Peterhof

On Sunday morning we joined the hoards of tourists at the hydrofoil docks to head to Peterhof, the tsars summer residence.

Our visit got off to a bad start with confusing ticketing rules on the hydrofoil. After a quick shot of vodka to calm some nerves frazzled by bad customer service and incredible heat, we set off to explore the opulent grounds of this summer palace.







After our experience at the Hermitage the previous day, we decided to skip the crowded Palace interior, and just appreciate the extensive grounds surrounding the palace. There were many fountains adorned with golden statues...


...and even some 'interactive' fountains that were quite popular on this sweltering day.


We weren't the only ones visiting the gardens that day! :)


We had a nice picnic by the river


and the boys fed the ducks before we headed back to the boat docks for our scheduled 5:15 last boat departure. Where we were greeted by about 200 other hot and tired tourists, all crowded around the boarding gate. Said boat arrived, and was quickly filled with about four tour groups that had not been waiting in 'line' (there wasn't really a line, but they weren't waiting anywhere near the boat). After the boat left, the yelling started, as impatient tourists asked the unresponsive employees when the next boat was, and if they would get on. We finally got on the third boat, and I have to say that while I highly recommend visiting Peterhof, I would strongly encourage visitors to consider alternate transportation. The service that we had at the hydrofoil company was so beyond poor that it was embarrassing.


Did I mention that it was hot?



To cool off we went back to the air conditioned Pushkin cafe, where Julia and I enjoyed their homemade cranberry juice.



Then we took the metro home--check out the old wood trim on the carriage.

I'm assuming we had another quiet dinner/evening at home, as I don't have any more photos from this day. We were wiped, and five days of not sleeping due to heat and noisy construction work were beginning to take their toll...