The Public Gardens of Halifax Nova Scotia

#Public_Gardens_Halifax
These are a Victorian Era Public Gardens & were founded by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836. The wrought iron front gates ( from Scotland ) that greets you with the coat of arms of Halifax
 E Mari Merces , which means wealth from the sea.
KeyTip; Free one hour horticultural & historical tours from June-October (10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm & 3:00pm)

Many statues and plaques throughout the park are to commemorate historic military figures and operations during the Victorian Era and early Twentieth Century

The Bandstand is used for free public concerts usually on Sunday afternoons

Home to over 140 species of trees

Over 16 acres of parkland created in 1867

Except for repairs / cleanup after Hurricane Juan ( 2003 ) much of the Gardens have not changed much since 1911

Richard Power & Henry Busch were the architects of this wonderful place

Soldiers Memorial Fountain erected in 1903

In 1887 the statue of Ceres was added ( Roman Goddess of agriculture & fertility)

Waited for almost one hour for our most important  Friend of Nature

Carpet Beds are a Victorian Garden Tradition

Next time in the Gardens look for the model replica ( since 1994) of the Titanic on Griffins Pond launched every spring
 

Saint Petersburg

Smolny Convent built for Elizabeth ( the daughter of Peter the Great )  after she was disallowed succession to the throne and decided to become a nun

Saint Petersburg is the most westernized city of Russia that was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. It sits on the Gulf of Finland with a population of over 5 million 

The city (previously known as Leningrad) survived a blockade by the German Army for over 2 years during WW2. which resulted in the death of over one million  of its civilians. Also during the siege thousands of buildings were destroyed and Palaces were looted and ruined as the invading army retreated 

Saint Petersburg was built on the marshlands of the Neva River Delta and now has 800 bridges that crosses its canal systems

The most recognizable structure here.....The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.  Why is it called this; it was the site where Emperor Alexander 11 was fatally wounded 

Taking a night cruise on the Kryukov Canal that was built in 1717

Exploring all the different forms of culture to be found here

Griboyedov Canal built in 1739 that was originally called Catherine Canal after the empress

The rivers and canals still play a huge role in the city's transportation  and certainly the best way to view (as a tourist) the royal palaces, gardens and cathedrals 

The area is also called.......The Venice of the North

The Neoclassical architecture style moved onto various Romanticist forms

A UNESCO Site with over 8,000 architectural monuments in the city

Recently local authorities have been transferring the ownership of state-owned  buildings to private citizens.....who then bring the structures back to their previous glory

Russian Riverboats 101

My home for 10 days

The Island of Kizhi which was the most interesting stop

Entering Yaroslavl

The Kalyazin Bell Tower as we near Uglich.  The belfry was built in the late 1790s  but as Stalin ordered the construction of the dam several structures were submerged

My route for this adventure

Lake Ladoga

Lake Onega

Most stops we has some "sister ships' join us.

My latest adventure has led me to Saint Petersburg to Moscow via the riverboat, here is some of the info that will be helpful if deciding to take on this trip. My ship (MS Surikov of the Russian Co. Mosturflot) was very clean and safe but was built in 1974  (has had many upgrades since) so don't go thinking it is a modern day liner as your doing reno's with only so much boat, plus your dealing with rivers and locks so size of the craft needs to be limited to navigate this tight areas. Also the typical riverboat will host approx. 200 passengers plus crew with no extra amenities ie. no swimming pool, fitness center, casino or 24 hr restaurant's, with scheduled eating times, small entertainment and bar area, no TV"s in your room and public internet only at certain times. Finally the rooms would be a challenge for 2 adults given they are the size of a railcar berth, but you need to look past all of this as it has a certain charm to be plying the waters without all that glitter.....which lets face it is just "window dressing"  So lets shove off and get to see parts of Russia only that MS Surikov can take us to


One of eighteen locks we went through to Moscow, and believe me they were not all during the day.......so a few restless sleeps 

The Savior-Transfiguration Monastery of Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl was founded in 1010 and in the 17th Century was Russia's second largest city

The Monastery was also used as a fortress

A midlevel set of bells within minutes to chime 

With a building almost 800 years old......any window is great!

The bell toll for thee (lol) when I heard I could climb the steps to the top, lets go..... but not for everybody who is afraid of heights

The Monastery was founded in the 12th century and by the 18th century was the residence of the local archbishop

I am guessing approximately 200 steps to my quest 

On the top and looking down onto the River Kotorosl