Photos 20th June Kizhi

the port of Kizhi - in November this lake and the waterways around will all be frozen solid

our first sight of the 'Pogost'

there are actually another row or cupolas but the empty sections are being repaired as they are made of wood and do not last many years

the cemetery with the Russian Orthodox style crosses 

many icons adorn the inside of the church

the only normal height door on the island

an Russian Orthodox cross

a typical dining room

spinning wool

a mother and daughter making crocheted bead necklaces 

a display of tea pots

the boats used for fishing and crossing from islands were made in a large area in the second floor over the barn where the cattle were kept

a carpenter making shingles like those on the onion shaped domes.  Notice his missing finger - maybe a work related accident???

a working wind mill - all of the fences were made like this and also no nails used

one of the smaller churches on the island-this was used for praying in only

a wood carvers display of toys he makes

the hut was the threshing hut and a construction for drying 

my attempt of painting a Martryoshka doll

it was fun to have a paint brush in my hand again.

June 20th Kizhi

Today was an early start – up – brekkie – off the boat ready to start the tour of Kizhi by 8am.  It is a small island 1km wide – and 6km long.  It is just one of 1650 islands in this area.  The Finns invaded this area too during the 2^nd World War and the inhabitants were put into concentration camps or killed and all the village homes and churches on the island burned down.    One of these churches was originally built in the 17^th century.  The carpenters of this island were renowned crafts men and had been paid to build this style of church in many other regions and decided to build one of their own.  Metal nails had to be made individually and were therefore very expensive – 70 nails equalled 1 cow.  So these carpenters had devised a method of building without nails.  This island is now a National Museum and the Pogost is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990.  It was very interesting to see how these people lived in very difficult conditions.  Often 22 people would share one house.  The very young and the very old would sleep on top of the large oven/heater at night.  The men and women on the floor and the boys who would become fathers sleep in the beds.  They had many pagan beliefs.  They spun wool and also flax.  At 16 years old the girls would be sent to live on another island in the hope of finding a husband.  The girl was allowed to choose who they married.

We were back on board and started moving off again by 11am.  Entertainment was painting a martryoshka doll.  This was great fun.  After lunch we attempted to make some cloth dolls in the old Russian method – without much success.  The fact that we didn’t have any needle and thread didn’t help, but we were trying to make them the authentic peasant Russian way.

An ice-cream party was next.  It was a bit of fun.  The rest of the day was taken up with a talk on “All you wanted to know about Russia” and after dinner a concert by an opera singer Natalia Kraevsky

Photos Mandrogi June 19th

views as we approached Mandrogi 

a lock entrance - and someone fishing in a small boat

the house built for Mr. Putin's visit to Mandrogi - he decided to sleep elsewhere

our first view of the old style settlement

checking the map after being sprayed with insect repellant

one of the many craft studio/galleries

artists at work

before.........

and after.......this nesting doll was huge with every size down to a small pea

more artists

old style transport

Sandy and me opposite Mr. Putin house

a real wood pecker

a very old loom

the kitchen

yay....a spinning wheel

the bedroom

the doorways were more like windows they were set so low

the lunch time entertainment

back on board - unusual houses on the water

another lock

this sunset photo was taken at 11pm.

June 19th Mandrogi

We travelled along all night on Lake Ladoga and met the Svir River.  Just after brekkie time we had reached out destination of Mandrogi.  The original occupants of this area had either fled this area or been taken into work camps and the whole village razed to the ground during the Second World War. The village stood derelict until a businessman (and also friend of Mr Putin) S.E. Gutzeit decided to re build a holiday village.  This then turned into like a pioneer village – arts and crafts people were asked to work there, to produce and sell their work.  Weaving, lace making, leather work, blacksmith (a lady) and of course many many painters.  I actually saw a spinning wheel. 

We were free to wander at our leisure until it was time to meet for a Russian BBQ lunch.  It was all delicious -  then we had a real treat with a Russian Folk Group coming to entertain us – they were brilliant – we all enjoyed it so much – even the crew.  We bought a CD which in the crush of people and the confusion we didn’t actually get it – we went back to the boat – I asked Den he had put the CD – he said I don’t have it – we realised what had happened and there was only one minute till we had to be back on board.  We spoke to the reception desk – a couple of phone calls by them and our CD was delivered to us by the Cruise Director.  Everyone is so helpful – they cannot do enough for you.

We then went to a ‘learn to speak Russian’ class.  Oh boy what a difficult language but had fun.  While we were on Mandrogi I had tried to say Good morning in Russian to one of the Russian artists – she looked at me confused and said ‘sorry no English’.  So obviously I don’t have any talent with language!!!

Our next item on the program was Russian History.  It was great.  He covered   1,200 years in an hour. 

Time to get ready for dinner and then we have just come back to our cabin from the Disco night.  We only intended to stay a short while but had such a great time we stayed for a few hours.  On our way back to our cabin we took photos of the sunset 11pm – still in ‘white night’ area.

June 18th Last Day St Petersburg and photos

We decided we needed a holiday from our holiday and so didn’t go on today’s tour which was a cruise on the canals of St. Petersburg.  Instead we slept in, read, rested, did some research, did some washing, ate, drank cuppas, a few wines, chatted and enjoyed the company of others on board.  It was a lovely day. 

At 5pm we left St. Petersburg, travelling on the River Reva and then into Lake Ladoga, this is the largest lake in Europe.  Late this afternoon they had a safety drill where we all had to put on our life jackets and meet in the lounge.  This was a good idea as the music that was playing when we came on board was the theme tune from Titanic!!!!  So in the ‘unlikely event of anything happening’ we all know what to do and where to go.

Right now it is time to go to bed.

 

the engines fired up and off we go....

a few sights along the river

there were also some big impressive houses later but while we were having dinner.