Oh, that was a long day but we made it and the dreaded security check at the Airport was not a problem and the folks were very nice. Our driver meets us but his English is not good and our Russian is limited to a toast when drinking Volka. But he knows how to get to our hotel but it still takes a bit.
This is a big City of 5 million and second only to Moscow in size. Moscow is a big 15 million. But Saint Petersburg is the most European of Russian Cities and we already see statues and buildings that make clear this is a city with culture.
We are treating ourselves and staying at the Official State Hermitage Hotel and it is a beauty and I am sure Tina will throw in some photos as proof. And are they nice - just cannot do enough for us. Tina is feeling a bit better but all I want to do is get horizonal and under covers for a few hours.
Get this - Tina and Krim have pre-arranged a driver through the hotel that will take them shopping. Up comes the driver in a Jaguar and carries the ladies bags as he escorts them to a few of the choice stores where they are treated very nicely. Our timing could not be better as the dollar is very strong and the Russian Ruble is very weak. One Ruble is worth 17 cents. I buy a large bottle of coke for 100 Rubles and it is like $1.85.
Our rooms are excellent with heated floors in the bathroom, turn down service nightly, a welcome fruit bowl, a roof top open air restaurant, an Italian Restaurant and a Russian Restaurant. Service is beyond and they aim to please at every level. And they are very friendly - not at all the sour, downcast eyes we expected.
Oh my, and every afternoon to early evening they have music in the lobby, live music! Here is an example of the enjoyment!
We have fallen in love with the place.
We like to try the local stuff and the chef takes notice and appreciates our open attitude. So, our waiter, who by the way is one charming guy, brings a message from the chef that he would like to prepare for us a seven course meal the following night that will be very special. The price? 3,000 Rubles each person plus wine. It amounts to about $60 each but I will always remind Krim of the 3,000 dinner I arranged for her pleasure. Can you imagine for $60 a 7 course meal in a beautiful restaurant with excellent food? We said "Start Cooking!"
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