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

[scubacruiserx2]

Nice, I wonder what happens in the red room.;)

Looks like the camera battery chargers plug straight into your adaptor/convertor.

 

The room is blushing at the thought ! :o It's a nice device for cruises and traveling , 2 - 110 v outlets in front and 2 - USB ports on top .

 

 

Next up: A visit to the Hermitage

Edited November 17, 2015 by scubacruiserx2

[MicCanberra]

The Hermitage is wonderful for both it's art and it's architecture.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

The Hermitage is wonderful for both it's art and it's architecture.:D

 

It was also rated as the # 2 thing to do in St. Petersburg by Tripadvisor :

 

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298507-d300071-Reviews-State_Hermitage_Museum_and_Winter_Palace-St_Petersburg_Northwestern_District.html

 

 

On our last visit there in May , we went without a guide :eek:

[upwarduk]

Although I haven't been commenting I have followed all your of your visit to Moscow.

 

I look forward to your photos, of exhibitions that we may not have seen in August, in the Hermitage.

[scubacruiserx2]

Although I haven't been commenting I have followed all your of your visit to Moscow.

 

I look forward to your photos, of exhibitions that we may not have seen in August, in the Hermitage.

 

Super , there's a lot to see there ! :cool:

[scubacruiserx2]

We began our DIY trip to the Hermitage by purchasing a 2 day pass online which costs $23 each . We exchanged our printed receipt , for a ticket , at the museum . We also studied the museum plan which we had picked up there , on a previous trip .

 

 

 

1st Floor

 

 

2nd Floor

 

 

And 3rd Floor

 

 

 

 

We took the metro 1 stop from our apartment to the Admiralteyskaya station , the one closest to Palace Square .

 

 

 

 

 

It's a new station , opened in December , 2011 .

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralteyskaya_(Saint_Petersburg_Metro)

 

 

Peter the Great mosaic .

 

Edited November 18, 2015 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

This direction is the way out

 

 

 

 

And another mosaic

 

 

 

 

Entering Palace Square from beneath the General Staff Building's arch

 

 

 

 

The Winter Palace

 

 

 

Palace Square

 

 

 

The General Staff Building and arch

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Great weather, looking forward to getting back inside the hermitage though.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

Great weather, looking forward to getting back inside the hermitage though.:D

 

The last 4 and the next 2 photos ( with the crowd at Palace Square ) are from a previous visit to Palace Square . The last 4 from the next group and and beyond are from the second visit to PS - our visit inside the Hermitage . :) :D

[scubacruiserx2]

The bronze Victory statue on the General Staff Building

 

 

 

 

A view of the Hermitage across the river Neva , from the Peter and Paul Fortress .

 

 

 

We choose to visit on a day with no cruise ships in port , thus Palace Square was empty .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was still closed when we got there . We entered through the left gate .

 

 

 

 

Then we found a small Kacca ( ticket office ) on the left , before the courtyard and exchanged our computer receipt for a ticket . We bypassed the small line at the door , who were waiting outside , while their guide purchased tickets inside .

 

 

 

And then , we were in !

[MicCanberra]

A good guide is essential when touring, St Petersburg has some of the best guides I have ever had. One of the ones we had was an ex jet pilot/ engineer and teacher before doing guide work. She was very knowledgeable, had excellent English and several other languages, had travelled a lot so knew the world and was only around mid to late 30s. :D

PS she was attractive as well.;)

[scubacruiserx2]

A good guide is essential when touring, St Petersburg has some of the best guides I have ever had. One of the ones we had was an ex jet pilot/ engineer and teacher before doing guide work. She was very knowledgeable, had excellent English and several other languages, had travelled a lot so knew the world and was only around mid to late 30s. :D

PS she was attractive as well.;)

 

Especially in the Hermitage , because there is so much to see and it's so large ! Would you mind sharing your guide's name and contact info ? We booked a Baltic cruise on the Eclipse in June next year ( 3 days ! ) with our grandson and we like to use guides for certain stops , like the Hermitage . :cool:

[MicCanberra]

Especially in the Hermitage , because there is so much to see and it's so large ! Would you mind sharing your guide's name and contact info ? We booked a Baltic cruise on the Eclipse in June next year ( 3 days ! ) with our grandson and we like to use guides for certain stops , like the Hermitage . :cool:

 

Sorry, but it was actually through the Ship's tour (NCL), her name was Anna and she free lanced to the various companies that the cruise lines used but also to SPB tours.

[scubacruiserx2]

Sorry, but it was actually through the Ship's tour (NCL), her name was Anna and she free lanced to the various companies that the cruise lines used but also to SPB tours.

 

Thanks Mic , we found out this trip that most guides are independent contractors , like the ship's doctors and nurses .

[scubacruiserx2]

The Hermitage consists of four buildings bridged together . The Winter Palace , the largest , where we entered , the small Hermitage , the Large Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre .

 

http://www.saint-petersburg.com/museums/hermitage-museum/

 

After entering the building you first go to the coat check room ( remove your valuables ) . You may want a bathroom break before the long tour . The tour usually begins at the State Staircase ( Also called the Jordan Staircase ) .

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Staircase_of_the_Winter_Palace

 

 

It leads from the first floor to the main viewing floor of the Winter Palace .

 

 

 

 

The previous photo is 2 photos together . The next is the painting on the ceiling .

 

 

 

Beautiful marble and wife .

 

 

 

We then entered the large State Rooms . First the Field Marshal's Hall .

 

 

 

 

Followed by Peter's Throne Room , which is a bit of a joke since Peter died over a hundred years before it was designed .

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the floor , simply amazing !

[MicCanberra]

Just so magnificent.:D

[perfect match]

Still here and enjoying my virtual tour. I keep thinking you will run out of amazing buildings to show us in Russia, but they just keep coming!

 

Hope Pat's recovery is going well.

[upwarduk]

Sorry, but it was actually through the Ship's tour (NCL), her name was Anna and she free lanced to the various companies that the cruise lines used but also to SPB tours.

 

Our guide was Luba from SPB tours, she also trained the guides during the winter( tourist season May - Sept)

I cannot speak highly enough of her, we also had an excellent commentary from Alexander on the canal boat ride. He is an English teacher out of season.

[scubacruiserx2]

Just so magnificent.:D

 

Yeah , another Rastrelli creation , my favorite architect .

 

 

Still here and enjoying my virtual tour. I keep thinking you will run out of amazing buildings to show us in Russia, but they just keep coming!

 

Hope Pat's recovery is going well.

 

 

Great Nancy . As long as Rastrelli keeps building them , I'll keep photographing them ! ;) He also designed , Catherine's Palace , Peterhof and the Smolny Cathedral !

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Bartolomeo_Rastrelli

 

 

Pat is rid of her walker and using a cane , and the hole in he side continues to heal daily . Her sister is visiting from Michigan this week to help out . :) :D

[scubacruiserx2]

Our guide was Luba from SPB tours, she also trained the guides during the winter( tourist season May - Sept)

I cannot speak highly enough of her, we also had an excellent commentary from Alexander on the canal boat ride. He is an English teacher out of season.

 

Thanks for the recommendation Jackie . It seems like there is no shortage of excellent guides in SPB ! :cool:

[MicCanberra]

Great news about Pat, hopefully she will be fully recovered very soon.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

We next moved into some really large rooms . Room # 195 - The Armorial Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Room # 198 - The Hall of St. George , aka the Main Throne Room

 

 

 

 

And at 800 square meters , very impressive !

 

 

 

Another stitch to capture the ceiling and floor

 

 

 

I'm not saying that this has been a long thread but - didn't we have dark hair when this began ?

 

 

 

Photo from 2009 .

[scubacruiserx2]

After leaving the St. George Hall we headed toward the Pavilion Hall in the Small Hermitage , pausing to look at this beautiful stained glass hanging in a window .

 

 

 

 

Pavilion Hall is most noted for the Peacock Clock , by British inventor and jeweler , James Cox .

 

 

 

 

 

It is an automaton that springs to life when wound up . Please see the video :

 

 

 

The room also has some beautiful tables .

 

[MicCanberra]

Lol, my hair may have been grey already but now it is white.:p

 

I am enjoying it greatly though. Fantastic pictures, love the stitching.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

Lol, my hair may have been grey already but now it is white.:p

 

I am enjoying it greatly though. Fantastic pictures, love the stitching.:D

 

Love it , enjoy it while you got it !! :) And an inaugural too , it looks fantastic , have an amazing time !! :) :D