Did I mention we got 2 days in Russia? The shore tour this day was meant to
be the highlight of the trip. The "Hermitage Museum," located on the banks
of the Neva River, the Winter Palace is home to the Hermitage Museum. The
enormous complex comprises five buildings and displays some of the world's
greatest art treasures.
Today, the Hermitage rivals the Louvre and Prado in magnificence. The Winter
Palace itself is an incomparable work of art. The contoured ceilings, precious
woods, chandeliers, magnificent halls, staterooms, and elaborate staircases
represent the utmost in opulence and beauty.
The guided tour of the museum included the Gala Suite of apartments, the
Malachite Room, the Small Hermitage, Italian Masters, Dutch and Flemish art,
and French Impressionists.
No breakfast for Lesley for fear of being sick again. But, I can always eat.
There was an early morning rain as Lesley and I talked ourselves into going
on this pre-paid tour.
The Hermitage Museum was the main tour that Lesley was interested in seeing.
Our guide for bus group number 27 was Olga, with driver Christian.
During our ride to the museum on the main road through the city, we noted several
of the same buildings we'd seen before.
We had an early start as a tour group and were able to gain entrance before
the museum opened to the general public. I think this ticket says Heritage on
it somewhere.
This museum is one of the world's greatest treasures and features more than 3
million exhibits. And that doesn't include the impressive building itself or
its beautiful furnishings.
Just look through the art objects I was able to capture in digital format as
we passed through the rooms. Our tickets included photographing privileges.
There were fantastic tapestries and carvings.
This fantastic hallway had so much art on the ceilings that it was dizzying looking up.
All these statues seemed to be born with fig leafs!
We had been on a few tour busses with fellow cruisers, Jay and Stef, and became
friends with them. Several rooms before we entered the paintings area Jay told
me the thought he had seen Andie MacDowell in the museum with a couple of
women guides. He wasn't sure, but told me to keep an eye out for her, as he
was a fan and would like to have a picture of her.
The section we entered next that was home to paintings by famous artists was
totally off limits to cameras.
When Jay saw Andie again, I really thought we had left the area that was banned
to cameras, and I tried to take her picture. The first one (without flash) was
of the back of her head. I was trying not to be too obvious, so I aimed at a
painting where I knew she would walk into my field and snapped another one, catching
here in it. Then I was
promptly scolded by a museum volunteer that I wasn't to take pictures in that
area. Through the next doorway was territory open to cameras. Anyway, Jay
was thrilled that I got a decent photo of Andie with him (gry and white
striped jacket) in frame.
Andie MacDowell and Jay.
And below is my postcard collection…real ones.
As usual, most tours end in a shopping area before returning to the ship.
Ours was for a very short time and not long enough to canvas the mediocre souvenir choices.
Then our bus headed back to the docks.
Lesley and I went up on the top deck in the afternoon and a crewmember was
tossing bread to the seagulls. There must have been ten or so within a few
feet of us. Some came to grab the bread right from her hands. Sorry I didn't
have my camera with me.
At 6:00 PM we said a fond farewell to Russia as the Jewel of the Seas headed
to our next stop.
No casual dinner for Lesley this night. She had become very un-trustworthy of food.
I joined the others.
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