Bevertey J. Bailey
Contributing Writer

RUSSLA — Wow!
What a wonderful ‘
country. I was so lucky
to have visited this fan-
tastic destination last
year — full of history,
magnificent sites, beau-
tiful countryside,
friendly proud people...
we experienced it ail.

Prior to leaving for Russia,
{ had had my doubts as to
whether it was a good idea to
travel there. Media reports had
been very negative.

We visited nwo major cities
as well as several country
towns and at no time did we
tecl unsafe or threatened.

What we did see however,

. Was spectacular.-To list just a
few of the. sights —we saw
The Kremlin, Red Square, The
Armoury Muscum, Hermitage * ’
“Museum and Winter Palse c,
The Great Palace’ at
Petrodvorets, Catherine’s
Palace and much more.

° ¢ Our sip began in Moscow
where,'on arrival at the air-
port, we were met and trans-
ferred:zo the riverboat Kirov.

< This would be our home for
the next 12 nights. The ship
carties 186 people, is Sw

“managed and has all food

imported from Europe as well
as.a European Chef.

‘The ship is small and inti- ©

prepaid before departure,
included all meals and most
sightseeing.

The group was provided
with an excellent Russian
guide who stayed with us for
the entre journey. His English
and knowledge of Russian hi
tory and art were incredible.
We spent two very busy days
sightseeing ia Moscow — Red
Square and the Kremlin were
among the highlights for me.
Then we were off, sailing
north on the Volga River
towards St. Petersburg.

The Volga-Baltic Waterway
made up of rivers, lakes, man-

smade canals and locks was
built by Stalin in the 1930 s,
to connect land-locked

p Early

Moscow with St. Petersturg.

Our cruise would cover a
distance of 2,000 km, 18 locks
with a total drop of 760
metres. Stalin had 700 villages
flooded ia order to complete
the task of building canals and
reservoirs.

Over the next several da
we sailed along the river, visit-
ing small towns, secing mag-
nificent churches, wonderful
friendly people, sampling
interesting food and drink,
and shopping along the way.

Lazy days at sea were spent
listening to guest lectures, °
viewing informational videos,
sampling Russian cooking, and’:
taking Russian language _.
lessons Or you could simply
catch up on sleep, read a°

See Visiting Page RV

Christmas

Gifts ©

os o4 Color Pack ,
Potala Perm haa re 852)

mate with many nice public
“rooms and @ warm friendly
feeling. Our holiday P package,

allay: and cruise expert lain:Perkins will speak ~
‘about cruising: Aussla Swiss style in. Roseway Travel’s West Vancouver. offices ©
106-100 Park: Royal South) ol ednesday, Dec..1 at 7 'P. mn. RSVP to 926-4344.

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