Sheksna River

We sailed along the Sheksna River, part of the Baltic–Volga Waterway, to our next port of call: Goritsy. Goritsy is 142 miles (274 km) from Moscow. The houses in this area are rustic, not like the houses we had been seeing. We also didn’t see any churches in the small villages.

Goritsy

Before docking in Goritsy, we passed by the Church of the Resurrection of Goritsy Nunnery, founded in 1544 by Princess Erfrosiniya, the wife of one of Ivan the Terrible’s sons. She was exiled to the convent after she and her son Vladimir were involved in a plot to assassinate Ivan. Vladimir was executed. The nunnery served as a place of exile for other “offending” women, including the mother of Prince Dmitry who was assassinated at Uglich. The nunnery was closed by the Soviets in the 1920s. We arrived at Goritsy about 11 a.m.

Goritsy

A closer–up view of the Church of the Resurrection of Goritsy Nunnery.

Goritsy

The usual souvenirs were being sold in Goritsy but here mink was also for sale: mink coats, hats, scarves, etc. For more photos of the Skeksna River and of Goritsy, go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/goritsy–going–to–and–from–goritsy–plus–the–town/

or to Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Russia, Goritsy: Skeksna River, Town.

The Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake

We took a bus up a hill above the town to Kirillov, 5 miles (8 km) from Goritsy, to visit the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake (also called St. Cyril’s Monastery and the Kirillo–Belozersk Monastery). The monastery was founded in the 14th century by a monk named Cyril after he had a vision of the Virgin Mary telling him to go north and to establish a monastery. It was one of largest and most famous monasteries in Russia. It was converted into a museum in the 1960s.

The Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake

Another view of the monastery.

The Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake

There were many icons in the museum. This one is an icon of the Savior.

The Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake

At the museum, there were a number of mannequins dressed up in period costumes. To view more photos of the monastery and its museum, go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/goritsy–st–cyrils–monastery/

or to Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Russia, Goritsy: St. Cyril’s Monastery.

The Flooded Village of Krokhino

After leaving Goritsy, we passed a church from the flooded village of Krokhino. The village was flooded when a new canal was constructed.

Vodka and Bliny Tasting Party

We ate lunch after we left Goritsy. At 4:30 p.m., it was time for the Vodka and Pancakes (Bliny) Tasting Party. This was an optional event that we had to pay extra for. Lyn and I both went to it. Photo: Caviar and a pancake, which was served with four small glasses of vodka for tasting (only one shown in the photo). One was of cranberry vodka, which I liked. I also drank one of the other samples and left two on the table so I would be able to get up from the table after the party was over. You drink the vodka straight.

Vodka and Bliny Tasting Party

This is how you are supposed to eat your pancake: spread the butter on top of the pancake and top it with caviar.

Vodka and Bliny Tasting Party–Movie

One of the musicians demonstrated the correct way to drink a glass of vodka. I have put his demonstration on a movie and also added two our tablemates (husband and wife) attempts to emulate him. Lyn and I sat at a table with four other people from the LA area, the four being originally from Chile.

Vodka and Bliny Tasting Party Music–Movie

We also had music and singing at the party. The singer is Irina and the two young women also shown in the movie are Sasha (light brown hair) and Daria (dark hair), the latter two are on–board tour guides.

Today’s Theme–Pirates

This is the ship’s reception desk decorated in today’s pirate theme.

Today’s Theme–Pirates

Alina, in the hat, Dave, and our waitresses at our Pirate’s Dinner. There was a Pirates’ Party later at nigh,t by which time I was asleep.