Still in St. Petersburg

This and That - It's 9am here in St. Pete a beautiful sunny day. Visited Peterhof (Peter's House in German) and quite a house on the Bay of Finland - built there so he would have an escape route. Seems like Russia has always been under siege. Much money over the years has been spent in the arms race, war and Cold War. 44 million people killed here in WWII/Hitler era.

Below is where we had dinner last night, Stroganoff Steakhouse and yes I had Strog as it was invented here! I really want a Burger and DQ Blizzard:)
Walking to dinner last night saw this huge billboard - seems like all is huge in Russia! - However, I am walking carefully as I have seen no hospitals or clinics or pharmacies and below is an ambulance and they just seem to be stuck in traffic with everyone else.

Recognize the emblem? Top of the Communist "Concert Hall" below - during this time all churches were closed, all factories shut down, all money went to the arms race and most of this area was bombed and totally destroyed. The people save some things by hiding and burying. The places we are seeing have all been rebuilt from scratch using government money and craftsmen from around the world -

Kitchens of Peterhof Palace -

Overlooking Bay of Finland from Russia side on ground of Peterhof - his escape route was to Finland; Russia also won a war with Sweden!

More of Peterhof from Palace terrace to Bay

OK - so we are cautioned to drink bottled water not because it is not safe but because the pipes are very old - what do you think? These are all over town - I think the plumbing system is lacking thus the reason for not flushing paper of any kind down the toilet

Today we are off to Catherine's Palace - Katerina is driving us and it is "off the record". Got a restaurant tip from some others in the hotel - an Azerjabanian restaurant 3 blocks away - might try it tonight - not sure if I spelled that right. Overall, it is an amazing trip, we have had no problems and are looking forward to the Aurora Express (brand new fast train) to Helsinki tomorrow where we will not have the benefit of guides and drivers but expect to do just fine - not sure what kind of food to expect - maybe lots of fish and herring????