St Petersburg

Upon entry to Russia everyone must fill in a declaration form with passport details etc, only problem is its all in bloody Russian, which was fun! Later found out the authorities had only recently removed the English translation from the form, fortunately the rusinan lady i was sitting next too on the plane helped me out, somehow. After touchdown made my way to passport control with the other passengers, who appeared to be mainly Russians. Not knowing what to expect I was slightly nervous, but after a few minutes of the guard starring at my passport and then at my face and then at my passport again everything was fine. I got in a taxi and headed to my hotel. The taxi driver (Viktor) was seen keen to practice his broken English. Was struck by what in the UK would be considered crazy driving as Viktor pointed out the statues erected to commemorate war victories. In the evening had dinner at a trendy restaurant ran by a Danish couple. Whist walking back to the hotel my initial impressions of the crazy driving are confirmed as we hear screeching and turn around to see a car on its roof. Strangely we are advised to keep moving before the police arrive.

Hermitage

Next day check out the city, it's gorgeous and steeped in history. See the main attractions and cathedrals also see some of the less glamorous backstreets. One Orthodox Church we walked into was holding a service with traditional signing, which was awesome, I actually thought it was a CD until I turned around and seen the choir up on the balcony. Visit the hermitage museum complete with Egyptian mummies, Greek and roman statues and many paintings including a Da Vinci. The palace is so big you could easily make it last a few days. Its really easy to get lost in the city, its huge, when you do simply navigate by the church spires. Take a tour on the cannels. While in St Pete's two things you have to do; firstly check out the little cafes dotted all over and get the pancakes severed with just about anything, blueberry jam was my favourite, and secondly, have a beer. Just about every street corner has a little hut selling bottle of beer and cigarettes where the locals all seem to hangout in the early evening. I spent my last night in St Pete's doing the same watching the sun go down with Bora and Roz.

St Pete's

St Pete's

St Isaac's Cathedral

Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood

St Pete's

St Pete's