St Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe. It is built on a river delta so is full of canals and waterways and has over 340 bridges. They say it is the most European of any city in Russia.
I got here at 7.30 this morning after the stuffup last night, and headed straight for the metro. I have worked out the metro in Moscow so this one should be easy, there are not as many lines. It took me a few goes but I think I have got it sussed. The stations here are a lot deeper and they are further apart. On the crossover stations you walk about 500mtr between stations. The Hotel was also pretty easy to find so I got here early. I dumped my bags and headed off for some breakfast. While I was out I thought I would go and check out some sights, so I headed to SS Peter & Paul Fortress. This was built by Peter the Great as defence against any possible attack from the Swedes. It was never used as a fort and became a summer home for Tsars and their wives. There was some kind of millitary parade going on so I watched that for a while. Also on the way there I saw a mosque that was modeled on Emir Gur Mausoleum in Samarkhand. Im sure you will recognise it when you see it. Got a couple of pics of the stations as well. It will be an early night for me tonight and tomorrow some more sightseeing

I didnt sleep well last night, the rain kept me awake. I rained all night. I thought about getting up and going to get some pics at night. It is hard to get pics of the places lit up cos we have 18 1/2 hr of daylight. The rest is about 4hr twilight and 1 1/2hr darkish. I had a bludge today and went shopping. I only bought 1 T shirt. I moved into a private room today for the last 2 nights here. It is bliss. I went to the supermarket and got a loaf of Turkish bread, some cheese, some of that nice horse meat salami that I like and a couple of beers. I'm having a big night in tonight.
For the last couple of weeks I have thought I was loosing weight. My belt was getting loose and I had to put a couple more holes in it. I discovered today it was the belt had broken. Bloody cheap Bali belts dont last like they used to. After I chucked it out I couldnt find a new one. There are people selling them on every corner...til mine breaks, then no one to be seen.

My last night here so I went out and got some pics in the semi darkness. I went at 1.30 and it was as dark as it was ever going to get. By the time I got home at 4.30 it was daylight. You will notice in some of the pics the glow of the sunrise. I went down by the river and the bridges were open. They have draw bridges to let the ships in at night. They stay open most of the night so if you live on the wrong side of town you have to get home on time or wait til tomorrow. Also down there were a group of hippies drumming and fire twirling. They all had dreadies and looked like they hadnt had a bath in a month. I felt like I was in Freo.

My last morning in Russia and the weather has turned for the best. The last two days have been the best weather since I left China, typical just when I gotta go home. I went down to the Marinsky Theatre and got a photo but they wouldnt let me in there also, these people justdont seem to realise how cultured I am.