St Petersberg, Russia, Day 2

Today, immigration just smashed our passports with the heavy stamp and got rid of us. About 5 seconds per passenger.

First was Catherine Palace in the morning. Insanely large and lavish. The surrounding gardens were nice.

While we waited to get in, a band played a selection of Russian favourites.

Lunch was delayed, and delayed, and...

Eventually another tour group joined us. Then 8 more. We were now 150 people, all expecting cardboard sandwiches with water.

Then the little cafe doors opened to the sound of folk music emanating from inside. The cafe was huge. A table place for everyone and the first of five courses was already awaiting us. The food was great and the folk music and performers were too. Lots of fun. Maybe the champagne helped. Er, what diet?

Then we went to Peterhof Palace, and it was even larger, more lavish, and had spectacular fountains. No photos of the inside were allowed.

The black clouds unleashed a single massive rolling thunder clap and the rain started just as we were climbing back on the bus to return to the ship. At one point, our coach driver pulled over to the side of the road. Had the KGB stopped us? No, it was a malfunctioning windscreen wiper. He fixed it in 10 minutes but was drenched.

The tour guide for our bus happened to be the exact same woman we had on our private tour the previous day!

On return to the boat we had dinner then Tricia fell asleep fully dressed. I put a cushion behind my back and satisfied my Internet craving. She nearly awoke when the load medical emergency announcement came bellowing through PA system. We may have lost another passenger.