At Sea
It is a day of rest as National Geographic Endeavour slices through the Baltic towards our next destination: Gdansk, Poland. The water shimmers brilliantly with the suns reflection, and sea birds fly lazily overhead.
A day at sea is a much needed reprieve after the whirlwind expedition we have just had. In 7 days we have covered 5 different countries, each adding its own unique mark to our voyage. Beginning our journey in St. Petersburg, we were introduced to the excessive glories of old Russia, encompassed in palaces lined in gold and colossal personal monuments. Tallinn, Estonia brought a city of preserved medieval architecture, where one could get lost in the maze of streets, and equally find a hidden treasure there in the form of a cafe or shop. They also have the most polite street vendors around – no haggling or hiding needed. Helsinki, Finland showed us the “no bells and whistles” approach to cities, where functionalism was at its best. Onward to Sweden where the Swedish summer life was in full form; people picnicking in the bright sunshine, munching over crayfish, herring, and cheese, washed down with a shot of aquavit or a beer. And finally Riga, Latvia where this country, recently admitted to the European Union, showed us the spirit of moving forward, heading away from Soviet Era and embracing the European way of life.
So after a week of trying to embrace, indulge, and learn about the countries we have visited, it was time to catch up. Catching up could have been reading the book one brought thinking they might have time to read it, writing in a journal, or simply the ability to take a nap whenever one wanted. However, there was one definite must of the day, and that was to head out on deck for a special treat served up by the chefs; hot dogs and beer!
Poland lies in the distance, and already the excitement and expectation of what lies in this emerging European country has started a buzz onboard, but only so much can be anticipated, and it is truly the hidden treasures yet to be revealed that are awaiting us.
It is a day of rest as National Geographic Endeavour slices through the Baltic towards our next destination: Gdansk, Poland. The water shimmers brilliantly with the suns reflection, and sea birds fly lazily overhead.
A day at sea is a much needed reprieve after the whirlwind expedition we have just had. In 7 days we have covered 5 different countries, each adding its own unique mark to our voyage. Beginning our journey in St. Petersburg, we were introduced to the excessive glories of old Russia, encompassed in palaces lined in gold and colossal personal monuments. Tallinn, Estonia brought a city of preserved medieval architecture, where one could get lost in the maze of streets, and equally find a hidden treasure there in the form of a cafe or shop. They also have the most polite street vendors around – no haggling or hiding needed. Helsinki, Finland showed us the “no bells and whistles” approach to cities, where functionalism was at its best. Onward to Sweden where the Swedish summer life was in full form; people picnicking in the bright sunshine, munching over crayfish, herring, and cheese, washed down with a shot of aquavit or a beer. And finally Riga, Latvia where this country, recently admitted to the European Union, showed us the spirit of moving forward, heading away from Soviet Era and embracing the European way of life.
So after a week of trying to embrace, indulge, and learn about the countries we have visited, it was time to catch up. Catching up could have been reading the book one brought thinking they might have time to read it, writing in a journal, or simply the ability to take a nap whenever one wanted. However, there was one definite must of the day, and that was to head out on deck for a special treat served up by the chefs; hot dogs and beer!
Poland lies in the distance, and already the excitement and expectation of what lies in this emerging European country has started a buzz onboard, but only so much can be anticipated, and it is truly the hidden treasures yet to be revealed that are awaiting us.
