Paulchili Posted August 16, 2013 #151 Share Posted August 16, 2013 [quote name='Les Picantins'] I'm relieved that I had cancelled a cruise with Oceania last winter and decided to stick with Seabourn where I had a fabulous time. It's too bad you weren't with us on the Quest last month, Seabourn organised a private concert at Ephesus at sundown, it was truly magical. .[/quote] To paraphrase your fellow SB cruiser (Oregon50): Please, do we need a SB crusade here? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #152 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine Taking the bus out of town I caught a glimpse of some WW2 history. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-dqQ2kc3/0/XL/DSC_2284-XL.jpg[/IMG] In Sapun hill I found a whole array of WW2 equipment, including a bunch of bits of naval vessels [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-sHRVqxW/0/XL/DSC_2285-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-qSfS6Cb/0/XL/DSC_2286-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-kfcpwxS/0/XL/DSC_2289-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-rGqLfSf/0/XL/DSC_2287-XL.jpg[/IMG] Or in one case an entire vessel [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-qbbWzxQ/0/XL/DSC_2309-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #153 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine Sapun Hill There army was also represented with field guns and tanks [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-SCdrfcW/0/XL/DSC_2294-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-NmMDthx/0/XL/DSC_2295-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-BKT7L5R/0/XL/DSC_2296-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-8XBVChn/0/XL/DSC_2297-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-BwhqGhf/0/XL/DSC_2299-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-TtRqCT5/0/XL/DSC_2306-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #154 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine They have a unique approach to brooms, or is it the site of a witch crash landing? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-Jkn4nXc/0/XL/DSC_2301-XL.jpg[/IMG] And can you see down there? Thats where the light brigade charged. Also during WW2 the only surviving monuments from the Crimean war were the British ones. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-QqqkRjN/0/XL/DSC_2308-XL.jpg[/IMG] Near the top of the hill was the Chapel of St. George the Victorious [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-rBtTfTq/0/XL/DSC_2305-XL.jpg[/IMG] And the Obelisk of Glory [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-MBtX94s/0/XL/DSC_2302-XL.jpg[/IMG] After a lot of finger pointing and "see over there" on Sapun hill it was time to head down to the diorama of the Crimean war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #155 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine Something not mentioned in the description for this tour - there were two places you could use a restroom - Sapun Hill and after the Diorama. Both were the Eastern style 'squat' toilets. There was a nice low fountain in front of the Diorama building [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-zHFfWhP/0/XL/DSC_2313-XL.jpg[/IMG] The building that houses the diorama [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-knHBfXr/0/XL/DSC_2314-XL.jpg[/IMG] Statue of the original artist [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-2CsZWNC/0/XL/DSC_2317-XL.jpg[/IMG] Look at this - when you're in a museum or anything similar, do not lean on, sit on, touch, fondle, lick or otherwise make physical contact with exhibits unless told you may do so. Tourist behaving badly. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-WZR3mQp/0/XL/DSC_2319-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #156 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine Diorama [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-V7f68mJ/0/XL/DSC_2320-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-hzdtD9v/0/XL/DSC_2322-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-44V3SGP/0/XL/DSC_2326-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-qzmwzQR/0/X2/DSC_2327-X2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-rdpWHVB/0/XL/DSC_2334-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-XmrSK63/0/XL/DSC_2336-XL.jpg[/IMG] One other thing about the diorama - it was air conditioned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #157 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sevastopol, Ukraine After finishing our tours it was time to tender back to the ship. Tonight was round 2 in Polo. Shrimp cocktail - the shrimp were fine (it comes with 3 - ask for more) but the cocktail sauce suffered in the same way as the bloody marys, they seem to be deathly afraid of raw horseradish - so it wasn't near spicy enough. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-Gnhjj38/0/XL/DSC_2347-XL.jpg[/IMG] Next was salad comprised of the greens, some dressing, some crumbled bacon and a large amount of swiss cheese (I had them hold the tomato). It was a nice salad and fun to play with. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-xJ59bNk/0/XL/DSC_2349-XL.jpg[/IMG] Onion Rings - ordered extra well done with less batter and salted upon exiting the fryer - this is how they should've come out the first time through (though they still seemed to be extra doughy) [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-wSBn4R2/0/XL/DSC_2350-XL.jpg[/IMG] Potatoes au gratin, they were good the first time and good this time [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-66sqVpb/0/XL/DSC_2351-XL.jpg[/IMG] King cut of prime rib, rare - this couldve been good. It cut like butter, was tender, cooked to my favorite doneness and tasted of...freezerburn [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-dG3Mrgk/0/XL/DSC_2353-XL.jpg[/IMG] Key lime pie - not tart enough, tasted almost like it was mostly condensed milk. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sevastopol-Ukraine-August-2013/i-P9krFz8/0/XL/DSC_2355-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #158 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine The port isn't much to look at, but our neighbor is the MV Rustbucket. Where are we going today? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-NGZjZh2/0/XL/DSC_2356-XL.jpg[/IMG] It doesn't look very opulent for a palce [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-BmvzsbP/0/XL/DSC_2357-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-zX5bKCh/0/XL/DSC_2360-XL.jpg[/IMG] A bench with bite [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-RjDvB87/0/XL/DSC_2358-XL.jpg[/IMG] It started out crowded and got more so - it doesn't seem like Oceania wants to be in the first in group [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-7qqGx8x/0/XL/DSC_2359-XL.jpg[/IMG] If your workers feel you've underpaid them they'll give you random ugly critters instead of what you asked for [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-mdSMW4N/0/XL/DSC_2363-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #159 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine Once inside it was over to the round table where the Soviet mannequin is at attention and the US sailor is slouching. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-q8ZpgGB/0/XL/DSC_2364-XL.jpg[/IMG] I guess after Stalin unfriended Churchill on facebook they removed the British mannequin but left the flag [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-gGBQrVL/0/XL/DSC_2367-XL.jpg[/IMG] Theres the Czarist decorative touch [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-DwMzFvB/0/XL/DSC_2365-XL.jpg[/IMG] Off to a conference room with an ornate ceiling [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-xfcQ7NJ/0/XL/DSC_2370-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-7VdNm4f/0/XL/DSC_2372-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-59PgV8q/0/XL/DSC_2371-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #160 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-6tMZnwR/0/XL/DSC_2373-XL.jpg[/IMG] I think the statue is tired of seeing tourists day in and day out. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-VG7dvQX/0/XL/DSC_2374-XL.jpg[/IMG] It seems while Stalin had no problem letting FDR related things stay he wasn't so keen to memorialize Churchill [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-hFsp9cK/0/XL/DSC_2375-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-mG4dZC7/0/XL/DSC_2377-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-wMznjDK/0/XL/DSC_2379-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-jr44kfG/0/XL/DSC_2384-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #161 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine Dinner time [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-8qLLTtF/0/XL/DSC_2385-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-ZZrKbL7/0/XL/DSC_2386-XL.jpg[/IMG] Now it was time to go upstairs to the rooms setup for the Czars [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-hJxDmKq/0/XL/DSC_2391-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-RtwnCZk/0/XL/DSC_2394-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-Td5gXSQ/0/XL/DSC_2398-XL.jpg[/IMG] What room would be complete without a creepy clock? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-tN4DZLt/0/XL/DSC_2401-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #162 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine The music room had a nice view [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-KH36tVr/0/XL/DSC_2403-XL.jpg[/IMG] A worn piano [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-JnKL3fs/0/XL/DSC_2402-XL.jpg[/IMG] And these guys (Click the image to load the video of Kalinka) [url=http://youtu.be/8-mQ-OqqWAM][img]http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8-mQ-OqqWAM/2.jpg?time=1376683151568[/img][/url] Crystal to match the wallpaper or vice versa? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-jPRGhzv/0/XL/DSC_2406-XL.jpg[/IMG] This appears more like an English tea set than a Russian one [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-VbQ6SFW/0/XL/DSC_2412-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-HRNzwh6/0/XL/DSC_2416-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #163 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine After the Czar rooms we were brought downstairs and outside. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-4RH2xDG/0/XL/DSC_2418-XL.jpg[/IMG] That fountain is where the bench that's in the photograph with Stalin, Churchill and FDR once sat Click on the small image below for kidnappings, fold music and folk dancing [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UAOi_jYLGQ][img]http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8UAOi_jYLGQ/3.jpg?time=1376684171390[/img][/url] During the performance it was time for some genericus tea and a cakey/fruity thing [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-CpkBXcD/0/XL/DSC_2419-XL.jpg[/IMG] Then out to feed the vendors [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-sm8kPbK/0/XL/DSC_2421-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #164 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine Our last stop was Massandra Palance, the last summer home of the Czars (there's a Massandra winery but that wasn't part of the tour) [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-b59c9C2/0/XL/DSC_2422-XL.jpg[/IMG] They have a magic column that's not ionic, doric or corinthian [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-pPBRkZb/0/XL/DSC_2423-XL.jpg[/IMG] Pan welcomes you [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-sZp2pzM/0/XL/DSC_2425-XL.jpg[/IMG] The 5 legged dog thing (or grounded gargoyle?) eating one of its own legs, not so much [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-Gw6fZHB/0/XL/DSC_2426-XL.jpg[/IMG] Random construction [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-d7ZWVm8/0/XL/DSC_2427-XL.jpg[/IMG] The other side of the palace [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-rBL86Pc/0/XL/DSC_2428-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #165 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine Sadly the fountain wasn't working [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-Mjxq5BH/0/XL/DSC_2429-XL.jpg[/IMG] One room in and someone's already transferring their sweat and body oils to the wallpaper. How can people not know that unless specifically told its OK that touching things in a museum is verboten? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-n8HNDbv/0/XL/DSC_2431-XL.jpg[/IMG] Unlike the clock in the last palace, this thing manage to keep its mouth closed [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-cDRJm7G/0/XL/DSC_2434-XL.jpg[/IMG] Did people really used to spend that much time staring at the ceiling? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-dZJQw2B/0/XL/DSC_2435-XL.jpg[/IMG] I wonder if the exterior ever caught fire to match the interior [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-g3T2qJ6/0/XL/DSC_2438-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #166 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine They seem to have been expecting us [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-F2RDqXk/0/XL/DSC_2441-XL.jpg[/IMG] The door would probably be at home in the Winchester Mystery House [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-4MGHZKP/0/XL/DSC_2444-XL.jpg[/IMG] In case of an immediate need for privacy draw the curtians [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-qtfLbhQ/0/XL/DSC_2450-XL.jpg[/IMG] It was interesting to see the old/original ceiling from where the paint over was failing [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-5Ldb4w4/0/XL/DSC_2451-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-mZnTPzv/0/XL/DSC_2454-XL.jpg[/IMG] The UC room? (Blue and Gold) [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-JH7VWM2/0/XL/DSC_2452-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #167 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Yalta, Ukraine After a brief photo op with a sphinx [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-hmpvxfM/0/XL/DSC_2455-XL.jpg[/IMG] It was time to head back. Along the way we passed a relatively busy farmers market [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-dJ6Mtk4/0/XL/DSC_2456-XL.jpg[/IMG] Saw our ship, and our neighbor the MV Rustbucket [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-nBDnLTz/0/XL/DSC_2461-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-X7zqwT9/0/XL/DSC_2462-XL.jpg[/IMG] The oddballs from dinner tonight were a steak tartar with tomato filler and no egg topped with what appeared to be a fried bit of religious bread and a California-esque dish of shrimp salad in an avocado skin. The waiter tonight did me a favor by steering me away from the BBQ pork chop which he described as dry. The only people in earshot that didn't heed his warning returned theirs. For being too dry. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-Rfhb6kT/0/XL/DSC_2463-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Yalta-Ukraine-July-2013/i-kHnXhKm/0/XL/DSC_2465-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #168 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF Out of both segments and all the stops this was the one I heard the most complaints about from fellow cruisers. Aside from the highlights being "this western hotel" and "this upgrade to a hotel (that isn't done yet)" and "we can handle the traffic" (riiight, that's why we spent more time on the bus stuck in traffic than actually seeing things). I feel sorry for the people going her for the Olympics unless something drastic happens to the pace of their upgrades/expansion. After tendering to shore (they had a small empty marina) we met our tour guide, but I can't recall her name [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-LKGNs8C/0/XL/DSC_2470-XL.jpg[/IMG] We were off on a walking tour of the "highlights" of Sochi Hopeful for a chunk of the tourist trade [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-vPPVqxx/0/XL/DSC_2471-XL.jpg[/IMG] Supposedly this came off a battleship. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-VKDdPsf/0/XL/DSC_2472-XL.jpg[/IMG] I found the anchor to be more impressive [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-n2bKXfS/0/XL/DSC_2475-XL.jpg[/IMG] An American speakeasy/steakhouse, to its right was an Italian restaurant/karaoke lounge [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-z2MnvTz/0/XL/DSC_2476-XL.jpg[/IMG] Another tourist ruble hopeful [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-286h9R5/0/XL/DSC_2479-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #169 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF A cake shop? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-rWgCNjg/0/XL/DSC_2480-XL.jpg[/IMG] They had some unique manhole covers [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-Wz6c7nn/0/XL/DSC_2482-XL.jpg[/IMG] The final spot on "Where's Pushkin" [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-8STxTDr/0/XL/DSC_2477-XL.jpg[/IMG] The shaded bits were nice to walk through [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-DvCRQks/0/XL/DSC_2483-XL.jpg[/IMG] This was random - no retail shops nearby [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-H5jQHzh/0/XL/DSC_2484-XL.jpg[/IMG] Dolphins were chasing our bus [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-833PGHG/0/XL/DSC_2485-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #170 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF After a long drive we arrived at a shack in the woods. Or was it a shack on a tea plantation? Or a shack on an area claiming it was a tea plantation? [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-t76NxrN/0/XL/DSC_2486-XL.jpg[/IMG] It did offer a commanding view over the area [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-4XvZRQs/0/XL/DSC_2489-XL.jpg[/IMG] Something had been enjoying the foliage [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-V5R8tfz/0/XL/DSC_2490-XL.jpg[/IMG] There was a lot of random stuff on that hill [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-QhDZqCN/0/XL/DSC_2497-XL.jpg[/IMG] Some stranger than others [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-NsrtcnH/0/XL/DSC_2499-XL.jpg[/IMG] The teahouse [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-hvV47Jq/0/XL/DSC_2500-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #171 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF They hid samovars around the property like Easter eggs [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-2jR8pwg/0/XL/DSC_2502-XL.jpg[/IMG] Silly humans, bread is not what your cat wants [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-2TgBgPj/0/XL/DSC_2501-XL.jpg[/IMG] This is us [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-GTtBH5S/0/XL/DSC_2503-XL.jpg[/IMG] The tea [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-v6z4W8j/0/XL/DSC_2504-XL.jpg[/IMG] The bread - kind of sweet, some had a sticky filling [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-k5DG5jT/0/XL/DSC_2505-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-8ZcjLDw/0/XL/DSC_2507-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #172 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF The obligatory sales of things not even tangentially related to the area [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-5tKTL8n/0/XL/DSC_2506-XL.jpg[/IMG] Folk performance time [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-KbPrgKP/0/XL/DSC_2509-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-Qmbdh6P/0/XL/DSC_2511-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-9v7rBJ6/0/XL/DSC_2512-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-WBKTD6q/0/XL/DSC_2513-XL.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-psC8WZ8/0/XL/DSC_2522-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 16, 2013 Author #173 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Sochi, RF Was this vanilla foam over foie gras ravioli? It was probably the best thing to be served in the GDR. [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-BXP5Rmk/0/XL/DSC_2524-XL.jpg[/IMG] Thermidor is beside himself [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-f3j7pbG/0/XL/DSC_2525-XL.jpg[/IMG] Mass prepared Steak Diane makes me sad [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-R9tXbjB/0/XL/DSC_2526-XL.jpg[/IMG] I think the potatoes au gratin escaped from Polo [IMG]http://joee.smugmug.com/Other-1/Riviera/Sochi-Russia-July-2013/i-6mfPLNq/0/XL/DSC_2527-XL.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prada Cowboy Posted August 16, 2013 #174 Share Posted August 16, 2013 The food looks really bad!!! :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 16, 2013 #175 Share Posted August 16, 2013 [quote name='Prada Cowboy']The food looks really bad!!! :-([/quote] Worse than what you had on the Gem & Epic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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