Sandy's Travels 2016 - 2018: Baltic Cruise

Baltic Cruise - July 2016

July 19-20, 2016 - Orlando to London

I was very fortunate to get the last cabin and a special rate on the Silversea Silver Wind sailing to the Baltic Sea from the Tower Bridge in London. I arrived a day early and spent a day with my friends Norman and Ann Shuker. We visited Chenies Manor House and I was in the same room that Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I stayed in. The Manor and the grounds were magnificent. When I got home I watched two episodes of Midsomer Murders that were filmed in and around the manor.

July 21, 2016 - London

The following day I took the Tube to the Silver Wind. It was docked next to the battleship, HMS Belfast but I had to cross Tower Bridge and take a boat across the Thames to board the ship. We actually boarded the Belfast to gain access to the Wind. After the life boat drill I went to Leicester Square and bought a ticket to see Funny Girl. It was amazing and the star was spectacular. I could imagine Barbara doing the same over 50 years earlier. We left London, passing under the raised Tower Bridge at 3:00 am.

The London Eye at night

About to sail under Tower Bridge

July 23, 2016 - Kiel Canal Crossing

The Kiel Canal is a shortcut from the North Sea to the Baltic. It took almost the entire day but it was very relaxing and scenic. We repeat the experience on the way back to London.

July 24, 2016 - Copenhagen, Denmark.

The weather was hot and sunny. I walked for over three hours visiting the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn Harbour with its colorful buildings, Christianborgs Palace, Tivoli Gardens, the main railway station, and the Rosenborg Palace.

Too bad it was closed at 10:00 am

Nyhavn Harbour

David in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid

July 25, 2016 - Vesby, Sweden

Vesby is a resort island with a walled city. The weather was perfect for the beach, which was crowded with vacationing Swedes. I walked through the town, getting lost on the winding roads.

Gate to city in Vesby

July 26, 2016 - Stockholm, Sweden

I have been so lucky with the weather. In Stockholm I tried to collect my Nobel Prize, I'm not picky, I would accept in any category. In the Old Town I saw the town hall, the Parliament and the royal palace. I then crossed a few bridges to visit the ABBA Museum. As we sailed away, we saw our first raindrops.

I tried to collect my Nobel Prize, but they lost it.

Parliament

All the buses and trams in Stockholm had Pride flags

Why not?

July 27, 2016 - Tallinn, Estonia

The last time I was here I remembered everything being dreary. I will have to pull out my old, non-digital photos. This time I felt this medieval town was colorful and alive with tourists. The view from the top was awesome. I've gone the whole trip without setting foot in a church. Can I finish the trip sans church?

The town square

July 28-29, 2016 - St. Petersburg, Russia

I was limited to the cruise tours, since I didn't want to buy a visa. On the first day I visited the Faberge Museum where I tried to steal an egg for Eric. We then took a canal ride and saw the 100s of palaces and mansions, turned into government buildings following the Russian Revolution.

On the second day my tour took me on the St. Petersburg Metro system. The cars were old but we got into town. We then visited a market, followed by the obligatory tourist trap. A tiny Faberge egg replica was $75. I'll make my own. Finally we went to the Vodka Museum for samples.

They have eight of the eggs in this museum

All the palaces along the canals

The St. Petersburg subway

Lots of eggs

Yes, I did try Russian vodka

July 30, 2016 - Helsinki, Finland

We had yet another magnificent day. The sun has blessed us for all but one day.

I walked through the city, seeing many familiar sights. I joined the Silver Whisper, also in port, for lunch. Everything was so expensive that all I left with were memories and my photos.

A new wheel in Helsinki

August 1, 2016 - Warnemunde, Germany

I visited Warnemunde 20 years ago. It was like a new port. This beautiful seaside town was bustling with tourists and locals. In the afternoon I took a half hour train ride to Rostock. That town was larger but just as beautiful. My only purchase was a large bag of candy for my butler and cabin attendant.

Here is a painting I did from a cruise to Warnemunde over 20 years ago.

See the painting above

Rostock city centre

August 2, 2016 - Kiel Canal, Germany

I guess this means the cruise is coming to an end.

August 3, 2016 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

It was pouring as we docked in the morning. I did walk through town in the afternoon and took at least 20 more photos inside the Centraal Station. The Red Light district is very calm during the day, with absolutely fat and ugly prositutes.

Amsterdam is always a gay city

Reflection at the cruise terminal

August 4, 2016 - London, UK

Today we crossed the English Channel and sailed up the Thames River and under the Tower Bridge. It was an amazing sight. There were thousands of tourists lining the bridge and the shore. In the evening I had crispy duck and saw Kinky Boots. It was like Mamma Mia with people dancing in the aisles.