Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
June 29, 2015 – Canals of St. Petersburg to Midnight Train to Moscow
The team along with Lina had a very full afternoon after they left the Hermitage: Church on Spilled Blood, the Kazan Cathedral and the spectacular interior of St. Isaac's Cathedral. They also climbed the 300 steps to the top of St. Isaac's for the views of St. Petersburg. At 6:00 PM we met at the Blue Bridge by the Astoria Hotel and took a relaxing tour of the canals and waterways of St. Petersburg by private boat.
Todd and Heather enjoying our boat tour
Nic on the Canals of St. Petersburg
On our boat tour of the Canals of St. Petersburg
Every building we passed was beautiful and interesting
The General Staff building at the Hermitage from the water
Later we went back to “The Market” for our last dinner in St. Petersburg
The selection of fresh food in there is amazing.
Our meals were prepared right before our eyes and they were delicious
Just before 11:00 PM we walked with Vage to the train station for our departure on the “Grand Express Train”
Just before midnight: trains ready to roll south to Moscow
We do not travel light
All aboard
This is alright. There is wireless on the train and Nic and Todd immediately called their friend Brian back in Arizona for a video call “Wish you were here…”
A few hours later, just passed 8:00 AM Larissa met us on the platform in Moscow
Welcome to Moscow!
Early Check in at the Ararat Park Hyatt in Moscow. They had our rooms ready at 9:30 in the morning!