Russia/Finland/Norway Travelogue Photos — Monique's Reflections

RUSSia-FINLAND-NORWAY Travelogue Photos

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness."

- Mark Twain -

St. Petersburg, Russia - Smolny Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Smolny Cathedral

St. Petersburg, St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Ceiling of the dome in St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Ceiling of the dome in St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Interior of St. Isaac's Cathedral (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Interior of St. Isaac's Cathedral (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Ceiling of the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Ceiling of the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Marble column inside St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Marble column inside St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Bust of A. Montferrand, French architect of St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Bust of A. Montferrand, French architect of St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Statue of the writer Alexander Pushkin, in front of the Russian museum

St. Petersburg, Russia - Statue of the writer Alexander Pushkin, in front of the Russian museum

St. Petersburg, Russia - Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

St. Petersburg, Russia - Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(3)

St. Petersburg, Russia -  Inside the Winter Palace(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Painting of Catherine the Great at the Hermitage Museum

St. Petersburg, Russia - Painting of Catherine the Great at the Hermitage Museum

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inlaid floors in the Winter Palace reception rooms (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inlaid floors in the Winter Palace reception rooms (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Reception rooms in the Winter Palace (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Reception rooms in the Winter Palace (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(5)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(5)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(7)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(7)

St. Petersburg, Russia -  Inside the Winter Palace(6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Eternal Spring sculpture by Rodin

St. Petersburg, Russia - Eternal Spring sculpture by Rodin

St. Petersburg, Russia - The Palace Square and Statue of Alexander I from the Winter Palace (6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The Palace Square and Statue of Alexander I from the Winter Palace (6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Contemporary sculpture of Peter the Great

St. Petersburg, Russia - Contemporary sculpture of Peter the Great

St. Petersburg, The Winter Palace from one of the bridges over the Neva River.

St. Petersburg, The Winter Palace from one of the bridges over the Neva River.

St. Petersburg, Russia - Artistic dessert for lunch at the Tchaikovsky Restaurant

St. Petersburg, Russia - Artistic dessert for lunch at the Tchaikovsky Restaurant

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Poster for Swan Lake with the Jacobson Ballet, at the Mikhailovsky theater

St. Petersburg, Russia - Poster for Swan Lake with the Jacobson Ballet, at the Mikhailovsky theater

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul fortress and church

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul fortress and church

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Statue of Nicholas I on St. Isaac's square

St. Petersburg, Russia - Statue of Nicholas I on St. Isaac's square

St. Petersburg, Russia - Soviet-era subway from the 1950s(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Soviet-era subway from the 1950s(2)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (1)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (1)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (2)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (2)

Peterhof, Russia - Catherine the Great's own Summer House

Peterhof, Russia - Catherine the Great's own Summer House

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (3)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (3)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (4)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (4)

Helsinki, Finland - Bikes are as common as in Holland (here at a train station)

Helsinki, Finland - Bikes are as common as in Holland (here at a train station)

Helsinki, Finland - Parliament Bldg

Helsinki, Finland - Parliament Bldg

Helsinki, Finland - Lutheran Cathedral

Helsinki, Finland - Lutheran Cathedral

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (1)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (1)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (2)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (2)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (3)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (3)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (4)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (4)

Helsinki, Finland - Sculpture dedicated to Jean Sibelius

Helsinki, Finland - Sculpture dedicated to Jean Sibelius

In memory of the Finnish long-distance runner medalist at 1952 Olympics

In memory of the Finnish long-distance runner medalist at 1952 Olympics

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Inari, Finland - SIIDA Museum of the Sami, in Lapland

Inari, Finland - SIIDA Museum of the Sami, in Lapland

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (1)

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (1)

Another lovely village along the coast of Norway

Another lovely village along the coast of Norway

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (3)

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (3)

Ivalo, Finland - A reindeer farm outside of Ivalo

Ivalo, Finland - A reindeer farm outside of Ivalo

Ivalo, Finland - Home-hosted dinner with the local family owning the deer farm

Ivalo, Finland - Home-hosted dinner with the local family owning the deer farm

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, on our Hurtigruten cruise (1)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, on our Hurtigruten cruise (1)

Hammerfest, Norway - Visitor Center

Hammerfest, Norway - Visitor Center

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots sailing south along the Norwegian Coast - 422 (8)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots sailing south along the Norwegian Coast - 422 (8)

Hammerfest, Norway - Home of the worldwide Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, born in 1963

Hammerfest, Norway - Home of the worldwide Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, born in 1963

Tromso, Norway - Midnight concert at the cathedral

Tromso, Norway - Midnight concert at the cathedral

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (2)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (2)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (3)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (3)

Norway - One of the bridges connecting islands off the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (4)

Norway - One of the bridges connecting islands off the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (4)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (5)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (5)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(1)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(1)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(3)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(3)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(4)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(4)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord (6)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord (6)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (1)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (1)

Norway - Our Hurtigruten ship, the Kong Harald

Norway - Our Hurtigruten ship, the Kong Harald

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (3)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (3)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (1)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (1)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(1)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(1)

Area of the Seven Sisters Mountains - 541 (8)

Area of the Seven Sisters Mountains - 541 (8)

Norway, Rorvik- The Performing Arts Center (1)

Norway, Rorvik- The Performing Arts Center (1)

Sailing down the Gulvangen Fjord

Sailing down the Gulvangen Fjord

Norway - Stave church on the way to Oslo

Norway - Stave church on the way to Oslo

Norway, Trondheim - Commemorative site for the Norwegian soldiers shot at that spot by the Germans

Norway, Trondheim - Commemorative site for the Norwegian soldiers shot at that spot by the Germans

Norway, Trondheim - City streets (2)

Norway, Trondheim - City streets (2)

Norway, Trondheim -  The Cathedral (2)

Norway, Trondheim - The Cathedral (2)

Norway, Trondheim - Statue of Leif Erickson

Norway, Trondheim - Statue of Leif Erickson

Norway - Sailing into Bergen  (1)

Norway - Sailing into Bergen (1)

Norway, Bergen - One of King Harold's summer residence

Norway, Bergen - One of King Harold's summer residence

Norway, Bergen - The Waterfront in old Bergen  (1)

Norway, Bergen - The Waterfront in old Bergen (1)

Norway, Bergen - The Old City

Norway, Bergen - The Old City

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen  (1)

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen (1)

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen  (2)

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen (2)

Norway - More lovely spots, on the way to Oygarden  (2)

Norway - More lovely spots, on the way to Oygarden (2)

Norway, Bergen - More lovely spots by the water (1)

Norway, Bergen - More lovely spots by the water (1)

Norway, Bergen - Downtown (2)

Norway, Bergen - Downtown (2)

Norway, Bergen - Downtown, Save the Children monument

Norway, Bergen - Downtown, Save the Children monument

Norway, Gudvangen - Sculptures at the cruise boat terminal (1)

Norway, Gudvangen - Sculptures at the cruise boat terminal (1)

Norway, Gudvangen - The cruise boat terminal

Norway, Gudvangen - The cruise boat terminal

Norway - Sailing the Gudvangen Fjord (1)

Norway - Sailing the Gudvangen Fjord (1)

Norway, Gudvangen - Sculptures at the cruise boat terminal (3)

Norway, Gudvangen - Sculptures at the cruise boat terminal (3)

Norway - Train ride from Flam (2)

Norway - Train ride from Flam (2)

Norway - Train ride from Flam (3)

Norway - Train ride from Flam (3)

Norway, Oslo - Flower memorials for the murdered children at the Cathedral (2)

Norway, Oslo - Flower memorials for the murdered children at the Cathedral (2)

North Pole marker along the Norway coast

North Pole marker along the Norway coast

The marker for the Arctic Circle - 533 (2).JPG

St. Petersburg, Russia - Smolny Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Ceiling of the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inlaid floors in the Winter Palace reception rooms (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Reception rooms in the Winter Palace (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace, Throne of Peter the Great (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Inside the Winter Palace(5)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Eternal Spring sculpture by Rodin

St. Petersburg, Russia - The Palace Square and Statue of Alexander I from the Winter Palace (6)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul cathedral(2)

St. Petersburg, The Winter Palace from one of the bridges over the Neva River.

St. Petersburg, Russia - Artistic dessert for lunch at the Tchaikovsky Restaurant

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (1)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (2)

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (3)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul fortress and church

St. Petersburg, Russia - The banks of the Neva and canals (4)

St. Petersburg, Russia - Soviet-era subway from the 1950s(2)

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (1)

Peterhof, Russia - Catherine the Great's own Summer House

Peterhof, Russia - Peter the Great's Summer Palace and Gardens (4)

Helsinki, Finland - Bikes are as common as in Holland (here at a train station)

Helsinki, Finland - Parliament Bldg

Helsinki, Finland - Lutheran Cathedral

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (1)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (2)

Helsinki, Finland - Temppeliaukio Church (3)

Helsinki, Finland - Sculpture dedicated to Jean Sibelius

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland - Kauppatori, open air market in Helsinki

Inari, Finland - SIIDA Museum of the Sami, in Lapland

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (1)

Another lovely village along the coast of Norway

Inari, Finland - Open-air museum of the Sami Culture at the SIIDA (3)

Ivalo, Finland - A reindeer farm outside of Ivalo

Ivalo, Finland - Home-hosted dinner with the local family owning the deer farm

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, on our Hurtigruten cruise (1)

Hammerfest, Norway - Visitor Center

Hammerfest, Norway - Home of the worldwide Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, born in 1963

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (2)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (3)

Norway - One of the bridges connecting islands off the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (4)

Norway - One of numerous lovely spots down the coast of Norway, sailing south on our Hurtigruten cruise (5)

Norway - Sailing down the Trollfjord(3)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (1)

Norway - Our Hurtigruten ship, the Kong Harald

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (2)

Norway - Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands (3)

Norway - The Lofoten Islands (1)

Area of the Seven Sisters Mountains - 541 (8)

Norway, Rorvik- The Performing Arts Center (1)

Sailing down the Gulvangen Fjord

Norway - Stave church on the way to Oslo

Norway, Trondheim - Commemorative site for the Norwegian soldiers shot at that spot by the Germans

Norway, Trondheim - City streets (2)

Norway, Trondheim -  The Cathedral (2)

Norway - Sailing into Bergen  (1)

Norway, Bergen - The Waterfront in old Bergen  (1)

Norway, Bergen - The Old City

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen  (1)

Norway, Bergen - Sunset on the Waterfront in old Bergen  (2)

Norway - More lovely spots, on the way to Oygarden  (2)

Norway, Bergen - Downtown (2)

Norway, Bergen - Downtown, Save the Children monument

Norway, Gudvangen - The cruise boat terminal

North Pole marker along the Norway coast

The marker for the Arctic Circle - 533 (2).JPG