The Red Arrow

There are some traditions that I enjoy. Last night the carriage attendants all stood at attention next to their doors as we boarded the Grand Express 'The Red Arrow' to St Petersburg, and the military music blared from the platform loudspeakers as we pulled out just before midnight. Its called the Red Arrow as its painted red, and the Tsar decided to survey the best route between the two cities by pulling out a ruler and drawing a straight line on the map, and telling them that this was where they were going to build it.

A first class sleeper cabin this time - really no difference to the second class sleepers on the Trans-Siberian, except that there were only 2 beds instead of 4. Morning saw us woken by our Provodnitsa bringing us our кофе, then a few minutes later the bill. One step up from the Trans-Siberian - we even had arrival music blaring when we got to St Petersburg around 8am.

Coffee and croissants near the station for breakfast while we waited for the hostel to wake up. Left our baggage and went to explore the town. Certainly different to Moscow. The buildings look French, the canals make it look like Venice, but the people are still gruff Russians. Almost every food shop has free wi-fi advertised in the window.

Walked miles down Nevsky Prospekt from one end to the other, and finally got to the huge, grand Winter Palace, which we left to explore another day. Across the bridge to the Peter and Paul fortress, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral in time for the firing of the midday cannon, and then sat with our legs dangling over the canal in the sun looking at the city facade. As we were leaving, we came across a crowd watching a rocket launching competition, presumably school kids and their projects. Stupidity award of the day goes to the helicopter pilot trying to film it.

Back through the gardens and down the canals past the magnificent Church of the Resurrection built on the spot that Alexander II was assassinated. Really, the Tsars didn't have a good time of it.

Pancake lunch, then a long walk back to the hostel. Quite a cramped environment for 26 people, but well appointed, and the price is good. We have the only private bedroom, and the facilities are shared unisex.

After a bit of a sleep to make up for the late night, we headed off to look for some tea, eventually having Russian Japanese. You have to laugh. Passed a Harley Davidson going down the Prospekt. Full leathers, black helmet, high handlebars, music system heard from streets away - but he was listening to the Bee Gees - 'Staying Alive'. Whatever happened to 'Born In The USA'?

кофе - coffee