Would you believe this is my 70th post and as I am typing we are now starting to rock a little. There were some heavy snow flurries this morning while we were at sea. The two sea days before we hit Petropavlovsk were rather uneventful and I spent my time trying to recoup from all the Japanese food which played havoc with my system. It is now Monday April 19 and tomorrow is Monday April 19. We will be crossing the International Dateline and assume we will be getting a certificate suitable for framing. We have received so many gifts I have lost count but one of the most significant is a rolling duffel bag to put all the gifts in so we can get them home.
Petropavlovsk is a drab city but what I expected for a city in Siberia. About 22 degrees when we went ashore about 11:30. Our tour was scheduled for 10:00 but the Russian authorities were having their way with our ship. It was amazing how they spent all day pouring over papers and passports. I truly believe these men who work immigration make busy work so they can eat breakfast, lunch, have tea and dinner on the ship. I mean this is better than borscht. We also were scheduled to leave at 5:00 but didn’t get clearance to leave until 8:30. At least they didn’t intimidate the tourists as much as the Chinese.
I was scheduled for a performance by the local natives (Koryak) who appear to be closely related to the Ainu natives of Japan. A magnificent performance of traditional song and dance and certainly was not drab. The lunch left a lot to be desired but the beer was good and the borscht was not as bad as some of the borscht I have had in the pass. Apparently, the salmon had not reappeared as we were served frozen salmon and I am such a purist when it comes to fresh salmon that I can spot frozen salmon from across the room.
Well, I am now up to date on my posts and I will be winding down. Probably one or two more posts before I depart in Seattle. Much packing to do over the next few days and I will start with my new duffle bag.
Oh no! I can't believe your wc is nearly over. It's been such a treat to read each post and you can be really proud of the job you did in making it so interesting. I am going to miss my early morning fix.
ReplyDeleteOne question: Does Holland America bring excellent lecturers on board continuously like they do on Cunard's world cruises? I don't recall your mentioning many of those.
I hope you have more visits in Russia. It was nothing like I expected. I guess you need to go into the country more to see the sights. Government trying to get a free meal? That's what USA does too, just with the locals instead of the tourists. Nothing new there. LOL. We are all excited to have you home, so don't be sad that your wc is coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Rach
Hi, Judi --
ReplyDeleteIt must seem as though you have been through the four seasons, twice. Talk about ending on a cold note. But, having some of your final stops less than spectacular will make it easier for you to end your trip -- you will be ready for home and your own bed. And, you will be arriving back in Seattle just in time for spring weather.
Grace
Judi, when is the white elephant sale when you all sell each other the treasures you can bear to part with? Have certainly enjoyed your cruise by proxy. Welcome back home to life that doesn't rock and roll quite as much. When is the next big expedition??
ReplyDeleteI am addicted to your blog,and now you are going to stop almost Cold Turkey. What a joy to read your accounts from top to bottom, from right to left, and through such good health, save for a touch of mal de mer after Japan and before Siberia. And you were not murdered! 16 people apparently died on the QM2 World Voyage just concluded. Plenty of ice cream from the coolers before Southampton, I hear. Don.
ReplyDelete