15 September

After being awake at 0645 I was finally up at 0705 – and realised that soon my days would be regimented differently as this is the last cruising day (although not the last day on the ship – there are two more days on the ship).
After the normal procedure I was at breakfast at 0730, but this time we sat at a different table. In the morning, the port rear table is next to a serving area and so people walk through and can bump the seats. Again breakfast was unremarkable, so I won’t make any remarks.
After breakfast was the “Russian Traditional Costume” in the Sky Bar, so I went along. The ladies from the kiosk had a range of different costumes and showed how hairstyle (one plait for single, tow plaits for married) and clothing played an important part in traditional culture. No-one asked how much traditional culture is around now. Then there was a dance and … after that I made an error of judgement and got up for spoon playing (can I say I was spooning with the guide?), an exercise in dexterity which showed me why I don’t dance. However, that was soon over and, when I went to do some writing up and photo work, I found we were nearly at our port for the day and I had to remember to put my key in, get my pass and be ready for disembarkation. This time it was only through one other ship at Mandrogi – the ship was the Volga Dream (say that slowly and don’t mispronounce the river’s name) and the carpet was covered with cloth lest we mere mortals mark it. I succumbed to temptation and WALKED OFF THE CLOTH. There were no dire consequences (at least not yet) so I continued on to the shore.
I walked around for a time with Steve, Jane, Cindy, Carol, Janet and Jasbir. We were trying to see an elk (or moose, as they are the same animal with different names around this area), but the corral was empty (I hope this doesn’t mean they had elk for tea last night!). Jasbir seemed to be a little confused and was pronouncing “monastery” as “monstrosity”, but was on the ball as far as not wanting to collect dust collectors. After the craft workshop (yes, could take photos but no flashing) I headed off to look around further, saw MORE craft shops, a mansion, a windmill and finally … the island with the zoo and fairy tale statues. To reach the fairy tales was a real ferry tale, as it was €6 both ways.
The ferry was operated by turning a capstan, which in turn pulled the hawser around a windlass and so winched (inched?) us over. A young Russian group on at the same time as if I would take a photo for them, but addressed me as “senõr”, so I don’t know how I sounded to them.
On the island, the statues were great, but of course I couldn’t read the fairy tales associated with them. Once at the “zoo”, I was able to see some different animals, the most different being a racoon. Unfortunately a few of the animals were exhibiting classic confined behaviour, so that spoiled it a little.
On the way back I was with the Japanese group off our ship and some of them wanted to help wind us over. I don’t think they actually made much of a difference, as they weren’t even puffing at the end.
On the way back, I saw my first Russian seesaw. I was so taken aback I had to photograph it (all right cynics, you think I just photograph everything anyway, but there is always a reason for it; if you read this and then view the pictures and think like me – a terrible thought – you will see what I want to convey) before continuing on for lunch. This was under cover and quite warm. We lined up to get our chicken shashlik with fried potatoes and mushroom (scraped to the side) and a range of salads (yes Fran, I am getting a wide range of vegetables and salads on the ship) and we could eat to musical accompaniment. In a surprising turn, the musicians then offered CDs of their performance for sale. Dessert was two varieties of pie slice, and you had to take both (no provision for just one).
After lunch I slowly went back to the ship, but still was there only half an hour before departure.
In the afternoon, after we glided out from our position (we were second of three when we left), there was a Russian song lesson. Needless to say, after our performance (English-speaking group), I am sure we would never be confused with either gypsies or Russian peasants.
The next few hours were whiled away watching the scenery go by and speculating on the state of industry which we were passing.
The Captain’s Dinner came up soon at 1930. I think we all expected he would dine with us, but after he and his entourage spoke (five times each), he left. Dinner was a more salutary affair as we knew now our trip together was ending soon, and friends made would either not be seen again or seen only after a long time. Photos of groups were taken and people were a little more reluctant to leave than they normally were.
The last business of the evening was the entertainment in the Sky Bar, compliments of the crew and some passengers. Surprise appearances were made by a cook who belted out some Cossack numbers, passenger ensembles who sang with gusto and one of the kiosk ladies who sang behind a dance combo. There was culture with a reading of Geothe and a comedy skit (in German, so we had to laugh when they laughed) and a finale with the guides spinning their numbers.
After this many people took leave and retired quietly, as we have busy days tomorrow and Wednesday and others wanted to make contact with new friends and leave details with them.
I went back to my cabin, processed the photos from the evening, did my blog and fell into the arms of Morpheus.