Yaroslavl - Russia

We awoke this morning to find our area covered in dense fog. Under Russian maritime rules, vessels come to a halt when the visibility drops below a certain level.

(L - A passing ship comes out of the gloom)

This time we were lucky and managed to keep going. (Later we were forced to stop near and coming in to St Petersburg and also traveling across the White Lake to Goritsy - so in both cases the guides had to devise a Plan B, which they did very well.)

(L - As the mist started to clear we were treated to some interesting sights)

(R - The sun climbed and burned off the fog - to give a beautiful day)

(R - There are many cruise boats operating on this connection between Moscow and St Petersburg)

(R - At Yaroslavl we disembarked and boarded our luxury coaches for the day's events)

(L - In most Russian cities there is a statue of Lenin, the founder of the early Communist system)

(R - Church of Elijah The Prophet)

Yaroslavl is located 250 kilometers north east of Moscow. The historical part of the city, a World Heritage Site, is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl Rivers. It is one of the Golden Ring cities, a group of historic cities northeast of Moscow that has played an important role in Russian history.

Preceded by Viking sites such as Timerevo from the 8th or 9th centuries, the city is said to have been founded in 1010 as an outpost of the Principality of Rostov Veliky. It is now about the 3rd largest city in Russia.

During the years of the Second World War Yaroslavl managed to escape German occupation of the city, since the Wehrmacht did not manage to break through the Soviet defence lines surrounding Moscow. Due to its location as a large transportation hub, and since the 1913-built railway bridge over the Volga in Yaroslavl was the only point at which to cross the river, the city became a major target for air raids during 1942-1943, and many buildings were completely destroyed. Most of the city's industry, including the automobile, tyre and textile plants, were converted, during the war, to produce armament and equipment for the Soviet Red Army.

(R - Our first stop was at the local Art Museum, which includes Russian Icons (XIII-XVII Cent), pictures of Russian artists of XVIII and XX, Cent, and masterpieces of ornamental art).which is set out as the home of one of the earlier nobles)

(L - We were welcomed by a small orchestra)

(R - And our guides played the parts of the daughters of the House Owner)

(L - At the end our tour the guides selected various members of the audience to join them in one of the old time dances - and I GOT picked, by the LOVELY girl in the orange gown!! Then all were invited to dance to the music - a really superb visit)

(L & R - At our next visit, we saw a group of school children visiting the monument to the fallen from WW II - apparently this is a normal excursion on the first day back at school)

(R - One of the Churches here. We were quizzed about how old we thought that the Church was - we guessed 800, etc years. Surprise, surprise, it is about 5 years old. Being completely destroyed it has been fully rebuilt based on

plans and photographs)


(L - In 2011 the city celebrated its 1001th year since foundation - the park features the city crest along with the 1001 year picked out in flowers)

(R - Near the view over the park, this iron railing carries many padlocks - a Russian custom for weddings when the couple lock the padlock and throw away the key to indicate their pledges. Unfortunately no one could tell us what happens if divorce occurs, and which is apparently at a high rate just as in the west)

(L - Another Church - I learned many more saints of the Russian Orthodox Church, which apparently has different rules for creating Saints than the Roman Catholic Church - and it is much easier!)




(R - On a more earthly note, the cross pieces of the crosses are covered in spikes to frustrate the local pigeons)

(R - We had free time to investigate the local markets - some undercover)

(L - And some in outside tents)


(R - The Transfiguration Monastery)



(L - The Monastery regularly holds competitions in campanology - this is the practice of ringing small bells - not like the large bells rung in Churches. We were entertained by one of the locals, with his own composition - then he offered CDs to buy!!)

(R - We left Yaroslavl and continued)

(L - One of our on-board experts lectured us in the finer points of vodka)

R - After which we had to adjourn to the dining room, to sample five different types of vodka - gee life's hard - con't recall a lot of what else we did that day!!)

(L - Again we sailed off into the sunset - well actually we were heading north!!)

NOTE - I will finish up here, as we have long since left Russia and since then returned home. Thanks for reading!!

Cruise - From Moscow start

We sailed from Moscow around 5.30pm on the Tuesday, and proceeded down the Moskva River. This river circles Moscow, and is joined to the Volga River by a canal.

As we sailed we passed under a variety of bridges for thew Moscow traffic.



(L - We were due to pass through a number of locks on our journey - one consisting of 5 locks in a row. We were due to go through these at 3am, so I got up to watch - but we were late - but I still managed to see some of them later that morning)



Some of our views as we proceed on the journey down the Volga







(L - Our guest lecturer Larisa Kuptsova, provided lectures on Russia - history, demographics, education, politics, etc.)





(L - We had a lecture on Matrushica dolls - the ones that fit inside each other - demonstrated by the Art Director - including one that opens to disclose a bottle of vodka!!)


(R - This dam across the Volga means a drop of around 50 feet)

(L - The nearby locks that allow the ship's passage)



(R - The end gates open for our vessel to sail through)


(L - Another lecture from Anna - this time on vodka - what else would you expect in Russia - this was followed by a vodka tasting party - where we sampled 5 different vodkas. I am afraid that I can't remember much of the rest of the day!)

(R - We arrive at Uglich - pronounced Ooooglitch - and circled into the port.

(L - The passengers leave the ship at Uglich)

(R - One of the old buildings at Uglich)




(L - We had a choral rendition from a 4 man choir - and they had CDs for sale)

(R - The Church of St Dmitry on the Blood and Chambers of Princes of Uglich - we couldn't take photos inside - I found many Saints that I had never heard of!!)

(L - Most Russian cities have some form of markets, and Faye checked them all out!!)





(L - Our evening dinner in a family home was hosted by this lady - who taught me one of the traditional Russian toasts - which involved holding a glass each, then passing your arms through the other ones bent arm, and by bending the arm, drinking from the glass held in the encircling hand. This ended with a nice kiss - but I am not sure if that is all part of the real toast or not???!!)

Our Ship - The AmaKatarina

Our vessel was known as the AmaKatarina, being the latest vessel of the Ama Waterways group.

However, under Russian requirements all vessels have to have a name from some person. And our vessel was named Mstislav Rostropovich. The gentleman was a well known celloist. The vessel has just been through a costly refit. Built around 1968 and grossing around 4000 tons, she carries a Russian crew of around 100.

The entrance part of the ship opens into a lobby area raising to the three levels. Cabins are on Decks 1, 2 and 3. The Front Desk is generally manned during waking hours.

We had cabin 203 on Deck 2, and like most cabins we had a balcony - which we were determined to use - as it was the first one we ever had.


Our cabin desk


The bathroom was slightly larger than the one that we had on the train, but still cupboard size.



Forward on deck 3 we had a lounge along with a bar. This was also used for occasional meetings.



(R - The computer section - adjacent to Deck 3 Dining Room)

In the rear of the vessel on Deck 3, we had a "computer section". The vessel was equipped with an erratic Wi-Fi, and this area had its own computer that could be used by passengers who didn't have their own computers. Naturally the wait could be long for this computer. It was much easier with your own computer!

(L - The computer group tunes in to the net)

(R - On Deck 4 we had an open deck for exercise)


(L - Despite leaving dock some passengers would prefer the rest and sunshine)

(R - The open deck area at the front of Deck 3 - good for viewing the way ahead)



(L - The rear deck area)


(R - Shortly after our first sailing from Moscow we went through the usual lifeboat drills - here are some passengers rigged up in their fashionable jackets)


(L - We had several lessons or hobbies which we could try out - this one was in painting wooden Matrushikas)

(R - One of the students paints her doll)


(L - Our voyage also included a trip to the Bridge to see the ship's officers at work)

(R - Lunches and dinners were extensive with 3-4 courses each time - well over the required levels of calrie intakes)



(L - We had two visits by the Captain - at a welcome dinner and also a farewell dinner - the latter being held 3 days before we arrived in St Petersburg - as for those last few days we were docked!)

(R - What ship would be complete without a gift shop?? On the lobby floor)