. for Janet Pavlik Contributing Writer As I sit in St. Petersburg on the Peterhof Hotel Boat, Deep Cove seems to be worlds away in time and space, as indeed it is. With cold wind and rain one can sce why residents of this norcherly city are sombre _ and serious. However, St. Petersburg is certainly a most elegant and impressive place with wide boulevards and buildings with beautiful facades facing the canals and rivers as far as the ‘eye can see. The Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace of “the Czars is so ornate it cakes your breath away. This is the end of a truly memorable first visit to Russia. ‘Tam a strony advocate of experiencing countries in Europe by river cruising, and travelling on the waterways of the Czarist capitals from Moscow to St. Petersburg aboard the MV Kirov met all my expectations and more. . Arrival at the Moscow ~ Airport is an inuncdiate cul- ture shock to most Canadians who have not tavelled in " Easter’ Europe. The dull inte- with dusty, smoke- smelling halls and low ceilings ._ make the line-ups at the pass- port control desks seem depressing. The group is sud- ". denly quite anxious. But with . the doors open to Russia now one can imagine to some extent their concerns too. With iittle or no pollution controls i:1 place, old buses, uucks and cars spiil out their ; exhaust and we appreciate our home environment. But for our group, we are taken to the Swiss managed, cocoon envi- ronment of our cruise boat the Kirev, moored at the River Boat Terminal. Accommodation is clean and comfortable and for three days in Mescow, an ideal loca- tion for excursions to Zagorsk and sightseeing in Red Square, the Kremlin and the famous GUM Shopping Centre. north shore news <4 ~ TRAVEL tussia from the Vo : Paviik Travel PAVLIK Travet president Janet Pavlik cruising the Volga River onboard the MV Kirov. Skeksna River, White Lake, Volga Baltic Canal, Suir River, Neva Rival and into) St. them the best trom: the west, Proliferation of casinos, reject American movies and rock bands playing in the squares influence many of the voung people. We did, however, see and appreciate the Russian culture. Music is obviously a part of their souls, Our first evening was a delight as the Moscow Orchestra performed a classi- cal folk music concert: with guest soloists trom the Bolshoi Theatre. Choirs singing in churches, art exhibitions by local artists in) the streets, painted dolls sold in open markets, beautifiul lace and lac- quer boxes, Lovely amber jew- elry, T would say Russian Culture is alive and well! But it was now time to commence our cruise. We moved down the Moscow Canal into the Volga River, Petersburg cruising. The first stop ar Uglich ro see the Chapel of Dimitri brought us into the Russian countrs side and it was a shock to see the old ladies begging for a few rubles with their bunches of wild flowers. Needless to say our cabins were adorned with bright marigolds that evening. 4 reminder of the wild inflation thar is taking place in Russia. Neat stop, Yaroslavl a town of 300,000, the capital of the surrounding area. Lots of his- tory, fortresses and = more priceless icons to admire in the churches. The — following morning we arrived in bright sunshine in the small village of Goritzy. A visit to the Kirillov- Monastery and a seven days of the = Rybinsk = Reservoir, Belozersky Russian experience shared JANET Pavlik is hosting a special evening on Russian cul- ture Wednesday, March 4 in downtown Deep Cove at the Deep Cove Cultural Centre at 7:30 p.m. She will be joined by the district sales manager from Leisure Cruises for an evening of slides, Russian music, tea and cookies. Pavlik Travel is booking a cruise for later this year from Sept. 6 through Sepr. 16. Contact Pavlik Travel ar 929- 7911 to RSVP for the special Russian evening. We were there only three ® days after che big celebrations § to commemorate the $50th anniversary of the Foundation of the City and buildings, churches and) monuments were newly painted and shin- ing. Restorations of historical buildings are taking place everywhere and many joint investment projects with Finland, Britain, Sweden, France, the U.S. and Canada are bringing the country for- ward at a fast rate. However, not all ventures bring with | ¢ Airfares, Rail, Car, Bus & Hotels * Budget Touring Biking & Hiking Holidays * First Class Touring * Greek & Mediterranean Cruising Limited seating Please reserve! 926-8511 Ask for Pam or Jennifer B.C. Reg.#2190-6 JE TRAVEL wander around the local mar- ket in the Square made us aware again of the shortages in the rural areas. The Inghlight of the cruise was to be a day spentien Kio? Island! What a magical place! dt is home to one of the most magnificent colleetions of Russian wooden architecture. “Yhe island appears to he che setting for an enchanting Russian fairy tale, with its 22 onion-domed cupolas of the Church of the Transfiguration dooming on the horizon as vou approach, The impressions of 12 davs spent in’ Russia will remain vivid: marniticent: Palace of Peterhot, Ballet oat othe Mariinsky gliding through locks with massive ornate arches, colorful folk singers, streer vendors with their famous stacking dolls. There is so much to see and it is advisable to do it now! I won't be long before Russia catches up with the rest of Europe and this cruise will become outpriced. Theatre, Sunday, February 22, 1998 — North Shore News — 37 7 y lease join us for informative evening on} cruising the Panama Canal with Holland America Wednesday, February 25 - 7:00pm : #8 Carlson Wagonlit Travel : — West Vancouver oifice "Exclusive. OFFER on a September. 29, 1998 sailing: ; -onboard Ms. Noordam! _@ Holland America Line a Pracivyee st ERTL Leek RSVP by February 23 to 922 - 4131 Carlson Wagonlit <= TE Png 5 Ved PH UES | i 2 BOERS © REPS CEPI EPS SE ETE BD YARIS ye FPN LSE More people bave epilepsy than ALS.. Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy combined. 1-888-223-3366 For Mure tufurmation Great Lunch Dates Your personal life is as important as your professional life! Introdections For Professionals Uiroweh Lunch Dates, Seenrere As seen an BCTV News, Please call for more informatian Great Lunch Dates 730-4664 CEMBER-EXCLUSIVED MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE YAdult SOT con, “Child $73 con” Children ages 3-11 Members park FREE at Disneyland? Park!" It's like enjoying “Free Days” at Disneyland® Park. Receive unlimited adrnission for five consecutive days for the price of two! (Approximate S-day value $30us) Visit us today! 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