Comments on: From Russia With Much Love……except for St.Petersburg Airport http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:40:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joan Kennawayhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16091 Joan Kennaway Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:44:38 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16091 Dear John, Your story at St Petersberg airport reminded me of the time I attended the World Congress of Voice Teachers in Helsinki and went on a post-congress tour by train to St Petersberg which is a five hour trip. The first station after we crossed the Russian border a group of about twenty guards boarded the train, locked all the doors (including the toilet door) and took all our passports away! This was extremely scary as they checked our visas and scrutinized our faces before they left us. We didn't see our passports again until the station before St Petersberg where all the guards unlocked the doors and got off the train. Your description and photos of the Hermitage, the ballet and the stunning Cathedral brought back amazing memories from the city of such contrasts of luxury and poverty. I read your blog thingy every morning over breakfast as here in New Zealand we are 12 hours ahead in time and you keep us entertained and educated. Thank you, John. Joan Dear John,
Your story at St Petersberg airport reminded me of the time I attended the World Congress of Voice Teachers in Helsinki and went on a post-congress tour by train to St Petersberg which is a five hour trip. The first station after we crossed the Russian border a group of about twenty guards boarded the train, locked all the doors (including the toilet door) and took all our passports away! This was extremely scary as they checked our visas and scrutinized our faces before they left us. We didn’t see our passports again until the station before St Petersberg where all the guards unlocked the doors and got off the train. Your description and photos of the Hermitage, the ballet and the stunning Cathedral brought back amazing memories from the city of such contrasts of luxury and poverty. I read your blog thingy every morning over breakfast as here in New Zealand we are 12 hours ahead in time and you keep us entertained and educated. Thank you, John.
Joan

]]> By: dwa76http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16090 dwa76 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:33:27 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16090 Hi John, Sure sounds like my story from trying to go through the airport in Paris. The worst nightmare that I ever had. I empathize with you my friend. Thankfully on a cruise we won't have to face their airport. Ugh. I can already see it now. Imagine how many pissed off passengers you'd have to deal with then. Good luck buddy! David Hi John,
Sure sounds like my story from trying to go through the airport in Paris. The worst nightmare that I ever had.
I empathize with you my friend.
Thankfully on a cruise we won’t have to face their airport. Ugh. I can already see it now.
Imagine how many pissed off passengers you’d have to deal with then.
Good luck buddy!
David

]]> By: Glenhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16089 Glen Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:38:09 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16089 Well, you made up my mind as to if i should get the Russian Visas - or sticke with the Carnival excursions. I think I will stay with the tour program. See you in July. Well, you made up my mind as to if i should get the Russian Visas – or sticke with the Carnival excursions. I think I will stay with the tour program. See you in July.

]]> By: Markhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16088 Mark Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:35:13 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16088 Although time marches on and progress is made in certain respects, the clock has slowed to a crawl in some areas of the globe. Apparently the Cold War era airport hasn’t seen much funding in upgrading the infrastructure and facility. Although time marches on and progress is made in certain respects, the clock has slowed to a crawl in some areas of the globe. Apparently the Cold War era airport hasn’t seen much funding in upgrading the infrastructure and facility.

]]> By: LambKnuckleshttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16087 LambKnuckles Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:46:27 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16087 John...From Russia with Love you're sent back to us!!! WOO HOO!!!Again, I marvel at the way the cruise ships treat people as they go from port to port! It's a joy and pleasure to trave by ship, not unpacking, not repacking, and not having the heave around the packing... Once on, once off... and my favorite cabin steward helps me with EVERYTHING my heart desires!!! (I just thought, I've never had a female cabin steward... ess... attendant. Carnival must know me...)I am staying tuned for the next installment of your blog thingy... Oh, by the way, did I miss your mention?? Did Heidi's suitcase turn up??Regards, Lambie :-) John…

From Russia with Love you’re sent back to us!!! WOO HOO!!!

Again, I marvel at the way the cruise ships treat people as they go from port to port! It’s a joy and pleasure to trave by ship, not unpacking, not repacking, and not having the heave around the packing… Once on, once off… and my favorite cabin steward helps me with EVERYTHING my heart desires!!! (I just thought, I’ve never had a female cabin steward… ess… attendant. Carnival must know me…)

I am staying tuned for the next installment of your blog thingy… Oh, by the way, did I miss your mention?? Did Heidi’s suitcase turn up??

Regards,
Lambie :-)

]]> By: Linda Hernackihttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16086 Linda Hernacki Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:28:23 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16086 After reading your blog today, and of the past 3 days I do not believe I EVER want to go to Russia! Especially thru their airport, what an experience you had today! I know you can't wait to get back to Heidi in Germany, and from what you said about the plane not having air conditioning, you probably can't wait to hit the SHOWER either! Hope the rest of your trip is uneventful. Linda After reading your blog today, and of the past 3 days I do not believe I EVER want to go to Russia! Especially thru their airport, what an experience you had today! I know you can’t wait to get back to Heidi in Germany, and from what you said about the plane not having air conditioning, you probably can’t wait to hit the SHOWER either! Hope the rest of your trip is uneventful. Linda

]]> By: The Bears - Barb & Carlhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16085 The Bears - Barb & Carl Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:38:16 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16085 Hi John, Sounds like your day has been interesting so far... can't wait to read more.We tell all our friends... the only way to travel is on a cruise ship!!!Hello to Heidi! Hi John,
Sounds like your day has been interesting so far… can’t wait to read more.

We tell all our friends… the only way to travel is on a cruise ship!!!

Hello to Heidi!

]]> By: msqpon - Jo Myerlyhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16084 msqpon - Jo Myerly Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:35:31 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16084 Hi John, Sorry your friend Murphy is still with you. I can't wait to see your photos of the Amber Room. That is high on my to do list while we are on the Splendor in August. Please write about some of the places you are visiting. Did you like the food? Where the buses comfortable? Did most places have elevators or were you forced to go up alot of stairs? How were the restrooms? Could you take photos wherever you wanted to. Are camcorders permitted? Thanks, Jo Hi John, Sorry your friend Murphy is still with you. I can’t wait to see your photos of the Amber Room. That is high on my to do list while we are on the Splendor in August.
Please write about some of the places you are visiting. Did you like the food? Where the buses comfortable? Did most places have elevators or were you forced to go up alot of stairs? How were the restrooms? Could you take photos wherever you wanted to. Are camcorders permitted?
Thanks,
Jo

]]> By: Ann Wilsonhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16083 Ann Wilson Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:53:25 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16083 Wow, John. I've always wanted to visit Russia. I'm glad I'll be doing it on the Splendor rather than a flying tour!! The pictures you sent yesterday were wonderful! I can't wait to see those sites. I certainly hope you and Heidi have a wonderful reunion in Berlin. I've been to Germany (not Berlin) and the people I met were very nice. I just hope the airport there is much better for you than in St. Petersburg! Take care and looking forward to the rest of your tour. I've also enjoyed the Alaskan tour information. I hope to take an Alaskan cruise in the future. Take care.... Wow, John. I’ve always wanted to visit Russia. I’m glad I’ll be doing it on the Splendor rather than a flying tour!!
The pictures you sent yesterday were wonderful! I can’t wait to see those sites.
I certainly hope you and Heidi have a wonderful reunion in Berlin. I’ve been to Germany (not Berlin) and the people I met were very nice. I just hope the airport there is much better for you than in St. Petersburg!
Take care and looking forward to the rest of your tour. I’ve also enjoyed the Alaskan tour information. I hope to take an Alaskan cruise in the future.
Take care….

]]> By: CAROLYN AND DONhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/04/13/from-russia-with-much-loveexcept-for-stpetersburg-airport/#comment-16082 CAROLYN AND DON Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:38:52 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2950#comment-16082 Hi John, Was I wise in saying if I can't get there on land or by ship, I ain't going? You've got more patience than I have. Your reunion your beautiful, loving wife isn't long off and I'm sure that is making you happy.I've started giving advice to my daughter in law on what to take on the bloggers cruise. She wants to know all there is to know about cruising and what she needs to take. This is their first cruise and she is overly anxious but then so am I !!!!!!!!!!.... Big Ed just reminded us it is 300 days until the bloggers cruise............sigh Is it really that long????? Carolyn......... never say never..... advice from Suze Hi John,
Was I wise in saying if I can’t get there on land or by ship, I ain’t going? You’ve got more patience than I have.
Your reunion your beautiful, loving wife isn’t long off and I’m sure that is making you happy.

I’ve started giving advice to my daughter in law on what to take on the bloggers cruise. She wants to know all there is to know about cruising and what she needs to take. This is their first cruise and she is overly anxious but then so am I !!!!!!!!!!…. Big Ed just reminded us it is 300 days until the bloggers cruise…………sigh Is it really that long?????
Carolyn……… never say never….. advice from Suze

]]>