Vodka and Cavier: nice

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We left Irkutsk for what would be our longest journey on a train yet - a full three days of nonstop travel. We were actually going first to Moscow, where we spent a day or two before heading off to St Petersburg. We fortunately had a cabin to ourselves so were able to relax and absorb the local behavior from the cabins next to us.

Before we set off we stocked up on noodles, Russian sausage rolls (I was becoming addicted), bread and vodka. No potatoes or cabbage though. Also some books - lots of quality reading time ahead.

After another day's sightseeing we decided to try some vodka...

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The train rumbled on through the unrelenting but fascinating countryside. Much of the train line is lined with pine trees, no doubt planted to keep Russia secret from prying eyes! We passed though many villages full of brightly decorated wooden houses - it is hard to imagine what it is like to live in thee villages when temperatures drop to below 20 or 30 degrees Celsius.

We didn't really get off the train much over the next three days, except to try the local sausage rolls and local beers. We just sat back and enjoyed the ride while soldiers drank, kids played and fellow travelers read, drank tea and slept.

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We arrived in Moscow fully relaxed and ready for more sight seeing, which we duly did before catching the Red arrow to St Petersburg. Very nice train.

Arrived in St Petersburg early morning and decided to walk to the hotel. On our way we bumped into some very friendly, although very drunk, locals. We noticed many people out and about, many with beer. I get the impression that beer is the equivalent to a cola here.

After dumping our bags and showering we headed out to see the sights of St Petersburg. And there are certainly lots of impressive sights here. While walking around we checked the delights of St Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Resurrection (aka Savior of the Spilled Blood) where Tsar Alexander II was mortality wounded by an assassin, The Nevsky Prospect - a great street full of really impressive architecture, Peter and Paul's fortress, then Hermitage to name but a few. St Petersburg really lives up to its reputation as a beautiful and interesting city - we would love to come back here in the winter for the long winter days.

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The interior of St Isaac's is amazing with lots of icons and some fantastically decorated domes. We climbed the 300 steps to the top to admire the views of the city and it's cathedrals which a dotted around the skyline.

After a long day of sightseeing (all by foot) we needed a beer so headed to some of the many bars in the city. The beers of St Petersburg are also very good. And there are many to try.

As we were getting to the end of our trip we decided to treat ourselves before getting back to reality, so spent the next night in the Grand Hotel Europe - one of the best hotels in the city. It was very amusing turning up at the hotel lobby with our travel gear and backpacks! After some quality time in the spa and pool we headed out for more sightseeing.

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The Hermitage was amazing. It is truly an epic art gallery with many many paintings by the known and some from the unknown. Great. We spent a few hours with some our favorites before leaving. It would be possible to spend at least a whole day here, but being on a tight time budget we didn't!

We spent a considerable amount of time wandering the streets of  St Petersburg. There are some amazing parks, which at this time of year were very autumnal. Lots of arts students in the park sketching - very relaxing. After another day's sightseeing we decided to try some vodka and started off in the hotel bar, which had many. We went out for a nice meal and some more vodka.

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Great place. Can't recommend it enough. We could write pages and pages on this place, but we won't. It is much better just to come here and see for yourself.