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A fantastic trip was had by all....it was very difficult to get up at 3:00 am but the kids rallied and were actually downstairs earlier than they needed to be! After eating a small breakfast at the hotel, we loaded up the bus and headed to the airport. Most of us slept here and there - in the airport and on the plane. We had our final "final group photo" on the bus on the way home :-)

Our third and final day in St. Petersburg was the icing on the cake. Leaving at 9:00 on a bus to Pushkin, we were able to stop at a very large grocery store called "OK". It was very interesting to see how the natives of St Petersburg buy their groceries and home goods. There was also a Home Depot like store as well as a Costco.

At the town Pushkin we visited Catherine's Palace and were lucky enough to see the great Amber Room - entirely made out of amber! After visiting this palace we were off to Peterhof - Catherine's summer palace. The fountains alone are good enough reason to visit! We also saw our first Russian rain - but only for a moment.

We returned back to the center of town for dinner at a lovely restaurant called "Fasol". After dinner we took a cruise along the Neva River. It was warm and dry enough to sit outside and enjoy the city view from the river.

Finally, we were lucky enough to climb to the top of St. Isaac's Cathedral and see the city from way up high! It was breathtaking! On our way back to the hotel we were able to stop at the famous book store called "Dom Knigi" so the kids could make some last minute purchases.

We are all exhausted but getting up at 3:00 am to eat a small breakfast and leave for the airport.

We could not have asked for a better trip!! Thanks Moms & Dads! We'll see you in less than 24 hours!

Day #2 in St. Petersburg is the best day yet! It started with a 7:30 am wake up call (thank you Mr. Hood!), a lovely breakfast and a quick bus ride to the Hermitage Museum. We walked outside the Winter Palace and took some fabulous group photos (Wait till you see them!!) Then we had a quick tour of several exhibits in the museum - we saw many famous painters and sculptors such as DiVinci, Monet and Rodin!
Our museum visit was followed by 90 minutes of free time - we found a fantastic place for lunch. Real Russian pies filled with meet, cheese, green onions, sweet cheese or berries! Others went to Subway :-) Then we were back on the museum trail....this time to Yusupov Palace. We continue to learn a lot about Russian history. Our guide, Maria, is very knowledgeable and quite charming.
After the palace we went to dinner at, strangely enough, DiVinci Restaurant. We had a fabulous Russian meal complete with vegetable salad, borscht and beef stroganoff. Tea and blini for dessert!
Our evening ended with the ballet Giselle! It was breathtakingly beautiful. Those who did not attend the ballet walked and shopped the main thoroughfare of St. Petersburg called Nevsky Prospect. Finally, after returning to the hotel, we took our nightly walk to the supermarket to stock up on necessary supplies such as water, cookies and chocolate!!
Tomorrow is our last day in this very beautiful city. We have been extremely lucky with the weather - some of us actually got a little sunburned! We will take excursions to Pushkin and to Peterhof - both require the bus and will take several hours. In the evening we have a special cruise along the Neva River.
Unfortunately the power cord to my computer is kaput and, while we actually found a store that can replace it, it would cost 4590 rubles, or $153 :-( I am updating the blog from the computer in the hotel lobby. As I sit and complete this blog entry, it is nearly midnight and still light outside. It is most incredible!
The kids are really enjoying themselves and are getting along famously! They are using their Russian every chance they get. They are trying Russian food and actually enjoying it! You would be proud as to how well behaved they are....they are certainly making us proud.