Sometimes you're so focused on preparing for the climb itself that you forget to enjoy the whole experience of being in a country with a culture and beauty that takes your breath away. The great thing of travelling with Berg Adventures is that they pride themselves not only on quality and perfectionism but also on immersing themselves in the culture of each country they visit or climb in.
Russia was no exception...
I arrived in St Petersburg tired from the long journey. Everyone always asks how long does it take to get there. I always say that after the 30hr mark I stop counting (the flights, the airports, the waits - it's all part of the journey). You will only ever get frustrated if you expect everything to go to schedule and to plan. Learn to relax, laugh and go with the flow. So here I was... picked up at the airport by a chauffeur (OK that was nice!) and then driven to our hotel - Corinthia Nevsky Palace (OMG!!!). I was met by Wally Berg himself (service all the way) and then slept and slept. I had convinced myself that there was no way I was going sightseeing I was too tired - but I woke feeling refreshed after sleeping in this palace. I met three other members of the team - Terri, Tim and Raf (all from Cananda) - great bunch. I was initially concerned what the team would be like (having never climbed in a team before) but from the first moment we met we just hit it off.
We had our own private tour guide and headed off through the city to catch a hydrofoil to the SUMMER PALACE. Truly amazing (a must see). Then caught the Metro back and walked through the city. We were off to the HERMITAGE THEATRE to see the Russian Ballet that night. The tour guide gave us instructions but we decided to catch a taxi instead (safer option we thought - don't want to get lost). We met in the lobby for a few drinks and then caught the taxi. OMG !!! where was the tour guide??? we needed her. The taxi dropped us off and as we looked around we realised we had no idea where we were. We walked around for an hour in a thousand percent humidity, sweating and cursing - I laughed and laughed and laughed. The guys started off with suits and ties and ended up resembling monkeys in a sauna. We were going to miss the ballet. No kidding more than an hour later drenched in sweat we made it and nearly had a punch up with a 90yr old Russsian lady that wanted to push in front of us to get in. She obviously had no idea of the mission we had just been through to get there. lol... The ballet was great but of course when we came out it was pouring rain. We laughed hysterically in the rain and gave up on attempting to look civilised.
Don't expect Russians to have any concept of lining up or queuing for anything. At first you get frustrated and angry and after a while it becomes part of the comedy - laugh away.
The following day we met the rest of the team and spent the day visiting the HERMITAGE MUSEUM and on a river cruise (the canals and passageways will remind you of Venice). We had lunch at the VODKA MUSEUM (it's not a trip to Russia without trying a glass of vodka or two or three - great spot) and then walked 196 stairs up St Isaacs Cathedral to the lookout. ahhhhh good practice for the mountain. ha ha ha We headed back to the hotel to pack and make our way to the train station - MOSCOW here we come.
The overnight train to Moscow was an absolute highlight. It was like the orient express (travelling in style of times gone by). We woke in the morning to breakfast served in our cabin - EXCELLENT!!! Then straight to our hotel - Ararat (again another 5 star experience). They sure know how to travel.
Spent the day walking around RED SQUARE taking photos. The rest of the team also went on a guided walking tour. I decided rest was in order.
The next day we flew out to Mineralnye Vody (MT ELBRUS CLIMB BEGINS).
Russia is an expensive place - but I can honestly say that although I was concerned at the cost in the beginning, it was certainly worth every cent.
RUSSIA - 2013
St Petersburg and Moscow
(Part of the Mt Elbrus experience)