Ellerbe Road Adventures - 2006 Travels (Russia, Sweden, France)

Russia 2006 Journey Day Twenty
St. Petersburg, Russia
[02 August, 2006] The final day in St. Petersburg was full - early start to view Peter the Great's
summer palace on the Baltic Sea and then the afternoon to view Catherine the Great's ("Great" is a
popular last name) Winter Palace with the Hermitage collection.

The boat ride from the St. Petersburg port to PeterHof via a hydrofoil is only 30 minutes. The boat
charge for "foreigners" is 3 times the Russian Nationals cost. (300 vs 100 rubles). Design of the
long hydrofoil looks almost like 1960s James Bond.

Peter the Great was the first Russian emperor to visit Europe and this 1917 visit to Versailles impacted
his palace design - especially in the landscape and fountains. His objective was to use the classic
and tastefully designed Versailles and take it "over the top". He accomplished his goal. There were
fountains in every style, shape, and location. There were the classical gold mythological figures,
multiple jets to create a pyramid, an oversized rotating sunflower, trick fountains built into park
seats, fountains on top of buildings, and windows covered by waterfalls, and it seemed the fountains
never ended. The skies were blue, low humidity, and moderate temperatures added to the enjoyment.
After lunch in the PeterHof cafe, it was time to view the remaining sights and head back to the city.

The G8 Summit and NBC Today program were in St. Petersburg the week before. Much attention
was given to the 1 million items within the Hermitage collection. On our visit, the list of artwork
viewable during the afternoon was just a few hundred. That, with the opulence of the various
ballrooms, throne rooms, and boudoirs, made for a very full afternoon.

The evening was dinner on the hotel Terrance overlooking the St. Isaac Cathedral. The Beluga
steak and duck with cherries were the day's 'bon appetite' denouement. Time to pack for a very
early start the next day.










Peterhof Palace (1723) and Fountain Scenes