From Behind the IT Curtain

 

 

From Behind the IT Curtain

I have just completed preparing the photographs from our full visit to Stockholm, and was in the process of uploading them to our Web Album, when a strange “pop-up” message appeared. I could not figure out what was going on, but it appeared that Google would no longer accept my sign on information. Finally in desperation I went to the Computer room here on the ship only to learn that the Google Web Album is a service that is now blocked by Crystal Cruises. Apparently they feel that sending photographs back home uses too much of the ship’s bandwidth and so they have blocked all such programs. I have made a little noise, but I doubt that in the end it will change anything. I will still be able to send e-mails, but not pictures. Still to be seen is what will happen when I post a blog on the globe-trotters page in which I will include some pictures. I am sorry about this because I know that many of you look forward to following along, but it is out of my hands. I am very disappointed in Crystal Cruises.

Anyway, Lisa and I completed our last full day in Stockholm yesterday by joining a group tour into the Swedish countryside. We drove north out of Stockholm and visited Maria Church which was built in the 1200’s and which is still standing in the little picturesque town of St Sigtuna. We had some time to stroll around the small village and then stopped for lunch. Afterwards we drove to a nearby area around Lake Malaren, where Steninge Palace is located. It was never actually occupied by Royalty, so the term “Palace” is a little misleading. It is however a private estate that has survived since it’s construction in the 17^th Century.  We had time for a short visit of the building itself and time to stroll the beautiful surrounding gardens before having to return to our ship, which sailed from Stockholm last evening headed for St. Petersburg, Russia.

Today is “at sea” and tomorrow we will dock at St. Petersburg, where the ship will remain for three days. Lisa and I will join a group making an overnight trip to Moscow, before returning for a one day tour of St. Petersburg. As you can see this is a busy schedule, but it is followed by back to back ports until the very end of this cruise when we once again have a leisurely day at sea before this cruise ends at Copenhagen. I may be hard pressed to write much in the coming days, but hopefully I will get caught up when we begin the second cruise where we have much more leisure time.

Jim