It was wonderful cruising along the waterway although we
didn’t get much rest at all. Mother Volga is a huge river and at 2500 miles in
length it is actually the longest in Europe.
In Russia
the river has mythological status and has been serenaded in poems paintings and
music. Itinerant labourers known as burlaks hauled the boats along the
riverbank and it is these hard working folk that are commemorated in the song
of the Volga Boatmen.
When we were in Yaroslavl;
where the river reaches a width of 2600 feet we were entertained by a quartet who
sang this wonderful song magnificently.
Yaroslavl
is one of the oldest provincial Russian cities and belongs to The Golden Ring. We
were duly impressed by the red brick Church of the Epiphany with its 5green
domes and the Church of Elijah the Prophet.
Then we wandered around for a while and Helen and I managed to find a
bride and groom celebrating the traditional toasting and glass smashing in the
street. Brides are everywhere!. We turned back again at Yaroslavl
to enter the direct waterway towards Moscow
and headed for Uglich. Uglich saw us visiting more churches including The
Church of Demetrius on the Blood which marks the spot where 9 year old Dimitri
was murdered.
Just past Uglich is a lock built between 1935 and 1940 along
with a hydroelectric power station and a pressure dam. The reservoir thus
created is 96 miles long and a famous symbol of the area is the 230 foot high
tower of the church at Kalyazin rising out of the water. This is all that remains
of the town.
From there it was into the Moscow Canal.
The project to link Moscow to the Volga was a huge undertaking and consists of
11 locks ( a height difference of 161 feet) 8 power stations, 5 pump stations
and 15 bridges We passed the outskirts
of Moscow , under the St Petersburg Highway Bridge and reached the river
Terminal in the Khimki Reservoir beside the old Northern River Station building
which is about 280 feet high.
The Russian emphasise the foundation dates of cities and it
was often mentioned that the city had been founded by Yuri Dolgoruki and the
first written reference to the city dates to 1147.
So we began our round of visits - The Kremlin, Red Square (fenced off) the Metro, the canal system, the
streets, shops, boulevards, statues and parks. We attended a folk concert and
paid a visit to a monastery 70 kilometres to the north. This is the heart of
The Russian Orthodox Church and it was a great day. We lunched in a little
restaurant – salmon wrapped in foil and potatoes. Beer and wine were the drinks
of the day. Souvenirs here were cheap as many were made in the town. Now we have lots of bit and pieces and the
bags are getting heavier. One pair of shoes has gone!
We did a fabulous tour of Moscow
lights by night which culminated with being at Red Square
in the pouring rain at midnight. But we saw it through the raindrops and
managed some photos of St Basils. While in Moscow we visited the Treasury and saw the fabulous
Faberge eggs – wouldn’t mind one of those! All too soon it was time to leave
our boat and head to the airport for our flight to Prague.
Memories and impressions of Russia and our cruise
·
Russians have a great sense of the ridiculous
and can deliver the most outrageous statements with a straight face.
·
Russians speak excellent English
·
Russian food is very good.
·
People pop up singing all over the place – it is
a land of much music and song.
·
The grass in many of the park is mown weeds and
dandelions are made into head bands by many. People pick bunches of them - all a matter of perspective.
·
The city of Moscow does not sprawl - high rise apartments dominate the
residential scene.
·
Very high heeled shoes are popular.
·
The rich are rich!!!!!!
·
Many people fish from the shores of the
waterways and there were lots of campsites.
·
People who complain are a pain and they should
be thrown overboard.
·
Robert was a good companion for the trip!
Making rock candy at the Chocolate Museum in Prague
Marzipan fruits at the Museum - they were beautiful
See Prague in style!
Inside Prague Castle
One of the many brides.
Prague.
Thank goodness we have now been there! The Czech transport
system is excellent and it is very easy to negotiate. The language skills of
the people put us to shame – most people spoke excellent English. We did the
touristy things and spent hours at the Castle. We walked along the river,
laughed at the penguins, enjoyed the architecture, drank much wine and beer,
saw thousands of tourist shops, crossed The Charles Bridge 5 times, visited
several restaurants, looked at the famous non working clock, walked down
Wenceslas Square (a bit disappointing!), watched the football, attended a
wonderful and classy concert with dinner at The Mozart Café, explored the Old
Town and almost died of the heat.
I was abandoned by Tony and Helen as Tony did not listen to
what I said – they returned to the hotel without me!!! Not impressed – but I
made it back without any trouble.
We got misplaced! This was due to the fact that the train
failed to proceed, the lights went out and the doors were opened. We got off!
Our accommodation at The Bishops House was extremely well
located, quite a nice room, an excellent and modern bathroom, a satisfactory
breakfast and friendly desk staff. Our room was a tad dark and the one chair a
bit uncomfortable. Helen’s room was much brighter and she had a chair and desk
as well as a jug. I think they must have given her my room!!!! It was a good
choice (thanks Raechel) but ask for Room 106 not 104! I’ll do a review for Trip
Advisor when I get a chance.
Remembering Margaret’s tales of jam and cream on meat we
hoped to find it. Bingo – first meal that we ordered. Didn’t seem too silly to
us as it was exactly as described on the menu! Had a couple of excellent Czech
meals in other places as well as some good salads. Prices are pretty good in
this part of the world. I now have added reindeer (Russia)
and goose (Czech Republic)
to the things I have eaten.
Photo tally – about a million!
And my opinion of Prague
– I liked it. Is it the most beautiful city in Europe?
– each city has its own beauty and style. Prague
is one of many wonderful places which really cannot be compared.
One for Margaret to revive her memories!
Wandering down Wenceslas Square
The chocolate is pretty good in Prague
Impressive stained glass in St Vitus Cathedral. Prague Castle
View from the top of the hill. It was quite a walk in the heat!
We are now on the train heading through the Czech Republic
to Vienna! The country side is rich and green. I just saw the first set of
solar panels on a farmhouse. It all seems very peaceful and pleasant. Actually we have arrived as it is now later at night.
