Our coach dropped us off outside the restaurant which out guide
had booked as part of our tour. When we entered the building we were totally
surprised because the lobby's decor looked very European with gilded mirrors on
the walls, glittering chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and rich velvet
lounges placed strategically around a wide carpeted staircase.
We were greeted in English with
welcoming smiles and ushered into a large well appointed powder room to freshen
up before entering the dining room for lunch. Having not eaten
since 7 am, all of our group were famished and tired for we hadn't stopped to
rest except when on the coach in between our tourist venues. Everyone of
us were expecting a quick snack lunch before we headed out to continue
exploring more of St. Petersburg.
However, we were totally surprised when
we entered the dining room. I thought we'd entered the wrong room because it
looked more like a lavish wedding setting with pure white linen clothed
circular table settings, candles, beautiful crystal tall-stemmed glasses,
triple silver place settings, floral arrangements and chairs
with soft pink satin covers.
There was a huge bar at one end of the
large dining room and a curtained stage area at the other end. When we
looked up at the ceiling we concluded that this venue was also a nightclub
during the evenings because the ceiling not only had chandeliers but it was
completely made of mirrors and reflected all the glitter and glitch of the room.
When we looked at the menu we realised
we were being treated to a five course lunch and the food was very up market.
We began with an anti-pasta plate which was accompanied with warm freshly baked
bread rolls and wafer biscuits. Next we we were served a cold beetroot soup
(known as borscht). It had a lovely flavour and was topped with a generous
dollop of sour cream. We had a choice with the main course. Some people
had red salmon with vegetables but Ken and I had a delicious chicken bake with
cheese and all kinds of sautéed vegetables. Wine and soft drinks were also
served for everyone. We all really enjoyed this meal but wondered how we could
fit any more food in when the dessert arrived. It looked very decadent and
inviting but some of us could not eat it and would love to have had a 'doggy
bag' to take it away and eat later in the day. The dessert was called medovik
(honey cake) and it was served with thickened cream with blueberries on top.
This cake has 5 thin layers of honeyed pastry layered with chocolate flavoured
cream. Those who managed to eat it were licking their lips and singing its
praises.
Coffee or tea followed with a shot of
vodka on the side. We gave the vodka a miss and hoped that we hadn't offended
our Russian hosts by rejecting the national drink.
Following our very relaxing and
enjoyable lunch we were driven to one of the biggest squares in the city,
Palace Square which is surrounded by many beautiful buildings. One of these
buildings was originally the known as The Winter Palace, the official residence
of the Russian Emperors from 1732 to 1917.
Today, the Winter Palace is the home of
the Hermitage Museum which is situated beside the embankment of the Bolshaya
River on one side and Palace Square on the other.
Standing majestically in the centre of
Palace Square is the Alexander column, named after Empire Alexander I, of
Russia who reigned from 1801 to 1825.
The column with its base is 27 metres
in height, has a diameter of 3.5 metres and weighs 600 tonnes.
This beautifully crafted column was
erected in 1834 in just 2 hours, long before modern cranes existed. Credit must
go to the ingenuity and skill of the craftsmen who erected this striking
edifice.
The column is made from polished red
granite and is topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. The angel's
face resembles the face of Alexander I who led the victory in the war against
Napolean's France.
The pedestal the Alexander Column has
been heavily decorated with bas-relief bronze sculptures. One side of the
pedestal depicts Ancient Roman symbols of Russian armour are depicted on one
side of the pedestal. The relief facing the palace has a plaque displaying the
words, "To Alexander I from a grateful Russia" and the other two
sides have been sculptured with allegorical images that depict the themes of
'Justice and Mercy', 'Peace and Victory' and 'Wisdom and Abundance'. The bronze
work is excellent and striking in its detail.
Standing in the Square we were amazed
at just how massive it was. The beauty of the curved buildings surrounding one
side of the square contrasted with the equally impressive long rectangular
Hermitage building which looked resplendent in the sunlight with its azure blue
and white walls and dazzling gold trimmings.
This huge museum building was to be our
next adventure to explore.
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