Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Unexpected Sea Day ... Booooo

24 June 08
now heading to Helsinki, Finland


Well we didn't make it into Visby; the rumours last night said we wouldn't. But I got up this morning on my port hours as usual. The deadlights were still open, so when I looked out my port hole I laughed. Actually, I think I just snorted. The swells were ridiculous and basically crashing right near my window. No way were they going to put the tenders in the water. Not to mention everyone would be sea sick. If they did run the tenders, I would have decided to stay on board. And I don't get sea sick very easily at all normally; especially not after being out here on the ship for almost 6 months! I have very good sea legs now. (of course I won't be able to walk when I am on dry land for more than a day during my leave LOL) But even I would have probably been ill.

So I went up at 8am and at 8.30 they made an announcement that they couldn't put the tenders in the water and wouldn't endanger the pax safety (they always like that) so we were leaving for Helsinki and would have another sea day instead. Good thing I went to bed early last night!!

So I have been working on my St Petersburg plans. I don't know if I can escort a tour (the one I want is way too popular) but I was able to get on as an escourt for the ballet! How amazing .. the Russian Ballet performing Swan Lake! OMG!! So I am very excited for that. I would like to be able to get on the Grand St Petersburg tour, but we will have to wait and see. I am keeping my fingers crossed. The thing I want to see the most is the Chuch of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Sounds wierd - but you all know it. (in case you don't, here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Savior_on_Blood ) It is probably the most popular site in St Petersburg. Anything after that would be icing on the cake. I will see how it goes. We have two days there .. but I only have a day and a half as the 2nd day we are there I am going over to Ventura for a late lunch with Jacques, the MTN manager on board. We have become good pals over the last few months, so I am excited to finally meet him! (plus I will get a tour of the ship - which is the newest of the P&O fleet; only was launched in April)

I guess I could always pay for the tour if I had to ~ being in St Petersburg, I don't want to miss anything. It might be expensive, but I extended my contract for me to be able to see this city!

Tomorrow is Helsinki, so I am off to search CruiseCritic.com for things to do and what to see!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Sorry you are having bad weather. But your plans for St Petersburg sound great. Hope you get the tour so you don't have to pay but I think it would be worth it if you had to pay for it. I didn't recognize the church until I saw the link. Seen it before but didn't know the name. How cool to go there and the ballet. You are just experiencing so much.

Enjoying the updates as always.