A Taste Of St. Petersburg

A taste of old Russia at Eliseyev Emporium

After a day of exploring Peterhof and the Catherine Palace at Pushkin, I’m ready to delve into St. Petersburg proper.  After dropping the rest of the tour group back at the port, mum and I are taken to the metro at Primorskaya where we are handed over to another guide for the evening. … Read the rest

Catherine Palace

Catherine Palace’s Rococo facade

As the second wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, Empress of Russia, came to the throne by chance.  She was orphaned at an early aged and spent her youth as a maid.  Nevertheless, they met soon after Peter moved the capital to St.… Read the rest

Peterhof

The magnificent fountains and facade of Peterhof

Our destination is Peterhof.  After a drive through the city, however, the metro is our first introduction to St.  Petersburg and even from the very beginning it is unlike any other metro station.  Narvskaya metro is bustling with commuters and we push our tokens into the machine to pass through the gates and are funneled onto a long escalator, perhaps the longest I have ever seen.… Read the rest

At Sea

The water slides

“Forgive me for saying so, but you’re too young for cruising” my work colleague quips a few weeks before our departure.  On the contrary, I rather wish we had discovered this way of travel long before now.

Embarking

We’re on our first day at sea travelling from Warnemünde, Germany to Tallinn, Estonia where we will dock tomorrow morning. … Read the rest

Marienkirche

Marienkirche

Today we are visiting Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church), located in Rostock, a city in northern Germany. After a walk through the town square we come across this charming church and enter into the dazzling interior, the whitewashed wall reflecting the light of the bright day outside.… Read the rest

Warnemünde & Rostock

On the canal, Warnemünde

I wake up in Warnemünde, our first port of call, and I can’t wait to get out and explore.  After dressing, breakfast and other morning tasks, we walk from the port into town and follow the pretty canal lined with boats floating prettily and little pension (B&B) along the banks.… Read the rest

Kastellet

Kastellet

Our holiday begins in earnest today. Whilst yesterday was filled with waiting, today dawns to coffee and croissants (after Jason takes an early morning walk to find provisions).    Suitably fortified we ready ourselves and set off for Kastellet.

On the streets in København

As we set off from our Friederickstrasse apartment and out along the cobbled streets I breathe in the chill of the clean, cool air and stretch my arms towards the blue sky.… Read the rest

Brad’s Brunchology

Yalumba’s Brunchology

All good parties have a serious side that goes along with the fun.  Today’s party for Brad’s 40th has a good deal of both! Let’s Brunchology!

My friend Diana (wife of said birthday boy), has given up a girls’ weekend, organised a surprise birthday party with 33 guests, plus other weekend surprises (a mini break at the Burj Al Arab no less) as well as having coordinated a house move in the last week. … Read the rest