1/2 Sea Day - Berlin to Visby - Beautiful day

Been so busy around here, first chance I've had to post.

Long ride yesturday, but enjoyed seeing Berlin on Regent's Cruising Berlin Tour. Most of the city center was over taken with the soccer fans, but were still able to get around to the sites easily.

Had an outstanding dinner last night in Signatures. Scallops, Grape/Wine Sherbert, Mushroom Soup, Lamb, White Chocolate Souffle.
All the food has been excellent so far, just too much. :eek:

Have to run, having lunch with Ngaire today.

David

David,

Thanks for taking the time to post for us! I am so glad that you and all the BLISS people are having such a great time. ENJOY!!!!!

Well, Visby was a bust!

Was too windy to tender in, so off to Tallinn.
At least we are getting blue skies.

Ngaire put on a very nice welcoming party

Until next post,
David

Thanks for the post, David!

Masaki

Thanks for posting, David. Sorry to hear that you were unable to dock in Visby.

I hope the rest of your cruise is enjoyable. Sounds like a great time is being had by all.

Ended up being a nice warm day in Tallinn.

Had a nice walk from the town center to the top of the hill, where there was a good view of the city. Unfortunately, came down the wrong side of the hill and ended up having about a 3 mile walk.
Probably the healthiest error I've made this trip.

1/2 way through the cruise, tonight we have the Seven Seas Society Party :lct:

Glad you ejoyed Tallinn, David. And, congratulations on your "preliminary winner" status. Have fun in St. Petersburg!

Glad you're having a great time...this part is the highlight. You didn't miss too much with Visby.

Hi David,

Thanks for posting from onboard. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

Love the seamail!!! Thanks for posting!

Yesturday Arrived in St. Petersburg, nice and sunny. By the end of the day it was sprinkling.

Had a full day of touring with Red October which Ngaire had set up for her group. We first went to Catherine's Palace, then onto the Hermitage & Gold Room, and then quick city tour. Was an interesting and tiering day.

Definitely some changes since I was last in St. Petersburg 30 years ago. No Communist propaganda speach from the tour guide, plenty of McDonald's, KFC, Subway Sandwich, Sony, Mitshubishi, Toyota, Ford, etc. Definitely has been westernized with material good, but was surprised in the 10 + years of change that there weren't more modern buildings, big shopping malls, nicer apartments. The lifestyle has changed, but the people just don't look any happier.

David

David - thanks for the St. Petersburg report. Our impressions were much the same .. the lifestyle has changed, but the people don't look any happier.

Are the cottonwood tree seeds blowing around the city? We were there the first week of July so it might be a little early for that "feature" of St. Petersburg. The locals are none too pleased with that mess, either! Cheers, Anne

Thanks for your report, David. We, too, found the people in St. Petersburg and Moscow to be sullen and angry. There have been changes, but I don't think many of the changes equate to enriching and elevating (both emotionally and monetarily) people's day to day lives.

We spent a full day in Moscow and got to wander for a few minutes inside GUM shopping mall. Very impressive.

Looking forward to hearing from Ray and Penny who took the day excursion to Moscow.

Have a terrific time on the rest of your cruise.

Anne, those cottonwood trees drove Alan's allergies into overdrive!

I have a theory about the "sullen and angry" attitudes of people in St. Petersburg (didn't go to Moscow). Throughout history, they have been under some-one's thumb be it Catherine the Great or the Communists. Someone told them what to do and how to do it. They had no reason to develop an entrepreneurial spirit and don't quite understand being on their own. They keep looking for someone to take care of them. Contrast that with Estonians and Latvians who took their freedom with great enthusiasm and ran with it. An over-simplified opinion but it is mine.

I think you hit the nail right on the head, Donna. I'd like to expand on your opinion; however, I won't, as it may be too political.

Denise, maybe we'll have an "interesting" discussion on a cruise one day :) .

I look forward to that, Donna! :)

Are they really sullen and angry or depressed and beaten? We had a wonderful guide in SP who really opened up to the issues they face with their government.

Well encapsulated, Donna!