Baltic Cruise

Have you heard about Baltic Cruise before?
One fine day, my friend was mentioning that she wanted to go for Baltic Cruise. I asked her what is about Baltic Cruise? I have not heard this Baltic Cruise before.

Baltic Cruise is a very unique cruise that travels to 10 different countries within Baltic Sea region, which is Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland & Lithuania (http://www.baltictours.com/).

Below is the picture of Baltic Sea region.

Scenic view at Baltic Sea


Cruise along iceberg at Baltic Sea

Midnight Sun at Baltic Sea

Baltic Cruise will be one of the best destination spot for lovely couple to spend their holidays. It takes about one to two weeks or even a month to tour around the Baltic region. I did not know until my friend mentioned to me on that day that I met her for a drink. I think it is interesting to learn different cultures by touring different countries around Baltic region. Wow, this destination will be my dream holiday in my lifetime.

It is so beautiful with nice and cosy scenic view. By looking at the pictures, it makes me feel so special and distress myself from the tall concrete buildings in the city.

In fact, Baltic Sea is also being protected by government body called Helsinki Commission. Helsinki Commission works to protect marine environment from all sources of pollution through intergovernmental co-operation between Denmark, Estonia, the European Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

You can read more details on Helcom at this website. http://www.helcom.fi/BSAP/en_GB/intro/

Helcom's objective is to restore the good ecological status of the Baltic marine environment by year 2021.

We should help protect this environment especially for our next generation. This beautiful environment should not be destroyed. If not, we would not have chanced to enjoy such a beautiful and cosy sea like Baltic Sea.

Russia

Map of Russia

Moscow (10million population)

St. Petersburg (4million population)

Have you thought of going a holiday trip to Russia? I guessed it would be an interesting place to visit.

Russia is located at northern hemisphere and fifth largest (148 million) populated country after China, India, United States and Indonesia. Russia has a very unique history and culture. The Russian history started from Ancient Russia to The Mongols & The Emergence of Moscow to The Romanovs to Napeleon's Invasion to Revolution to Soviet Era. The most interesting history is "The Romanovs" - is the statusquo for the Russian where economic and political made a rapid changes - thanks to Peter the Great!

Religion

The state religion of Russia is Russian Orthodox Christianity.

What is Russian Orthodox Christianity?

Russian Orthodox Christianity - which is ecclesiastical heads of the national Russian Orthodox Church consisted of three metropolitans (St Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev), fourteen archbishops and fifty bishops, all drawn from the ranks of the monastic (celibate) clergy. The parochial clergy had to be married when appointed, but if left widowers were not allowed to marry again; this rule continues to apply today (source from: Wikipedia).

The second largerst religion is Islam, third largest religion is Roman Catholics and fourth largest religion is Judaism.

What is the cost of getting into Russia?

Average Cost of rooms per night: Economy/Budget: US$10-45

Average: US$45-80

Executive: US$80-100

Deluxe: US$100+

1) Sample Prices: half a litre of beer: 70.00 Russian Rublehalf

2) A litre of brand vodka: 100.00 Russian Ruble

3) Letter posted international: 17.00 Russian Rublepublic

4) Toilet fee: 14.00 Russian Ruble750g

5) Bottle of restaurant wine: 300.00 Russian Ruble

6) 750g bottle of supermarket wine: 200.00 Russian Rublenight

7) Club cover charge: 150.00 Russian Ruble

8) Traditional fine woollen babushka scarf: 300.00 Russian RubleRussian

9) CD or DVD: 100.00 Russian Ruble

Currency as at 30/4/2008 - 1 Russian Ruble = 0.13 Malaysian Ringgit

Saint Basil's Cathedral

St Basil's Cathedral located at Red Square

Another place of interest to visit in Russia is the Saint Basil's Cathedral. It was nominated to seven wonders of the world.

Saint Basil's Cathedral is located at southeast end of Red Square. It is multi tented church consists of nine chapels built on a single foundation. It was built as residence for Ivan the Terrible. It was built between 1555 and 1561.