RUSSIA: The Hermitage and The Hunter's Punishment

A good reading!
Hi Tab. While we are surrounded by bushfires in Sydney you are probably surrounded in snow at your home in Canada. The secure vaults of the Hermitage were No Photos Allowed, but the Hermitage itself which is the old Winter Palace had no restrictions on photos at all. Hope you get into the paintings as well...just a taste of one of the largest art collections in the World.

On going to St Petersburg
I would have thought from Sweden to St Petersburg, for you would be like visiting your neighbour, Ake. However, I suggest you go through a visa agency. My investigations indicate you can visit St Petersburg visa free for 72 hours if you travel via Helsinki on a particular ferry and stay in designated listed hotels, but you have to book 4 days ahead. Otherwise, from 1 October 2019 you can apply for a 30 day e-visa as Sweden is an approved country. Yet I am unaware if you would be successful applying for a visa at the Russian border for 72 hours or otherwise. As an Australian I certainly could not apply at the border and definitely can not seek to extend a 30 day tourist visa, as I investigated that for our recent trip. We ended up being booked on a flight out of Moscow 5 minutes before our 30 day Tourist Visa expired. But that's another story!

Are you sure you were in Russia?
I perceive you get it Ralf. I can see you having a lazy raft down a slow moving river, taking your sweet time seeing and sensing everything. I can relate to that. Do you like me, also quite like getting lost.?

The Hermitage
The Summer Palace is my last blog as Tsarkoye Selo with my Russian History summary, John. Check it out. As to the Hermitage, times have changed since 2008. Not only are folks smiling, but flashbulbs are either banned or no more. There are no restrictions on photography other than at the secure vaults which are at a different location. Also the nationality of visitors has been expanded significantly. You make a good point that many are too busy photographing to look at what is in front of them. As most like us were in tour groups there is pressure to keep moving as there is much to see. To dwell can risk being left behind. My balance was to take as many pics of paintings as I could so I could enjoy later as otherwise they would be forever hazy or forgotten. But there were times I had the chance to enjoy the now of the looking and do my best with limited time to morph into the then of the paintings. But many just pass by and their looking is nothing more than fleeting glances at best. Those that are interested dwell a while 'cos that is what they do. Hope you enjoyed my pics of the paintings as well. I feel fortunate that thanks to Travelblog, I have preserved my memories so I can revisit as often as I please.

I had to pinch myself to realise it wasn’t a dream
Thank you Mary for keeping in touch. That you spend the time to comment on my blog is appreciated as the blog is my take of a unique Russian adventure not just for Denise and I, but for all of us. A big "Hi and Christmas cheer" to Peter & you from both of us.

The Hunter's Punishment
I am pleased you have also been drawn to this painting, Ren. The hunter in the painting bears a likeness to John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen (1604-1679) whose image is clearer in the Rabbit Hunt picture. It was John Maurice that was proposed to lead the Dutch Republic during the minority of William III, but I understand it did not eventuate.

Journey through the Hermitage
You got it Tommy...'cept 'twas more like surfing than gliding! But the memories endure and Russia's beauty including incredible artworks were everywhere to see. More serendipity to share...more to come.