St. Petersburg -- Peterhof

A free day in St. Petersburg, so DD and I decided on a picnic at the Peterhof Gardens.  As we were walking to the hydrofoil, we came across this exhibit of "Buddy Bears."  Each country had an artist paint one.  Here I am posing with the China Buddy Bear.

The Hydrofoil took us out the Neva River into the Gulf of Finland.  It took us past many naval shipyards that appear to still be in active service.

We passed by the only "Soviet" Bloc looking buildings the entire time we were in St. Petersburg.  Note at this point, the weather is overcast.  But we're still hoping for the sun to come through.

Peterhof is the "Russian Versailles"

This is the guest palace.

The famed "Grand Cascade"

The gardens are full of beautifully created fountains.  You'll notice that at this point, I've discovered the "VIVID COLOR" setting on my camera.  Helps overcome the gray skies and RAIN.

As DD "kinnear's" the cute guard, his umbrellas tells the story.  RAIN.  Picnic cancelled.

The gardens of the Peterhof contain a small outpost of The Hermitage, it's right on the Gulf and surrounded by a moat.

Rain, what's a guy to do, but simply call it a day and head home.  Later on in the evening, clear skies and a beautiful sunset....at 1130PM.