Church of Spilled Blood and Hermitage Museum -Winter Palace at Saint Petersburg, Russia

Church of the Spilled Blood

Canal, Saint Petersburg

Hermitage Museum- Winter Palace

Saint Isaac Cathedral, Colonnade

They say not planned trip always push through. That's what happened to me, I was not part of my colleagues who are bound to Russia and by GOD's grace, I am included in the TeamSpclsRussia.
A lot has been going on in our world or environment and if those things will hold us back we won't be able to go forward.  So we decided to fly over it.
Last October 2019, Russia has announced that Filipinos will have the privilege to enter Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region through e-visa. And guess what this e-visa is free and is a single-entry, which will be valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. With an e-visa are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 8 days, starting from the day of entry and within the visa's validity.
The visa validity and the number of days in the country cannot be extended. The allowed period of 8 days will start at midnight of the day of entry through passport control and not the actual time of passage.

Filipinos who want to avail of e-visa must fill out an application form on the website Click Here no later than 4 days before their expected arrival date.  However for us when we apply it took only 2 working days. But still, allot time for visa processing before travelling. You will need also your hotel booking when filling out the form. Also, be careful in filling out the form as they are strict with the name it should appear as per your name in the passport, a single letter or additional name, you will be refused of entry.

Things you need before travelling:

Hotel Accommodation. We booked our hotel next to the main street of Saint Petersburg which is Nevsky Prospect.  We found a good deal through  booking.com  that's within our budget.
We had booked for Passage hotel and it served the purpose. We love the location and the staff are really helpful. It is money for value kind of hotel.
Weather. So you will know what kind of clothes to bring. When we went there it was around -1 to -4 degrees and it has a little bit of rain. So can say a wet climate. So we geared up with warm clothes and gloves.
Currency. We allot a budget. Me and my friends, we agree that we should spend only 300 dirhams equivalent to 4,620 Rubbles (which depend upon the exchange rate). Their money is called Russian Rubbles.
                 

This what I exchange 

Remaining Russian Rubbles after my trip.

Google Map/ reviews. Yes, we research famous landmarks and places in Saint Petersburg, actually even booking the hotel as we wanted to be near the attractions. And we save it on our phone, and it saves there. So even without WI-FI, we can open it. It works for us. Salute to those who can give reviews and recommendation.

Let's go mga Kabayan!

And off we go to Saint Petersburg

Dubai - Saint Petersburg Onboard Menu

This is the one I choose (yum, yum)

Just landed

Arrival Area

Transportation. You can get around through their Public transport like metro, buses, trolleybusses and tram. And also through Private commercial transport like buses, minibuses and taxis. But for us, the best is the subway or metro. You can use a travel card, pay by your credit card, or simply buy a coin for it. For us, they had charged us a total of 110  Russian Rubbles because of our luggage.
BTW, at the arrival exit, you have to take a bus no.39 or 39x (express) to go to the metro station. We wanted to go to Moskovoya Metro Station so it is actually 7 stops from the airport. The bus accepts cash payment, we had pay for 100 Russian Rubbles (due again 1 person and 1 luggage). The fare controller, although can't speak English, was helpful and she reminded us where to get off.
At the bus

 

At the Metro -Saint Petersburg Metro is really deep. Because of its unique geology. It does not have the best terrain to build a metro. The city is built on Marshland. This makes the ground very unstable. The reason they have to built-in very deep with an average of 60- 70 meters. Also, they have metal doors not all stations though. There are ten stations which are separated from the platform with walls and sliding doors, to prevent the flood to come inside the metro. So be careful whenever you a riding one.
Food. Yes, we packed our rice cooker and cooked Adobo (good for 3 days, but lasted only for two days). We had some noodles, bread, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and plastic utensils. We know that we are staying at a hotel/ hostel type of accommodation where we can cook.
Gadgets. Like Camera, battery, extension and adapter.
Actually, these things I often neglect and rely on the accommodation I'm staying, which a lot of times failed my expectations. Especially the adapter better to buy an International one so you won't have a problem charging all your gadgets otherwise check what is the volts and shape of electrical adapter you will need. This is actually the one we forgot, THANK GOD people are nice in Saint Petersburg they helped us especially our hotel staff.

First Day Itinerary (February 14,2020). Going to the Church of the Blood Spilled. One of their historical church and with great architecture. Interior arts is made with Mosaic. They began construction in 1883 during the reign of Alexander III, it was two years after the assassination of his father Alexander II. The church was dedicated to being a memorial to his father.
This Church is decorated with Italian limestones and various semi-precious stones like jasper, mountain crystal, topaz and so may other stones. On the outside, there are twenty granite plates which tell the most important events of Alexander II's reign.
When we saw it we were awe and amazed as it is actually different when you're seeing it in person. We had some photos outside the church that is Instagram-able and as if was taken by a professional photographer. The church is colourful and just need to strike your best pose.

Church of the Spilled Blood photo by ThirdyIII_Gin

Interior of the Church of Blood Spilled

Trying out their Glintvein or Hot wine

After the tour in the Church to warm ourselves from this cold weather we saw this guy with the cart selling hot beverages. So we tried it, they say it is the Russian version of Mulled wine. The beverage made with red wine and various mulling spices and sometimes raisins. It is served hot or warm and is alcoholic. Although there is a non-alcoholic version of it and it's a popular drink during winter or Christmas time in Europe. A must-try when you are in Russia.

First day: Second stop is the Hermitage Museum or Winter Palace

Photo by Joanna

Since our accommodation is closed by after the Cathedral visit we went home to eat lunch and take a nap. We decided not to pressure ourselves to go to all the touristic sites this day. As we consider this also our rest days or pause from our work. We just want to enjoy and savour this moment.

Night view of the Saint Petersburg Square

Hermitage Museum at Night

This is my travelling Chikas

Hermitage Museum is part of the Palace Square in Saint Petersburg. It is a museum of art and culture.
It is the second-largest art museum in the world. It was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin Merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. It is also known as the Winter Palace around 1732- 1917 because it is the official residence of the Russian Emperors.
The palace was constructed on a monumental scale that was intended to reflect the might and power of Imperial Russia.

It is so huge that a day will not be enough to tour around this place.

Saint Petersburg welcomes us with her own Northern Light or Aurora borealis at the Palace Square
Yes, surprise and awe to catch the Magical Northern light in Saint Petersburg.  

Trying out good ole local drinks

local fries

We ended the day trying to warm ourselves with their local drinks before we headed to our accommodation. Although we had a hard time ordering as not all of them can speak English. So we asked if there is a photo of the menu instead and that helps us a lot.

Matching Fur (wink)

Our OOTD 

I wanted to compress my Russian travel blog in one however there is so much history and stories to tell you guys. Plus the tips and tricks to go around the city. So this is Jesse Quetz signing off for today and will update you on our second-day tour here in Saint Petersburg. BTW, Wish you all Happy Valentine's day and to all my batchmates Happy Work
Anniversary. As Mr Quetz always says every day should be a Valentine's Day.

Watch my full vlog on this day. Click below.

Budget Check of the day:

Transportation from the Airport - 210 Rubbles
Church of the blood Spilled ticket - 350 Russian Rubbles (purchase online to avoid queue)
Hermitage Museum-Winter Palace -800 Russian Rubbles
GlintVein (Hot wine) -----120 Russian Rubbles
Night out Drink for Me (Russian Vodka) - 120 Russian Rubbles
Snacks at the Bar divided by four (500 /4)  - 125 Russian Rubbles
Total Spent = 1,735 Rubbles (including online Ticket Purchase)
Total Spent = 1,375 Rubbles (without the online Ticket Purchase)

Spasibo.Dosvedanya from your Team Specials Russia.