June 13th Oslo to St Petersburg

An early start to the day with a drive the 50k taxi ride to the airport.  We were glad we arrived with time to spare as it was rather confusing finding where to go.  In our travels we have found some airports just make sense and it is easy to work out what is happening but not so in Oslo.  We asked one of the Scandinavian Air employees (who looked about 12) and he was able to help us, but he also accidentally upgraded us on our second leg – Stockholm to St. Petersburg.

So brekkie at the airport, then bought a book to read, have just finished Richard Flanagan’s award winning book.  So have gone for something a bit more light hearted this time.  

So off to Stockholm we had a tail wind and so it only took about 50 minutes to get there.  Wandered around a bit, had some lunch, and whiled away the time till we could board our next flight.  With much confusion with changing departure gates etc. we were glad to be on the plane.  It was then we realised we had been upgraded – handed lunch, could have had a wine or anything else we desired but we didn’t push it and just had a tea.

We had great views coming into St Petersburg.  Everything went very smoothly, through pass port control and then collected our bags and then we were met by our transfer driver and off into the traffic – our driver was a complete lunatic – a frustrated racing car driver maybe.  He caused so many drivers to slam on their brakes as he cut in, sped off only to see someone else he could cut off – we were glad to arrive at our Hotel without an ambulance or a tow truck needed.  

Our Hotel ‘Corinthia’ is quite grand – orchids everywhere – huge old style staircase on the lobby – a doorman and a bell boy – not what I was expecting in Russia.

We unpacked a little and then headed out to see the sights.  It was 6pm by then and the streets were teeming with people.  We found a park – ‘Catherine’s Gardens’.  It was a lovely oasis.  We were met by two actors dressed up for photos – she introduced herself as Catherine the Great and Peter the Great – I said ‘Glad to meet you – I’m Vivienne the Fabulous and my husband Dennis the Marvellous’ – she looked confused but went off to harass someone else instead.   Outside the gates was a gathering point for artists doing portraits for tourists.  We wandered a bit more - had a little meal and then back to the peace of the Hotel.