11.02pm I started off late as usual :p rusehd to the metro being unsure what time the line will close down. In the wago, I double-checked the train ticket. It says 1:50am. That translate to 2 hours of boring transition at the train-station.
12:15am Found a nice spot to actually sit down in the Vokzal (Vakzal = train station in Russian). Thanks to Jeya and Sashi, I now have a map and a guidebook with me.Took the time to research and decided places to visit in St.Pete. Here’s what I’ve listed:
(1) St.Isaac Cathedral – must go up and see the view
(2) The admiralty – can’t locate it on the map. (map is in Russian)
(3) Winter Palace/Hermitage – open 1030-1700 (My friends told me that i should probably skip the Museum part because it could takes hours. But after reading that Hermitage is one of the world famous Museum (World No.8), i decided to go ahead with it. If I walked fast enough, i could just finish it up in 3 hours. I’m kindda looking forward to it, as I have been to Florance’s Uffize (World No.5) , London’s British Museum (World No.3) , Vatican Museum (World No.2)… I would see how it compares.
(4) Summer Garden & Summer Palace
(5) Christ of spilled blood Cathedral (it look like St.Basil in Moscow, but Jeya told me it look nicer)
(6) Paul & Peter Fotress?
(7) Peterhoff (For 2nd Day)
(1) St.Isaac Cathedral – must go up and see the view
(2) The admiralty – can’t locate it on the map. (map is in Russian)
(3) Winter Palace/Hermitage – open 1030-1700 (My friends told me that i should probably skip the Museum part because it could takes hours. But after reading that Hermitage is one of the world famous Museum (World No.8), i decided to go ahead with it. If I walked fast enough, i could just finish it up in 3 hours. I’m kindda looking forward to it, as I have been to Florance’s Uffize (World No.5) , London’s British Museum (World No.3) , Vatican Museum (World No.2)… I would see how it compares.
(4) Summer Garden & Summer Palace
(5) Christ of spilled blood Cathedral (it look like St.Basil in Moscow, but Jeya told me it look nicer)
(6) Paul & Peter Fotress?
(7) Peterhoff (For 2nd Day)
01:20am Boarded the Train. Found my seat and went off sleeping away just after the routine ticket check.
Day 01
10++ am, reached St.Pete. Had no trouble finding my way to the nearest metro station and headed for the hostel. The hostel is located strategically at Nevsky Prospecky, just behind the Kazans Cathedral. As i cross the street, I could see the cathedral of Christ of Spilled blood just in a distance.
Met a Frech girl when I got to the Cuba-Hostel, had a bit of chit-chat while waiting for the registration to check me in. After check-in, I refreshed myself with a shower and headed out to explore st.pete.
1st stop, I went to the Cathedral of Christ of Spilled Blood.Took some photos.
Then, i ventured toward the St.Isaac. Queued for the ticket booth for 5 mins, but the lady denied my of any ticket coz she didn’t have change for 500rub!!! I crossed the street and try to buy a bottle of water to get some change, but end up having to buy 2 bottle of Gastrol and 1 bottle of bonviva (coz the vendor apparently doesnt have enough change for me as well, tough luck!!)
Back to the ticket booth, they are selling tickets to the Collumnade and ticket to take photos seperately. However, it doesnt cost me much as I have a student pass.
Then, off i went to climb all the way to the collumnade. I think there is some 200 steps in total. Luckily, I came here 1st thing of the day. If i would have came after i walk all over the town, I don’t think i could make it up wihout panting.
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| there! the even mark the number of steps u need to take before u reach the top |
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| the spiral stair-case |
The view from the collumnade is spectacular. I snaps lots of photos, but not many with me in it. (that’s the pain of travelling alone)
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| See the black plastic bag on my left hand? That will be the 3 bottle of water i bought to get enough change for the tickets! |
Next stop, the Admiralty and Winter Palace (Hermitage). Nothing much to see at the Admiralty. It is a shipyard fort. Right in front of the Admiralty is the Hermitage. I went in and queued for the ticket. Though the queue was kindda long, I got in after some 15mins wait. The Museum is really beautiful. I am impressed with the interior of the building, and its collections of course.
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| The Admiralty |
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| That is me stealing some time to camwhore :p |
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| This is an impressive piece of art. Look at the small tiles (each sized about 0.5cm) that made up the whole picture! |
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| Picasso – One of the collection of art work by the master himself. |
Somewhere about 5pm, I left Heritage and go roaming around. Reached the Nevsky River. It happened to be the national Navy day 
Lots of Army ship and stuff
Lots of Army ship and stuff
Day 02
Today’s plan is simple, PETEHOFF! 
Peterhoff is a palace.
Peterhoff is a palace.
About 4pm, left Peterhoff. Went to Summer Park. Then roam somemore.
8pm I walked back to the hostel. Still wondering how I’d spend the last few hours. Instead, I found myself chatting away at the lounge area of Cuba-hostel. Met Tim from Holland, 2 girls from Australia, and another dude from Canada. I’m quite surprise that the staff are actually being quite tolerant. I was supposed to be out of the place, but they let me hang-around, use the internet for free. Heck! they even serve me free teas.
12:50am I boarded the train without much trouble. But, okay, I’m now officially a magnet for old ladies. not only that I’m seated with one on my way to St.Pete, now I will ride back with one too. (Tough luck :p)
