Summer - the season for "I Do"s in Russia

I travelled to Moscow and St Petersburg in the month of July a few years back
(2008) to experience the famous "White Nights". This curious phenomenon is most evident in St Petersburg due to it's very northerly geographical location. At 59 degrees 57' North, St. Petersburg is the world's most northern city, and it stands at such a high latitude that the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark. In fact night becomes curiously indistinguishable from day, so much so that the authorities never need to turn the city's streetlights on!

The phenomenon begins from late May to early July, with the brightest period, the White Nights, normally lasting from June 11^th to July 2^nd. 

These pictures above, were taken after 9PM!

This is apparently also a popular season for weddings in Russia, for wherever we went, we were surrounded by beautiful Bridal couples. It appears to be some sort of tradition to have their photographs taken in front of popular monuments, churches, palaces and gardens. So gaping at all those beautiful brides, visible at every tourist spot that we were visiting, was an added plus on our holiday.

Curious about weddings in Russia, I read up on them when I returned. As their traditions are a somewhat unique, I thought I would share some information about it with ayou (courtesy : http://www.womenrussia.com/wedding.htm), along with the pictures I took on my Holiday.

Russian wedding protocol is quite different from what you are used to. For example, there are no bridesmaids, a best man and flower girls. 

First of all, let's start with engagement. Frankly speaking, there is no such a thing. A man asks a woman if she marry him, that's it. No rings are given; no one is informed about the event excepting closest friends and family. If the man is gallant, he will give his lady flowers, but this is not mandatory.



The wedding is usually planned soon, within 1-3 months. The couple is supposed to apply in writing to the department of registrations asking to register their marriage. The department will give them available dates but according to the law there must be at least 1 month of "waiting period", probably because people in Russia marry early, mostly at the age of 18-22, and this may give them some time to rethink in case they have made a hasty decision. During Soviet time this period was 3 months, so the two had time to cool down.

After the couple has applied to the department of registration, they are considered as being a bride and a groom; but Russians do not talk about being engaged, they say "They handed in the application".

Russians call "engagement rings" the rings that the couple exchanges during the wedding ceremony. The two buy them together; the groom pays; this is the necessary part of the wedding tradition. Russian engagement rings are in reality just plain wedding bands of gold, without diamonds or stones, and they wear them on the RIGHT hand on the finger next to the "pinky". (An "engagement ring" on the LEFT hand on the same finger will mean for Russians that the person is divorced or widowed, i.e. is not currently married but was married before.)

 



The bride's dress is usually made specially for the occasion because it's cheaper than buying it. All Russian women can sew (sewing is compulsory in the course of 'domestic labor' subject for girls in Russian schools - boys learn to make furniture and fix taps etc). Many girls sew beautifully; so brides often opt for making their wedding dresses themselves.



The necessary part of the wedding ceremony is a wedding train of several cars. Big black cars are considered as luxury in Russia (they used to be available for Soviet government elite only), and usually if the couple has money, they will hire at least one for the bride. The more cars participating in the wedding train, the more proud the couple will be. Usually they ask all their friends and relatives who have cars to join the ceremony. The cars are used to collect the bride, and go to Department of registration for the ceremony.

You'll probably be interested to note that a Russian wedding lasts for 2 days!! (Well, at least. Some weddings last as long as a week, and this is something to be proud of and remember for years: it means the couple had enough liquor to go on and on, and enough devoted friends to stay.)

Read more about Day 1 of a Russian Wedding here : Russian Wedding Day 1

Read more about Day 2 of a Russian Wedding here : Russian Wedding Day 2



Cruises - The ULTIMATE Holiday Experience

With our wedding only 3 weeks away, one question still loomed large in our minds - where to "Honeymoon? My Hubby 2B left the planning to me along with strict instructions - no fixed tour schedules (no forced early breakfasts and packed itineraries) - no compromise on hotels (I'm a budget / backpack traveller - he likes his luxuries) - and most importantly - must have meal options he is familiar with (he is a very fussy eater and has a queasy stomach ...unlike me, he doesn't experiment with food)

With less than 3 weeks to go, the only destination that seemed to fit within the parameters set up by my H2B, and something we could safely book at this last minute seemed to be the all familiar Sing-Thai-Malaysia Holiday.

With a heavy heart, I weighed the options - on the one hand, I was determined for our first holiday together to be a memorable trip overseas - on the other hand, I have been to all 3 countries before. Flipping through a travel magazine, I came across a Royal Caribbean Cruise Itinerary - and with great joy, realised that this was the solution to all my needs - a Unique Holiday Experience for BOTH of us, an all inclusive package with a variety of dining options, being able to visit various tourist destination without having to unpack and repack, without having to rush through breakfasts in order to catch the coach, no tight tour itineraries!

The cruise experience began for us, right from the time we entered the Cruise Terminal in Singapore. Luggage tagged and checked in, Key card in hand, we took the escalators and walkalators to the Aerobridge leading to the 'Legend of the Seas'. We were greeted by the Cruise team and lead to our Ocean facing Cabin, which was a replica of a regular hotel room, only more compact.

After the mandatory Safety & Evacuation drill on Deck 4, we took off to explore the 10 deck, 800 odd feet long ship with passenger capacity of around 2000 people. With a high ceiling starting from Deck 4 all the way to Deck 10, and the pleasant notes of the Grand Piano, the Lobby resembles that of a Luxurious hotel, with an added advantage - the ocean view.







The Luxurious setting of Romeo & Juliet  (Courtesy : http://www.camemberu.com/)





There are several dining options included in the Royal Caribbean Package, including unlimited Buffet meals in the Family Style Coffee Shop 'Windjammer Cafe' on Deck 9 or the more formal 3 course, 2 Level Fine Dining restaurant 'Romeo and Juliet' (Formal Dress only). There's even Room Service, if you're too tired to dress up and head out.




Windjammer Cafe (Courtesy : http://www.camemberu.com/)

 

The experience doesn't stop there. There are a range of activities to keep you busy through the day like trying your hand at the Rock-climbing wall, at the on board Casino Royale, Themed bars and lounges, indoor & outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools, an open atrium featuring daily bargain sales starting from US $5 onwards, a 9 hole miniature golf course, Spa and Fitness Centre an open air jogging path on one of the highest decks of the ship and even a Youth Club for your kids.

And there's more - daily theme parties in the Centrum (Atrium), Broadway style shows and other Musical and Acrobatic Acts at the Theatre each evening, Rounds of BINGO, Dance & Cooking lessons, Art shows (where you can bid and purchase artwork).

Clockwise from top left : Evening show at the Theatre, Rock & Roll Theme Party in the Lobby, Farewell show at the Theatre, The Casino

A Cruise is truly the ULTIMATE Vacation Experience. Where else can you have such a smooth, hassle free Holiday? Once you check in, everything that you would ever want on a Holiday is within walking distance - from Romantic Dinners, Couple Massages at the Spa, an evening at the Disco and open air ocean view strolls for the Honeymooners, to Rock climbing, Miniature golf, and splashing in the pool with the kids for those on a Family Vacation.

From sipping complimentary champagne at the Art Show, Bargain Sales at the Shopping Arcade, Broadway Shows for the well seasoned traveller, to having extensive dining options to choose from - like the large and varied Buffet Spreads at Windjammer Cafe, or beautifully presented world cuisine at Romeo & Juliet - a dream come true for any Foodie. And the best reason ever - being able to visit several countries without having to pack and unpack, without having to rush for those bus and flight connections. And of course, the pampering 5 star service.



In the 5 days that we were on the Cruise, we barely had the time to partake in all the exciting activities that they had to offer. And then of course there were the excursions we took at each port. Royal Caribbean provides guided tours at each port at an additional cost, but you can also go on your own as there are always taxis lined up at the ports.

We organised a private day tour for ourselves in advance with a local tour agent in Phuket and at Port Klang we hired a taxi to take us to a few sites in Kuala Lumpur and back. In Langkawi we chose to just take a taxi to the popular Cenang beach to soak in the beautifully calm seas.

Here's a little slide show of our 5N cruise experience on Royal Caribbean's 'Legend of the Seas'

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00b2-863c-434b?em=1&st=961572

Road Trips - Mangalore to Goa (Coastal India)

We're the kind of people that prefer to drive down on a holiday rather than travel the more convenient way - by train. Besides, driving down to Goa has it's own advantages...mainly because NH17 passes through many picturesque coastal gems along the way....like Maravanthe beach which comes up just after Kundapur (P.S - the sea at Maravathe is highly unsafe to swim in, so if u think of stopping, let it be only for photo ops!)

Be warned that there are some patches of NH17 that cannot even be considered as highway (especially the parts through Bhatkal which will require you to drive betw 20 - 40kph!) but most of the highway is in fairly motorable condition and very soon, we can expect 4 lane roads at places like Udupi.

As we have family in Goa and prefer to get there in time for Lunch, we try to leave as early as 4.30am from Mangalore, so that we can avoid heavy vehicle traffic between Udupi & Kundapur. That means we reach Panaji between 11 - 11.30am, with 6 - 7 hours of driving including 1 halt for Breakfast at Kundapur and occasional calls of Nature.

Hariprasad's at Kundapur, is likely to be the only decent place open for breakfast that early, and depending on when you get there (we normally stop there around 6.30), you may get a wider selection than the regular Idli Chutney Sambhar n Hot Coffee. Or stop at RNS Highway hotel at Murudeshwar for nice clean restaurants and wash rooms, you'll get there by 7am. Unfortunately at that time, there's not much breakfast selection, probably just Idli Sambar, Chutney and Coffee / Tea. If you prefer to have a late breakfast, look out for Kamath Executive at Honnavar, it's to the left within minutes of entering the city and has a very clean washroom for ladies, plenty of parking.



Murudeshwara beach town, famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue and the Murudeshwara Temple.



If you prefer to start late and stop for lunch along the way, we highly recommend Makara Village, just beyond Gokharna town (NH-17, hiregutti, Gokarna) on the right side of the road, which has clean wash rooms, an open air restaurant and serves really delicious fresh seafood meals (they have non seafood and vegetarian selections also, but you have to try the seafood!) Assuming you're leaving Mangalore around 8am, you should get there before 1pm.



Makara Village

 What's really appealing about driving down to Goa apart from the stunning views, is NH17 which is fairly unswervingly between Mangalore and Goa, making the overall journey more enjoyable and less tiring than most road trips.

Karwar Port and Beach (warning : unsafe to swim!)

If you happen to reach Madgaon (Margao) before 2pm, don't forget to buy some mouthwatering Rosary Sausages to take back (traditional spicy chourico sausages but shaped like rosary beads instead of the regular long rings) at Margao market (you have to pass through margao city  on NH17 to get to the market, it's at the end just before the circle...you may have to find a place to park and walk back). If you're staying within driving distance of Margao, you can always make a separate trip to buy them, but if you're likely to be passing Margao only on the way In/Out of Goa, plan when to buy wisely as they are open only from 8am to 2pm.