St. Petersburg

We just finished up two days in St. Petersburg, Russia. We were non stop sightseeing and taking in the city. The first day we checked into our lovely hotel...wait I meant dumpy hotel. It has been the worst so far, but we've been told that the hotels in Scandinavia are much much much much much better. Staying in hotels in Russia has been like going back in time. Russia hasn't yet figured out the hot water thing.
That night we got dressed up and went to a Russian Ballet. They performed Swan Lake and most everyone slept through at least part of it. The next day we were out all day long taking in all the sights. The highlight moment for both of us was the Hermitage museum. We ate a really good meal (and actually got full) at the hotel that Hitler planned to have his victory party at after taking over Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Then we climbed the stairs to the top of St. Isaac's Cathedral for a beautiful view of the city. Followed that with a canal cruise, visit to a store to shop for Faberge eggs and stuff, then a traditional Russian dinner.
Today we are on our way to Finland, driving through some beautiful scenery. Good Bye Russia!(wait...our Tour Manager just reminded us that we have to cross the border still - potentially another twelve hour fiasco...ugh.)