Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Wordless Wednesday Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood.

The Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood was built on the place where the Romanov family was assassinated. More information can be found here. 

The photos are not good quality because we couldn't use a flash.









This door and much of the interior is made up of millions of tiny mosaic tiles.

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.




Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Tallin, Estonia.

 Tallin, Estonia

This is the Russalka Memorial to those who lost their lives in the Gulf of Finland in 1902 on the Russian naval vessel of that name.


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Lanzarote.


 

We had been to Lanzarote before so decided to take a taxi of the Southern half of the island.

We told the cab driver we had been to the volcano on a previous trip where you transfer to a coach so didn't want to go there this time.

I don't think we made a good choice though because apart from visiting an old picturesque village, looking at all the lava rock became a bit tedious. At least we know not to do that if we go there again.

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.




Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Tenerife

It is years since we have had towel animals, it is not a thing that Princess stewards do often. I think our steward must have liked us because as well as the swans he made us a dog. One night we came back to this bird sitting on my bedside lamp! 



Tenerife, Canary Islands. The weather was much sunnier than it looks in this photo. It was good to get there after three days at sea with storms all the way. Luckily rough seas (30 feet+  swell) doesn't affect us. In fact it is the only time I sleep well!


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.


Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Our anniversary

 I haven't posted for a few weeks because we were on a cruise for our holiday, and when we got back my get up and go to post had got up and gone!

It was our 52nd anniversary and friends we made onboard asked to have a special cake made for us.



We went to the steak house and both had lobster.


When we got back to our room we found these towel swans surrounded by rose petals.


Me and the drinks steward from the Concierge Lounge. She helped organise the cake for us.


Everyone made a lovely day even better!


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.


Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Wordless Wednesday- Peterhof Palace, Russia.

The grounds of Peterhof Palace.
 
A fountain in the lower garden.

There are also trick fountains in various places that spray the unwary visitor if they step on a stone that triggers it. These children must have found the stone at this fountain and are using it to cool down.


Part of the gardens. Note yet another gold statue!
I forgot to resize the photos so hope they display properly.

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.



Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Peterhof Palace.

 Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia.

The palace.



The Cascade.

"One of St. Petersburg's most famous and popular visitor attractions, the palace and park at Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) are often referred to as "the Russian Versailles", although many visitors conclude that the comparison does a disservice to the grandeur and scope of this majestic estate.

Versailles was, however, the inspiration for Peter the Great's desire to build an imperial palace in the suburbs of his new city and, after an aborted attempt at Strelna, Peterhof - which means "Peter's Court" in German - became the site for the Tsar's Monplaisir Palace, and then of the original Grand Palace. The estate was equally popular with Peter's daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who ordered the expansion of the Grand Palace and greatly extended the park and the famous system of fountains, including the truly spectacular Grand Cascade.

Improvements to the park continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Catherine the Great, after leaving her own mark on the park, moved the court to Pushkin, but Peterhof once again became the official Imperial Residence in the reign of Nicholas I, who ordered the building of the modest Cottage Palace in 1826.

Like almost all St. Petersburg's suburban estates, Peterhof was ravaged by German troops during the Second World War. It was, however, one of the first to be resurrected and, thanks to the work of military engineers as well as over 1,000 volunteers, the Lower Park opened to the public in 1945 and the facades of the Grand Palace were restored in 1952. The name was also de-Germanicized in 1944, becoming Petrodvorets, the name under which the surrounding town is still known. The palace and park are once again known as Peterhof."


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.



Monday, September 18, 2023

Wordless Wednesday: Tallin, Estonia.

 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Tallin, Estonia.


"The large and richly decorated Russian Orthodox church, designed in a mixed historicist style, was completed on Toompea Hill in 1900, when Estonia was part of the Czarist Empire.

The well-maintained cathedral is one of the most monumental examples of Orthodox sacral architecture in Tallinn. Tallinn’s most powerful ensemble of church bells is located in the church towers. It comprises 11 bells, including Tallinn’s largest bell, which weighs 15 tonnes. Carillons by the entire ensemble can be heard before services. The interior, which is decorated with mosaics and icons, is worth a visit."


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Wordless Wednesday

 The red columns in St. Petersburg are called rostral columns. Since ancient times, and particularly Ancient Rome, architects used to “decorate” columns with trophies - the prows or rams of the defeated ships, which, in Latin, are called ‘rostrum’.

The more rostrums, the more enemies should be frightened to attack the navy. And more people would be proud of their country. 

Another famous example of the rostral column is the Columbus Monument at Columbus Circle in New York City. There are also rostral columns in French Bordeaux, on the place des Quinconces.


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.




Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Wordless Wednesday, Stockholm Archipelago.


"The Stockholm archipelago is a cluster of some 30000 islands, skerries and rocks and begins just a few minutes away from the city of Stockholm."

This is one of our favourite places to sail through. Because there are so many islands with some being not much more than a rock with a house on it, the ship has to go slowly to avoid wash. It is very peaceful with just the gentle lapping of the sea against the ship. We like to bring food to our balcony and a bottle (or two) of wine and sit there all night instead of going to the restaurant.

A ferry between the islands.


I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.



Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Wordless Wednesday.


 St. Lawrence's Church by the Kennet and Avon canal, Hungerford, Berkshire.

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.


Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Wordless Wednesday. Aarhus, Denmark.


 

The Lighthouse and Iceberg Houses in Aarhus docklands.I don't think there is an actual lighthouse there, but it has been called that because it overlooks the harbour. The Lighthouse skyscraper was completed in April 2023 and is the tallest building in Denmark. Construction still continues in the area. It is 42 storeys high which is 40 too many for me!

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.




Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Wordless Wednesday, Baltics Cruise 2023.

Visby on the island of Gotland, Sweden.

Flowers everywhere, no graffiti and everything kept spotlessly clean. A pleasure to be there.
 
Park with the remains of the old town wall in the background.

The entrance to the old town

A very popular sea food restaurant.

I am joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for the blog hop.