After our canal cruise and the evening with the folk dancers of St Petersburg we spent some lesuirely time aboard our ship before sailing to our next destination – Tallin Estonia.
Whilst we waited for the ship to sail out of the harbour there was plenty to do on board the ship but it was just too cold for us subtropicals to think about a dip in the pool or the hottub. So we strolled around deck and noticed we had been joined in port by an MSC Line ship. Our ship has this curious gangway which took you out over the ocean with a glass floor so you could see what sixteen stories looked like. Or we could laze in the weak northern sun and watch TV. Or take in the views such as the new bridge or the tourist boat racing to Peterhoff. when we finally did sail we were surprised how big the harbour is. We passed a navy base which has become more a museum than active. And like all good sailors you must have a church to protect you whilst at sea. Only this one is part gold.
And we sailed on. This old harbour remains in use as shown by the new Patrol boat moored amongst the exhibits of the museum. There also appeared a vest of the earliest use of the harbour – a fortress with gun ports pocked across it. As we passed the last gates (the storm surge gates to protect against tidal surges) we knew we were leaving St Petersburg – sailing into a glorious sunset.
glendon1954 