Drron takes to cruising.The Arctic here we come.

drron · Oct 8, 2010

Sprucegoose I have got to work for a little while now to replenish the coffers.Fortunately i am able to do that and so be able to do these trips.For that I truly am grateful.Now back to the TR.
After leaving the castle we decided to walk back to our hotel as long as the rain held off.certainly there are some beautiful and unusual sights.

Once again we walked to the castle but this time walked around the grounds.

And the view back to town-

And these fellows didn't blink-

We were going to go out to the sculpture park and city museum but the rain decided to return so it was back to the hotel.Because of the rain we decided to eat at La Sangria a spanish restaurant across the road from the hotel.It was very good,the food was great.We had tapas-garlic prawns,mushrooms with garlic and onions,fried chicken with garlic,mussels with tomato,onoin and garlic plus a salad-no garlic.We both finished with an excellent creme caramel.With a half bottle of wine and a beer it was $175-but the best value of the meals we had in Oslo.
Wednesday and a travel day.Started with a light brekkie-putting on too much weight.Then catch the Flybussen-NOK140-but you can pay on the bus with your Amex.Got to the airport at 1030.Unfortunately the AY checkin only opens 2 hours before departure so at 1115.
Next-back to HEL.
But some impressions of Oslo.Very easy to get around.
Oslo card good value.
Pretty place but very dirty,surprised at amount of litter.
Expensive,expensive,expensive.
Had no problems but were often warned to be careful and many signs warning of pickpockets.
Flybussen is very efficient.
Radisson-OK hotel.Service a bit haphazard.If I go back would probably try thr new Doubletree.

drron · Oct 9, 2010

Whilst waiting for the AY checkin to open i did a couple of laps of the airport.being a diligen AFFer I did note that at the BA checkin they were offering instant upgrades to PE.NOK1410($280) to the US/Canada and NOK1840($370) elsewhere.
We were first to checkin when it opened-only 1 agent and J queue got served first in spite of a real urger in the Y line.Through security and mrsdrron finds a couple of things for the grandkids-cost NOK138-the exact amount of cash i have so I leave Norway Nokless.We go to the J lounge which is a third party lounge-BA uses it as well now.I presume you can get in with status as 4 pax in the lounge were in Y on our flight and at least 1 had an Aussie passport.A pleasant lounge,comfortable seating,limited food and drinks.Dispensers for Pepsi,apple and orange juice as well as one for red and white wine-pretty ordinary.Ringnes beer on tap and a coffee machine.2 bottled beers but only bitter lemon and tonic in bottles for soft drinks plus water.English newspapers.

The wine dispensers.
AY656.OSL-HEL.ETD-1315.ETA-1540.
Push back-1310.arrival at gate-1530.
There were 5 of us in the 3 rows of J.We were 2A,B.Lunch served which was a beef stroganoff with mashed taties and lingonberries-tasted much better than it looked.

Only an 80 minute flight.landed in the rain.parked at a remote bay.So we walked out of Finnair into HEL.The puns get worse.There were no airport taxis so we got an ordinary cab-E43.70 but a Merc station wagon so a comfortable ride.We stayed at the Hotel Kamp-great position and if you can get a Z3R rate can be very good value.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es-and-reviews/hotel-kamp-helsinki-25392.html
Next Helsinki.

drron · Oct 10, 2010

After unpacking we walked around the local area and down to South Quay.We bought our 48 hour Helsinki card for 45E(42E if you prebuy online).The area is very attractive.As was becoming usual I once again caught an adorned statue-

We then found the Belge restaurant just 100 metres from the hotel-moules et frittes for 20E.They were really good,I had mine with coconut and chilli broth which was excellent.
Back to the hotel and we had had a turn down service even though a notice in room said it had to be requested.Our waters and a bottle of Italian wine were also present.
The next morning i went across the road to Fazers and got some pastries and cappucinos to take back to the room for brekkie.Then mrsdrron went next door to give the Amex some exercise at the Marimekko shop-sale time.
At 1100 it was time to hop on the bus for a 2 hour city tour which is included with the Helsinki card.There is an audio guide and only 2 short stops at the Church in a rock(Temppeliaukio church) and the Sibelius monument.A good introduction.

The church in the rock.

Sibelius museum.
Next more of Helsinki.

drron · Oct 11, 2010

The next morning we walked down to South Quay for the market.The sun decided to come out for a couple of hours.walking through the market i heard God Save The Queen being played.it turned out the new UK Ambassador was meeting the Finnish President-

We then walked towards the Russian Orthodox church-mrsdrron had been looking forward to seeing a church with onions on top-didn't have to wait for Russia-

Near here there were a few Finnish motorcycle police-looked more like Hell's Angels.

We then walked to the Old Market and picked up some lunch-I had a reindeer kebab.The rain started to come down in torrents so we remained for a while then.We had planned to catch a ferry to S Island but those plans changed so we hopped on a tram up to the centre of town and went to Stockmans-their mega department store.The sales were on and mrsdrron much to her surprise was able to pick up 2 pairs of her favourite German shoes for $100-cost $200 a pair here in Australia.It was then back to the hotel for a nanny nap.
Next-last day in Helsinki.

drron · Oct 12, 2010

On the way back to the hotel we had bought some wine so we had some pre dinner drinks before going out for a meal-beats the high wine prices in restaurants.We once again went to Belges though this time I had the lamb shank and mrsdrron a pasta with prawns and mussels-both were very good.

One of the amusing things at this restaurant is that the upstairs is set out as a library.The menu is printed in a volume of The Adventures Of Tintin and the bill comes enclosed in a small book-

Friday and we begin with breakfast we had bought at the supermarket the night before.We then did a circuit of the city on the number 3 tram-a good way to get around.visited the City museum,City gallery-both because they were on the Helsinki card.Then the Culture museum and the National Gallery where we had a late lunch.The day was August Art day which meant there were buskers all over town-some very good including a string quartet outside the Kamp and 4 guys playing 4 Xylophones just up the street.
We then got the tram out to the Arabia design museum along with the Ittala outlet-some very good stuff but still too expensive even in the outlet.For dinner it was back to Belges for the moules et frittes again.Coming back to the hotel we stopped off at Fazers.We decided we would get in line for dessert-a little sinful.The lines here at night are very long and the first 2 nights we forwent the pleasure.
just a couple of pics to complete-

I dont know what this character was thinking.

Another part of the Sibelius monument.
We really liked Helsinki and look forward to coming back.May even get adventurous hiring a car and driving around other parts of Finland.The weather was not great so there are other things we would like to do in Helsinki.it was much cleaner than Oslo and not as expensive.It is easy to get around,plenty of parks and the people are friendly.I also loved the toilet paper-thick and very soft!
Next-off to Russia.

tgh · Oct 12, 2010

uh .. nobody else is commenting (much..

) ..so will add some.

We loved the PAII and the emotive linkages from this excellent travelogue have been great.

FWIW we have also decide that the Antarctic and South Georgia should have been done last .. as this travelogue tells us that the Arctic would now be pointless.

We have also been in the Baltic on a "floating football field" and "suffered " the today is thursday this must be Helsinki syndrome..

'onya 'doc for seeing a lot more than we...... tho we did manage a fair overview of Saint pete from our aforementioned FFF...... traffic jams not withstanding...

drron · Oct 13, 2010

I wouldn't say the Arctic would be pointless tgh.it is different.you didn't get to see polar bears in the Antarctic did you?We are going to Antarctica at Christmas but on the Orion to Mawson's hut.Probably in a couple of years time all being well we will get back on the PA11 and do the Cape to cape sector-Ushuaia,Falklands,South Georgia,Tristan de Cunha to Capetown.
Now back to the TR.We were up early on Saturday getting a cab to the airport at 0645.No traffic and a quick trip only costing us E35.10.Walked into the terminal and a huge line for AY with no obvious J checkin.Then realised there was more around the corner including the J checkin with absolutely no one else there.Once again we are allocated 2A,C.Through security and I am held up while they decide whether to let my fish oil caps through-a container of 200.Well I can empty them into separate bottles or i do have a 1 litre baggy here which I can just empty the capsules into as I dont have any other liquids.Well OK and through you go.First stop is the tax refund office,then passport control and to the non-Schengen lounge again.quite a few here this morning including several Aussies I presume transitting from Asia.soon empties out and I notice the fireplaces wine and beer dispensers which i missed on last visit.
AY153.HEL-SVO.ETD-0925.ETA-1205
Actual pushback-0920.At Gate-1200
Not many of us on the flight.but 7 of us in J.4 in row 1 and 3 in row 2.Row 3 is empty.We are on an A319.The ABC side is classic European J with A and C seats slightly wider.The DEF side is 3 Y seats.The overheads over row 1 were safety gear.As the fellows in row 1 were last J pax boarded their gear went above row 3.

The 2 in front of us were Russian.They chug a lugged their wine with vodka chasers throughout the flight.So they started before 1000 and in an hour had 6 rounds.
We got a hot brekkie-better than most QF flights into BNE-

After that I had my nap.Ever since retirement sleeping on planes is easy.As soon as the seat belt sign went off the fellows in Row 1 went back to row 3 knocking the lady next to us back into her seat then came back knocking me aside-they were big guys.They were first off and met by an official looking fellow on the airway.later saw them driving off in a large black 4WD bristling with aerials.
Our bags were out first and we were met by the driver from the Hotel National-not economically sensible but much appreciated as it was raining heavily.If you are changing money only change as much as you need to get into town as the rate in central Moscow was much better than at the airport.
Review of Hotel national here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es-and-reviews/the-national-moscow-25403.html
Next-Moscow.

drron · Oct 14, 2010

After unpacking and changing some money we went for a walk.It was raining heavily but there is an extensive underground around Red Sqare so we could keep out of the rain most of the time.Unfortunately mrsdrron found another shoe shop having a sale.We ended up at the Gum department store-now a series of arcades with upmarket shops and downmarket food outlets.The roof also leaked profusely.

There were also brides everywhere having their pictures taken-never seen so many-

The rain was getting even heavier so we went back to the hotel and decided to have dinner there-very expensive but at least we didn't have to go out in the rain again.Food was OK.I started with an entree of traditional Russian marinated veggies ie pickled veggies-

Then duck leg-really rare but nice-

Mrsdrron started with a scallop,tomato and avocado tower-nice and well presented-

She then had Russian beef Stroganoff lots of garlic and pickles-

Whilst we were having dinner there was a wedding reception going on in the main restaurant-we gatecrashed for a little while.
Next-our first day at the Kremlin.

drron · Oct 15, 2010

Now lets be clear,I came to Moscow for one reason only-to see the Kremlin and Red Square.Its just something I wanted to do.We only had 2 full days and the Kremlin took most of that.Mrsdrron also wanted to see churches with "onions" on top-St.Basils took care of that.
So Sunday started with breakfast which was included in our rate.The main restaurant has large windows looking out over the Kremlin-it is on the third floor but i could only count 2-it is the level above the ground floor in this shot-

Then again we were in room 331 on the 5th floor so go figure.Breakfast was OK.Some strange things such as "curd"pancakes and the bacon was so salty as to be inedible.
After brekkie we went for a walk around the Kremlin going via Red Square and St.Basils.Unfortunately Red Square was mostly barricaded off as the next week was a Military tattoo.We did though see some of the units in rehearsal and later walking around the Kremlin it was great to hear the 1812 overture with real cannon-it was after all being put on for the anniversary of the Battle of Borodino.The rain was getting heavier but we had old gear and trusty hotel umbrellas.We walked down to the river and to the other end of the Kremlin where the entrance was for the Armory-a museum of Russian Imperial treasures-or is it like Beijing and these are all reproductions?I am a great cynic.We had tickets for midday-700R.though when we were inside there is a museum in the museum-the diamond Foundation-another 500R.Lots of expensive stones and jewellery.It is all a bit over the top but some incredible pieces of history here.After this i was down to my last 4 roubles so it was back to the hotel to get some more.
So a few shots of the view from our hotel.

next-the Moscow picture show.

JeniSkunk · Oct 15, 2010

Drron, I do hope that your excellent photos of Moscow were taken using proper Russian camera gear.

Jenifur Charne

drron · Oct 17, 2010

Well Jeni I am afraid mine are only from non approved Sony Point and Shoot.Mrsdrron has gone upmarket with a Sony Nex5.I am afraid I wont be touching the Russian equipment.So now a few non approved shots around the Kremlin,first by mrsdrron-

The souvenir stalls outside the Kremlin and Red Square.Not cheap,kept open even though heavy rain,and some strange people-we saw people shooting up in front of these stalls despite a lot of visible security people.

On our way to the GUM dept store.

The ads for the Military Tattoo on the week after our visit-pity.
Next mrsdrron's pics of St.Basils.

drron · Oct 17, 2010

Mrsdrron was happy to see all those onions!

Next drron's pics.

drron · Oct 18, 2010

As I said Red square was basically inaccessible-

Behind St.Basils a tent city was taking shape-

By the time we got to the river the weather was decidedly worse-

And there were some impressive buildings there-

Next some more from mrsdrron.

drron · Oct 18, 2010

A lovely day for a river cruise-

View of the Kremlin from the river-

And the view from the queue to get into the Armory-the site of a brush with fame 24 hours later-

Next-an interesting night.

drron · Oct 19, 2010

After replenishing our roubles we went for a walk upTverskaya road,turned down Kamergarskij(a lot of restaurants here) and down to the Central Department store(Tsum).lots of rollers,Mercs,Audis,Lexi etc parked outside.As we entered we were followed by a security person who tagged us for a while-we probably looked as though we didn't belong-much too upmarket for us.Went to the food dept-a Moet bar etc.Amaxed at the price of food-raspberries $40 for 250gm.Nothing cheap.
Then walked up to Petrovysky passage-a smaller version of GUM but undergoing renovation.So back to the restaurants and went to Cafe Chekov-though you wont find that name on the building-in Cyrillic looked like exoBb.Much cheaper than hotel but obvious problems in translation.I started with borscht-one ingredient listed as apple but was potato-OK though.Then I had a dish listed as Russian meatballs-turnedout to be fishcakes!Mrsdrron had the Stroganoff again.With a beer and glass of wine-1840R($73).

ine-

Walking back to the hotel it was still light at 2000 and a nice view-

next-back to the Kremlin.

drron · Oct 20, 2010

Some of mrsdrron's pics of Kremlin decorations-

What bullet hole?

drron · Oct 20, 2010

On the Monday it was grey,overcast,cold and windy but the rain kept away most of the day.It was back to the Kremlin and we did the Ivan the Great Bell Tower tour-500R.This gets you into all the other museums in Cathedral Square.There were only 9 on the tour,English audio guide,137 steps up but you do it in 3 parts so even we had no problems.Great views at the top made it very worthwhile-i would thoroughly reccomend this tour.
After going through all the museums we walked the Secret Gardens-the cavalry were going through their paces for the Tattoo and the bands once more struck up with the 1812 Overture.We walked out the South entrance.Mrsdrron had to use the conveniences.i was standing around outside the Presidential offices surrounded by a Russian sporting team.a big black merc draws up.A security fellow and driver jump out with their hands inside their coats,then a smaller fellow jumps out and shakes hands with a few of the team.was about to shake my hand but obviously realised i was not part of the teram and jumped back in the Merc.it was not until the next day when his picture was in the Moscow News i realised it was Mr Medvedev the Russian President.Ah my brush with fame.
Now for some more pics-

Now thats a gun!

drron · Oct 20, 2010

Next-off to a Moscow bar.

drron · Oct 21, 2010

After my brush with fame we walked south across the river to seek out a Moscow bar-it is managed by an Australian who was in our son's year at Wharton in Philly.called Garage-but you wont find that name either.looks like-Tapa>K.In Brodnikov street and recognisable by the rear end of a Pink cadillac over the door-