No time change today. But two more before we hit Hong Kong and then we will be the same as Melbourne Australia.
It was a lumpy start to the day, precipitated by Russian petty bureaucracy issues. I was not wrong in my predictions of the Russian authorities making things complicated and difficult for the ship and passengers. However once we were ashore and in the hands of the locals it was completely different. I was delightfully surprised about this place
The six buses we had at our disposal today were the best so far this trip. Our guide was a youngish woman, born here but has travelled quite a bit abroad and university educated.
The city itself is remarkably neat, clean, quiet and orderly. The drivers were very courteous and patient as we stumbled along the not-too-busy streets and wide boulevards.
You can sense the age of the original city as many of the original buildings, made of wood, are reminiscent of villages we visited in the Russian countryside on previous trips.
Access to the city is only by sea or air. You would never know that, it appears to be like some European cities of modest size with all the facilities you would expect. Fishing is the main industry, tourism is far down the list I would assume. We were the sixth cruise ship in this year and the season is coming to an end.
There is an interesting history here, on the extreme eastern part of Russia, Apparently this place played a small role in the Crimean War, 1853-1856, between Russia and Britain-Turkey-France. The British were up here to keep Russian units involved instead of them being able to help in the Black Sea. We visited a Memorial to some who are buried here, both Russian and British.
We again went through Russian security and passport control before re-boarding shortly after noon.
With only six buses available for the ship today, the excursions today were slowed down considerably, so the last lot of passengers getting off around 4:00 PM may not have had such a wonderful day as we did. However the ship does not sail until 11:00 PM, so a rushed tour is not likely in the books for anybody, just a lot of time cooped up due to petty bureaucracy.
The rest of our day was spent at leisure.
Some early Russian officials await as we tied up at a commercial wharf.
We suspect that those bags hold ballast rocks for ships sailing from here empty.
A view through the many flower beds about this city.
The reflection of the far side of the lake, note the distant volcano on the right.
It is truly a beautiful setting with 115 volcanoes in the area, 15 still active.
Truly the Pacific Rim of Fire up here.
Best bus so far, and our guide, Christina.
The memorial to Russian and British sailors who died during the Crimean War.
Three stuffed bears and a wolf at a lookout. Photos after paying $1.50.
The entrance to the harbour.
Russian Orthodox church built in 2010.
[Find Fellette.]
No sitting in a Russian Church, only for the aged.
We bought a trinket carved by this Aleut's husband.
[The Aleutians are named after the Aleuts.]
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