Bob and Ann in Russia 2007

Please visit September 2 slideshow.

Today, the high point of our Russian trip - the Hermitage Museum - proved impossible to cover in one day. After a short stop for photos of the Battleship Aurora guardian of the port of St Petersburg, we cued up to enter the museum on this dark, chilly morning. It was worth the wait for our two-hour tour of the gallery and palace once the home of Catherine the Great. We saw her fine collection of paintings of 18th and 19th century European masters. Most chilling was Rubin's Medusa. Our group left for the ship while we stayed behind in the museum. We had a quick lunch in the cafeteria and then spent a couple of hours wandering around the complicated layout of this enormous complex. Happily, we chanced upon stunning chambers in the palace undisturbed by other tourists. Less popular collection of ancient civilization and out-of-the-way galleries were also pleasantly empty. Failing to discover stairways to the top floor and find keys to the treasures, we finally left after making a hasty pass at our email.

Cossack Theater

Rain started just as we crossed the great square to find the courtesy bus. By dinner time, we were weary but I managed to shower and Ann arrived half-dressed to catch the bus to our folk dance show. Cossack dancing and music were lively and skilled. As we entered the theater, we were given shots of vodka and at intermission, we had champagne and caviar. When we left, we had to dash to the bus in a pouring rainstorm