Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

[drron]

Guess I couldn't be Stalin's double-

And his chess set-really didn't matter whether he played black or white he usually won-

Then his office-

And many photos of family and important meetings-

An impressive meeting room but more humble family dining room-

We were told everything here was original so it appears Russia was more technologically developed than was thought-

And another of his sporting prowess.This is his billiards cue-those who have weilded a cue will note that the tip is larger than usual-

Not only that but the cue was filled with lead to give mim even more of an advantage-guess he would have been a sore looser.
Then we saw the real reason he had the Georgian Tower built-

Hope you are not bored but a few more pics to come.

 

[drron]

More of his office-

His bed suggests he really wasn't physically big-

And a nice little verandah outside-

Apparently Stalin didn't personally sign any documents making an aide do so-

The Dacha is now a Private hotel and reputed to charge up to $US800 a night!

On the drive back to the Wind we noted all the typical Western fast food outlets even our favourite-

No problems going through Immigration but customs revealed some interesting Ringlish-

Without the lunch and going to Stalin's Dacha on the way to or back from the Observation Tower would have made this an easy half day tour.Instead many felt it poor value
Back on the boat I was stiil tired as it had been very hot.Tried to have a nanny nap but Charley bought us our afternoon tea scones as mrsdrron had said she loved scones.
once again had dinner in the Restaurant with the Californian couple and a couple from Darwin,he an engineer working on contracts with ANZ-a great evening so I have totally forgotten what we had.We were even late for the Billy Joel concert-which again was good.

Next-we arrive in Yalta,Crimea,Ukraine.

 

[drron]

Yalta was another of my must see places.The Yalta conference site was the last major conference site of WW2 that I had not been tnce again it was breakfast on the verandah as we came into port-

And once again all the locals were out at the beach-

And once again a lot of building actvity-

Also signs of conspicuous wealth-

We were feeling very refreshed as we had an extra hour to sleep overnight.looking forward to our tour.The first signs though weren't encouraging-

However Ukrainian Immigration was much eaier than Russia-just walk past the agent with your passport opened at the photo page.Coming back we didn't even have to take out our passport.
We were on the Best of Crimea tour and our guide was much better than the one in Sochi.First stop at the St.Alexander Church.That next.

 

[drron]

First shots of us coming to the dock,not very impressive-

Then to the church-

It was Sunday and the church was packed.Even though we were told we could go inside most thought it inappropriate.There was enough to see outside-

More to come.

 

[drron]

One reason for high Church attendance could be because they think of young families-

But probably not because of the restrooms-

Some of the transport had seen better days-

After the Church it was on to the Lividia Palace,the site of the Yalta Conference.Those interested in militiary history would recognise these photos-

The place of the first photo as it is today-

More of the palace to come.

 

[drron]

The whole of the ground floor of the Lividia Palace is a museum of the Yalta conference.The palace itself is impressive and no wonder Stalin chose it-

There are usually photos with the original settings still in place-

Some impressive rooms-

And decorations-

And some more functional-

Of course the Lividia palace was already in existence and has a place in history as the Summer Palace of the last Tsar,that is next.

 

[drron]

The palace was rebuilt by the last tsar-Nikolai the second.He only got to use it on 4 occasions before he and all his family were executed 95 years ago.

The second floor of the palace is now a museum fo this family.There is a large carpet said to be original showing the Tsar,his wife and only son who had haemophilia-the family was related to the British Royal Family.

Obviously much of the palace is not as it was ptior to the Revolution.most things of value almost certainly disappeared.It is said though to be reproduced as it was-

Some beautiful rooms-

Next the grounds,views and the Romanov's chapel.

 

[drron]

Trees dominated the land in front of the Lividia palace-

But did not stop some magnificent views-

Next to the palace was the Romanov chapel-it was part of a previous palace used by Nikolai's father.nikolai was married here so wanted the chapel kept when the palace was rebuilt-

Again it was Sunday and the chapel was full.These young children were singing outside.
Next the Vorontsov Palace which was Winston Churchill's accommodation during the conference.

 

[drron]

The Vorontsov Palace didn't seem as grand as the Lividia-

But the views were spectacular-

Most of the rooms were modestly furnished-

But an impressive internal sculpture garden-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

But there were impressive rooms as well-

With some interesting art-

The cat amongst the seafood is a nice touch.
Outside were the gardens that WC liked to walk in-

This lion though was his favourite.He said it looked like him-

Though I am sure he also enjoyed the billiards table as well-

Next-to a local restaurant for lunch.

 

[drron]

The local restaurant was a large affair over several levels.It was outside and the temperature was 39C(102F).So it was slightly uncomfortable.

We started with a small salad and then a pancake with salmon roe-

The main was stewed veal with cheese and vegetables and dessert was "a cake"-

The lunch was accompanied by a glass of Crimean red wine-glasses were already on the table when we arrived.We declined tea or coffee due to the heat.But the reason we plus several other bus groups were here was the view-

The Swallow's Nest castle.
After lunch it was off to Anton Chekov's house.That next.

 

[drron]

Anton Chekov,physician and writer,I read during my Uni days-I went through a Russian phase.He only moved to Yalta after he finally agreed to be examined and was diagnosed with TB.His life story is interesting and despite our guides enthusiastic words Chekov had called Yalta his"hot Siberia".So as usual to the pictures-

He loved gardens,planting trees at all his residences over the years.He did a pretty good job.He moved to Yalta with his mother and sister.He married after he moved to Yalta but his wife continued to live in Moscow.Now the house-

As you can see fairly modest.Now the kitchen and front entrance-

Chekov died at a German spa resort.It is said his physician prescribed a glass of champagne which Chekov drank then promptly died.Not a bad way to go!
From there it was back to the ship at 1600.We were exhausted but found this tour much better organised with a very good guide and quite reasonable value.
We were going to have a nanny nap but The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel had just started so we watched it again-a very good film.Whilst watching a platter of sliced fruit arrived-we had not ordered it but it was greatly appreciated.
We went to the Panorama lounge at 1900 and it was Name that Tune night.A couple from Vermont invited us to join them.Enjoyed their company and by some miracle we came second.I got an extra point by being able to sing Jamaica Farewell.So it was then off to dinner with our new friends.As it also turned out we will meet again in November on the Cloud.A very enjoyable night.
Next-Sevastopol.

 

[drron]

First just a picture that took my fancy on the return to the Wind in Yalta,a new meaning to undercover parking-

Unfortunately just before dinner the previous night mrsdrron developed the symptoms of food poisoning.Definitely not from anything on the ship-lunch was our suspect.Fortunately our tour in Sevastopol had a slightly later start at 0930 so she was at least settling by then.
On the way to dock passed old forts-

The tour we had chosen was Balaclava and the Secret base.Being educated in the 50s in Australia we were taught all things british.The Charge of the Light Brigade struck a chord with most young boys.The second and third verses have lines not to be forgotten-
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew

Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them

Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell

Rode the six hundred.
So in this next picture we are standing where the British Commander Lord Raglan was.The light Brigade was under the hill out of sight.Raglan wanted them to advance across the rise where houses are now as Russians were taking captured British artillery back to the Russian lines-

Instead they attacked up this valley where the main Russian artillery was-

They came under heavy fire just beyond the vineyard in the distance.The middle tree in this photo is said to be where the first casualties were incurred-

 

[drron]

Just below us was artillery from a much later conflict-these were in fact German artillery pits-

On the top of the hill was a collection of Russian weapons-

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coughddHJjfoM/UAry4239xtI/AAAAAAAAtwo/qZYCQ8zPymU/s400/black%2520sea%2520441.JPG

Next-the Secret base.

 

[drron]

So here comes the Secret base.First an aerial photo at the conclusion of WW2-

And then in the 50s-

Then our group entering and then looking back at the town of Balaclava-

They even have boat tours through the base-

And then the dry dock-

Walked some long tunnels-

With little surprises-

More to come.

 

[drron]

Massive doors to protect against attack-

Some of the weaponry-

Couldn't help a Dr.Strangelove act-

In the dry dock was this fish with a massive tumour and swimming in circles.Many thought it was due to the nuclear powered submarines-

But like many nuclear facts this one also had no basis-the nuclear powered or armed subs were too big to use this base.
And the base as seen from the other side of the harbour-

Once again plenty of money in the harbour plus Ukraine's finest-

And the reason why Balaclava harbour was picked for this base,the harbour entrance-

After touring the base we were taken to a restaurant and had a soft drink,then wandered around the small town area.I voted Ukraine though the place with the tackiest souvenirs though.The tour though was everyting I expected and good value.
Back to the ship and lunch by the pool again.It was then time for a nanny nap as it was Venetian Society coughtails that night.
That next and on to Odessa.

 

[amaroo]

Couldn't help a Dr.Strangelove act-

Classic - pity you didn't pack the hat!

 

[drron]

Back home now so time to finish this report.first a few more shots of Sevastopol.The Crimea was given to the Ukraine in 1952 by Kruschev.Now the Russians regret it.Sevastopol though still remains a major Russian Naval base and just to make sure everyone knows it is this-

Even though a large Russian naval flotilla had left here for Syria the week before there was ample evidence of their navy-

Not all was in good shape-

One of the nicer buildings in Sevastopol was the original naval headquarters-

But there was abundant evidence of the Soviet era-

That night however as I said before was the Venetian coughtail party.many people with several hundred nights got a mention.After that we had dinner with the Safety Officer,Tim Cashman.As you can tell from his name he is Dutch.Another great night.Dining also with us an American and an English couple.My meal was Carpaccio,tomato soup,rack of lamb and a cheese plate just to give you an idea of the variety of meals available.

The next day it was once again breakfast on our balcony as we steamed into Odessa.That next.

 

[drron]

First some photos as we entered Odessa port-

Some serious work going on-

We really didn't think the tours here would be that interesting for us and we knew from our research that Odessa was mainly flat and reasonably laid out so our intention was to get the shuttle into town and then walk.it really was a good way to see Odessa.We got the 9am shuttle and you are dropped at a square near some of the major attractions.A church-

A statue of the Duc De Richelieu who was asked by Tsar Alexander 1 to become the Governor of Odessa as his head was in peril in Paris he readily agreed and Odessa has a very definite French feeling.

just over the road from the square is the passage-a shopping precinct-

With an interesting sign in one shop window-

More of Odessa next.

 

[drron]

There are some magnificent buildings in Odessa-

The French influence is obvious-

The detail is incredible-

Of course not everything fits with the French style-

We walked up the main boulevarde-a wide tree lined street with the centre a park with markets and playgrounds.Also some interesting sculptures-

We walked up to the main Orthodox cathedral.That next.