To enter Russia, you must obtain a Russian Visa, inviting you into the country.  Since we did not have enough time to obtain such paperwork and were on a Baltic Cruise via Princess Cruiselines, our visa requirement was waived. This was a relief, as in October 2005, I purchased tickets for us to fly to Moscow, reserved our hotel and had the most difficult time obtaining a visa...and having to cancel our trip. So disappointing....but this made up for it...a little.

Our first day into St. Petersburg was surreal.  I kept shaking my head trying to get myself to realize exactly where I was and to comprehend all of the history and hardship that had taken place here. We began early Sunday morning by taking a bus ride into the heart of St. Petersburg, stopping about 30 minutes later to hop on a river boat that took us through the Neva River and Fontanka River, all around St. Petersburg.  If you ever get to St. Petersburg, I strongly suggest a river tour.  It seems to be the best way to see much of what St. Petersburg offers and you get to enjoy Russian Sparkling Wine! Aaahh..the life!  While on our river tour, we saw the Church of the Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum, Admiralty, Rostral Columns, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Aurora Cruiser and much, much more.  Several hours later, we exited our boat in a semi-drunk state (from the bubbly and the surrealism) and headed to the Hermitage Museum, where we toured for about 2 1/2 hours.  Fortunately, the museum opens early ONLY for tour groups and this allowed us to meander about without crowds.  Now, when the doors opened to the public at 11am, we soon fully understood exactly HOW fortunate we were.  An Irish pub on St. Patrick's day was less crowded and this place takes up two blocks squared. 

 

We then headed out for a Russian lunch at a Taleon, consisting of red caviar, fresh salmon, fish blini crepe with a light cheese sauce, a regional berry torte and of course, some Russian bubbly and vodka to wash it all down with.  Feeling fine!  After this, we headed to the Church of Spilled Blood, where we toured the interior and exterior, took some time to visit the local market of nesting dolls and Russian crafts, then made our last stop at the Yusupov Palace, home of the ultra-wealthy Yusupov family (who happened to have more wealth than the royal family) and location of the murder of Rasputin.  We returned to the ship around 6pm, changed into our dining clothes, ate another Russian meal and then off to bed to spend one more day in St. Petersburg!!

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