Total Eclipse : A pictorial review of the Tradewinds Transatlantic crossing 2015

cruise47 · August 15, 2015

Thanks for your so many beautiful pictures of Russian churches. I am praying that your spouse is doing and feeling much better.

scubacruiserx2 · August 15, 2015

Thanks for your so many beautiful pictures of Russian churches. I am praying that your spouse is doing and feeling much better.

Thanks a lot , we really do appreciate that ! We think that the Russian churches are the nicest that we've seen , but we haven't been to Italy yet . :) :D

bama4cruisin · August 15, 2015

Thanks a lot , we really do appreciate that ! We think that the Russian churches are the nicest that we've seen , but we haven't been to Italy yet . :) :D

Joe,

I am continuing to enjoy your review AND the photos. I hope Pat's surgery can take place early next week and wish for her a speedy recovery.

As for churches . . . The Sistine Chapel is indeed amazing; St. Peter's was closed the day we were there, because the Pope was having an audience in the Square which was amazing! We'll be checking out St. Mark's in Venice 2 weeks from today

If you are ever in Quebec City, you should visit St. Anne de Beaupre'. It is spectacular!

scubacruiserx2 · August 15, 2015

Joe,

I am continuing to enjoy your review AND the photos. I hope Pat's surgery can take place early next week and wish for her a speedy recovery.

As for churches . . . The Sistine Chapel is indeed amazing; St. Peter's was closed the day we were there, because the Pope was having an audience in the Square which was amazing! We'll be checking out St. Mark's in Venice 2 weeks from today

If you are ever in Quebec City, you should visit St. Anne de Beaupre'. It is spectacular!

Thanks Jennifer for the sentiment and tips on the churches . Have a great trip on the Connie - it sounds fantastic ! :) :D

scubacruiserx2 · August 15, 2015

Back at the apartment , Pat's ear had gotten worse overnight and we were concerned that we might be contagious , so we rescheduled with our friends and made an appointment for Pat with a doctor in St. Petersburg . Our plan was to get her better before Moscow the following week and go for a fun ride on a helicopter .

Pat had never flown on one until 2001 when we visited Hawaii . Flying on a tour is fun , but working on one is a different story .

They do have a great Air Rescue department where I used to work and they have saved many lives since it's inception in 1985 . But we were out for fun and photography in SPB . The Mil 8 helicopter there is configured for passenger use by Baltic Air , and offers flight on holidays and the weekends .

They fly from the Peter and Paul Fortress and you will need a passport . Sunday there was a family day with continued , fantastic weather .

There were a number of WW II vintage vehicles , and people dressed in period uniforms - including kids !

MicCanberra · August 16, 2015

They teach them young.

scubacruiserx2 · August 16, 2015

They teach them young.

Yes they do . Visiting St. Petersburg strangely reminded me of my childhood . My father dressed us in a military uniform at about the same age , a football uniform and a firefighter's uniform also . And guess what ? I played football in High School , served in the Navy and then had a career in the fire service ! So be careful of how you dress your kids , because they may never grow up ! :rolleyes:

Only a minority of the kids had uniforms , and it was a opportunity for photography . I'm reluctant to take photos of other people's children but children do present some of the best chances for candid and action shots . :) :D

MicCanberra · August 16, 2015

I have tried that tactic and dressed my son like a millionaire when he was young. Hope it pays off soon, I need more cruises.;)

scubacruiserx2 · August 16, 2015

After passing through the military area there was a stage playing infectious pop music with people dancing and having fun .

But the setting and mood is much better conveyed through these video clips :

We have our goal in sight

The helicopter draws people like a magnet

Here's one of those action shots . The little girl in the red was running around and sliding , and the camera speed froze one of those slides in action .

You can't ignore the engine start up of the helicopter . It still gives me goosebumps every time I hear ( and feel ) it !

scubacruiserx2 · August 16, 2015

I have tried that tactic and dressed my son like a millionaire when he was young. Hope it pays off soon, I need more cruises.;)

LOL , well something must be working with 9 cruises on the horizon !! :p

MicCanberra · August 16, 2015

LOL , well something must be working with 9 cruises on the horizon !! :p

Yeah, we are doing okay but we have to fund our own lifestyle (keep working) rather than living off a millionaire:cool:

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

The view from the helicopter:

The Smolny Institute is the yellow building . It is the governor's office and was the headquarters during the Bolshevik Revolution .

The Field of Mars and the Church on Spilled Blood

The blue church is the Smolny Cathedral

The Smolny Institute from the ground

The Smolny Cathedral from the ground

A couple of video clips from the helicopter flight :

MicCanberra · August 17, 2015

Great shots from the helicopter.:D

I often find that the window glass can cause some reflections.

Edited August 17, 2015 by MicCanberra

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

Great shots from the helicopter.:D
I often find that the window glass can cause some reflections.

The window was dirty as seen on the video , but stills did pretty good ( with the sun at our back ) . ;)

MicCanberra · August 17, 2015

The window was dirty as seen on the video , but stills did pretty good ( with the sun at our back ) . ;)

A great job none the less.:D

perfect match · August 17, 2015

I loved seeing the helicopter shots and video. I have never flown in one. Hopefully, we will find the budget one of these days, but it will have to be somewhere pretty spectacular. I'm hoping to get DH to agree to Alaska or maybe Hawaii soon. I think either of those destinations would merit a helicopter flight.

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

A great job none the less.:D

Thanks Mic ! :) :D

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

I loved seeing the helicopter shots and video. I have never flown in one. Hopefully, we will find the budget one of these days, but it will have to be somewhere pretty spectacular. I'm hoping to get DH to agree to Alaska or maybe Hawaii soon. I think either of those destinations would merit a helicopter flight.

Agreed , BOTH of those places are spectacular and would merit a helicopter flight ! Unfortunately , they are both expensive !! But we still think that it's worth it . The flight is exhilarating , but the ability to cover lots of ground and access inaccessible areas it it's greatest asset . Flying within feet of a vertical waterfall that falls hundreds of feet or thru the Waimea Grand Canyon or past the Na Pali coastline is something that needs to be experienced and not just seen ! But you can see it with videos like this one :

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

My DW is scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery this afternoon . If you pray , please keep us in your prayers . ;) Joe and Pat

Edited August 17, 2015 by scubacruiserx2

Grandmaanne7 · August 17, 2015

My DW is scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery this afternoon . If you pray , please keep us in your prayers . ;) Joe and Pat

I do and I will. God bless you both.

Thanks for this amazing review. It's the best I've ever seen!

chamima · August 17, 2015

My DW is scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery this afternoon . If you pray , please keep us in your prayers . ;) Joe and Pat

Will do, Joe.

Know that people all over the country (maybe the world) are thinking of both of you today and praying for a successful surgery and an easy, speedy recovery.

cruisincha · August 17, 2015

I've been following this trip report, and just wanted to say that you and Pat are in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Joe, take care of her first and don't worry about working on this report - I'm sure everyone will understand!!

Trish

Gracie115 · August 17, 2015

My DW is scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery this afternoon . If you pray , please keep us in your prayers . ;) Joe and Pat

I will and will pray that all goes well and also for a speedy recovery!

scubacruiserx2 · August 17, 2015

Thank you every one ! The surgery was completed successfully , and Pat's in recovery !! :) :D

Grandmaanne7 · August 17, 2015

Thank you every one ! The surgery was completed successfully , and Pat's in recovery !! :) :D

Great news!! Thanks for letting us all know. Get some rest. I'm sure you're exhausted with concern. :)

Total Eclipse : A pictorial review of the Tradewinds Transatlantic crossing 2015

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