Kyle’s European Adventure

Well, we’ve been on the cruise ship for 3 days now, and I think if I could stay here forever, I would. This is the most brainless form of travel ever invented – I just eat, sleep, drink, and occasionally show up for tours.  You don’t really get to see much of the cities you stop at – 10 hours in Stockholm, 9 in Helsinki – but hey, if you wanted an in-depth visit, you would be cruising, right?

Stockholm was pretty. I was excited to he in the home of ABBA. We went to the Vasa Museum (unreal), and then toured city hall and the Nobel Museum. Helsinki was beautiful – we did a bike tour around the perimeter of downtown, which didn’t really show us much of the city, but it was sunny and perfect, so we had a beautiful 10 mile bike ride.

Today we arrived in St. Petersburg, which crosses Russia off my list of countries I’ve visited. The port rules here are crazy strict – from what I’ve heard, the cruise company has had to work out very “special” deals with the local mobs to get all the passengers on and off the boat safely. Really, the only way to do the city is on one of their pre-arranged tours, so that’s what we’re doing. We’re going to the Hermitage Museum today, and I am SO excited. THis is something I’ve always wanted to see. The history of the Romanov family is amazing, and I can’t believe I’m going to see the Winter Palace.

I’ve also successfully befriended some of the crew. Our new friend Billy the Dancer has entertained us each night – giving us all the ship gossip, and providing us with all the best tips on which tours to take, and where to get the best ice cream. My little brother has somehow formed a “gang” of teenagers that he’s the ringleader of. They roam the hall of the ship until all hours, and he’s managed to stay out later than me every single night. I guess I’m getting old and loosing my touch.