A Baltic boating adventure TRIP REPORT COMPLETED 11/19 About This Page:

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Monday 13 June – part four: why not go in there to get a hot drink?

The Palace was originally built in the early 18th century, but was then transformed during the reign of Tsarina Elizabeth when a third story and wings with pavilions at either end were added.

Fortunately, as we left this area, it did get less crowded. Elena stopped to show us a display of how the palace was after the Second World War, when it was devastated. She explained how they’d buried a lot of the statues to try and protect them and how many women helped in the restoration, as it actually started during the war, while the men were still away fighting. One thing we would learn today was the devastating impact this war had on Russia, something I didn’t know. I know all about the impact it had on Britain, and places like France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries, but you never hear anything about what took place in Russia.



Around here, we got some lovely views of the chapel…



I was disappointed to hear that we weren’t going to be going inside this palace, but I’m sure there’s a good reason for that, and we’d be visiting another palace later on. Maybe it would be too much for one day?



As we walked along, Elena explained that all of this was built on what was originally swamp land, and you could see that from the gullies they had around here. I saw some insects flying around. Who knows if they were mosquitos or not? Thankfully, I didn’t get bitten, and that was my main concern. If you think I’m crazy talking about mosquitos being here, then I’m not. We got talking to someone a couple of nights ago, who had visited St. Petersburg before, and she was relieved it was going to be colder and wet, as the last time, it had been warm, and she’d been surprised at how much she’d been plagued by mosquitos during that visit.

We came to this fountain, which I believe is of Sampson, if I remember right? Elena had told us earlier that all the fountains have to be refurbished every five years, and she pointed out that this one was no doubt nearing its next restoration, as you could see that it wasn’t the same gold colour all over. Wow!



Stephanie had already said she could with a coffee to warm up, and I was feeling the same. Elena had mentioned that the orangery building that we were standing near to…



… was a restaurant, so I came up with an idea. Why not go in there to get a hot drink? Stephanie immediately jumped on the idea, and backed me up. Thankfully, Elena didn’t try to dissuade us, and we headed inside.



We were going to get a tea or a hot chocolate, but when we spotted mulled wine on the menu, we instantly changed our minds, and went for that. Here again, we came across appalling behaviour, this time from a French tour group. An elderly woman pushed past, instead of just going to the back of the line the way everyone else would, then she was trying to go through the various teas right in front of us, reaching across. I did contemplate saying something very rude in French, but stuck with some loud choice comments about the French and their behaviour in English, which I know she heard. When another French woman from the same party came over, and tried to push behind us, I put my hand out and very firmly told her which she didn’t like, but tough. What is it with people?



Jay and Stephanie had never heard of mulled wine, so they both tried a taste of ours, and really enjoyed it. It was just what we needed, and really helped to warm us both up.

Before we left, we decided we’d better visit the restrooms, so we headed that way. I was fine, as Elena showed me the way, but on the way out, I heard the attendant arguing with a group of people. I am guessing here, but I think she was saying they weren’t restaurant customers, as the toilets were only for customers. They said they were, and she reluctantly let them in.

We headed out, and made our way over to the Roman Fountains, which were designed and built in the early 18th century. These were inspired by the one in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.



We also saw the chess board fountain, and I think you can probably tell why it’s called that…



It had these magnificent dragons at the top of it:



Once again, this fountain had undergone massive restoration work at the conclusion of World War Two, which was becoming an all too familiar theme of what we were seeing today.

Next: they had a wicked sense of humour!