggs, you know? Totally cool. The workmanship is unbelievable. The pictures are inadequate. The museum has a YouTube channel that’s cool.

The museum is one single, private collection of a SUPER RICH RUSSIAN GUY. Let’s just say that his security guards are very intimidating. Well done rich dude.

I quizzed the guide who said that his main interest is in paintings. If he displays 13 personally owned Faberge eggs…..what is his art collection like???????? Blows the mind.

After that I had some snacks and souvenir purchases to make. Get ready to go on to Tallinn the day after tomorrow.

Would I come back here. Absolutely. You’d need 10 days to really see the area. This would involve a visa. So throw in 10 days in Moscow too why not?

Nice time here, worth the hassle and expense for sure!!

😁

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