The Weather Dictates Navigation

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Still not online today – geographic isolation, or the result of the global cyberattack we’ve heard has impacted Russia more than any other of the 100 countries affected??

We learned last night that what had been probable had become definite: today’s planned cruise on Lake Onega and visit to Kizhi Island have been cancelled due to the fact that there is too much ice still on the lake.  Though we’d been advised of this likelihood prior to our departure last week, it is nevertheless a disappointment.  Kizhi Island is a national open air museum, with over 80 historical wooden buildings, most notably the Transfiguration Church.  Topped by 28 domes, the wooden church is said to have been built without any nails; unfortunately, we can’t personally verify that on this trip!

We did take advantage of the fact that we were ship-bound today to sleep in this morning, waking up to see significant ice floes right alongside the ship and a large ice field extending beyond.  We heard later that an ice breaker had been called into service to clear our passage.  The scenery soon changed, as we passed through several locks and along riverbanks lined with miles of stacked felled birch trees.

Throughout the day, there were talks centered on Russian language, folk music, and history, a pre-lunch champagne gathering, and tea and cakes late in the afternoon.  Despite the fact that there were no opportunities to go ashore, there was enough to do for those who chose to be busy, a chance to power down for those who wanted to take it easy for a day, the chance to opt in or out as the mood struck.

We’re assured that efforts are underway to restore Internet access to the ship, but we’re still untethered to the wider world as we approach the close of this day.