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!!

😁

Hey, is summer over or something lol?

Had a nice bunch of coffee, then met with a tour group. Not much walking, but man could this gal talk! Haha I loved it of course. Gave her what was apparently a great tip, she had a big surprised look.

Had my first nice, sit-down lunch. Borscht and pierogi. Delicious. Also the server got a nice tip.

Spent until 9 pm at the Hermitage museum. Let’s just say….it’s big. My brain hurts lol.

A nice dinner and sleeeeeeeeep

We couldn’t get off the boat until 2 pm, in order to satisfy the 72 visa-free period. Borinnnggggg!

However, by 2:15 I was on a shuttle bus. Sweet. The hostel is a 5 minute walk from the drop off point. Super sweet.

And this hostel is amazing. Great kitchen and free coffee, movies, plenty of hot water, comfy beds.

Had a nice little walk around before dark. The core area is more compact than I imagined. I’ll get away without having to buy metro passes.

Looking forward to the Fabrege egg museum in the morning!

A few minutes more of Wi-Fi, and I’ll just say that I really enjoyed the Nordic countries. I was fortunate and had many sunny days!

It was expensive, yes, but worth it. I think my inherent cheapness served me well here. I still tried the local food and saw lots of culture-y stuff. 

Oslo was my favorite with its mix of regular folks and Viking legends, rain and sun. I’d come back in the winter to see the fjords in snow, and Norway’s beautiful mountains anytime. 

Tomorrow we’ll have crossed the Baltic sea and be looking at Russia!

So…dobryy vecher until then

💙💙💙💙