Airships over Ingria, Thursday June 26  2008
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Trip to Oranienbaum

I had hoped for an opportunity to visit Oranienbaum and see the Grand Palace built for Alexander Menshikov. The opportunity presents itself on Thursday: there was no morning flight and Jean-Claude and Don had no use for the car and driver until after the afternoon task breafing.  I take with me Andrei, our interpreter, his girlfriend Anna, and Bill, the official bagpipe player of the event. Andrei and Anna are fine representatives of the cultured young generation, and Bill with his heavy Scottish accent and easygoing manner is fun to be with.

After one hour we arrive at the Oranienbaum park and palace ensemble on the shore of Gulf of Finland,  opposite to Kronstadt. I had wanted to see the Grand Palace before it was restored to look like it was built yesterday, but I was late. We find out that it was not to be seen at all because it is covered with scaffolding and is out of bounds to us. 

closed due to restoration
ORANIENBAUM GRAND PALACE 1711-1727, CLOSED DUE TO RESTAURATION.

Bill on scaffolds
BILL  ON THE SCAFFOLDING OF THE EASTERN CORNER  PAVILION OF THE ORANIENBAUM GRAND PALACE.
Alexander Menshikov was not born with silver spoon in his mouth, and he died stripped of his enormous wealth and high titles - Generalissimus, Field Marshal, Duke of Ingria. In between he was second only to Peter I, and after Peter's death to none. The palace was begun during the Great Northern War on the reconquered lands after battle in Poltava, where Menshikov lead the Russian forces with Peter.

Peeking through
FROM BEHIND WE COULD SEE THE CROWN ON TOP OF THE MAIN BUILDING. DETAIL.
In 1766 and 1767 the neigborhood of Oranienbaum  served as the Russian equivalent of Ellis Island, when about 30 000 colonists, mostly German and invited by Catherine II, spent there days or weeks before traveling to inner Russia. The ships from Luebeck had brought them first to Kronstadt. Their descendants became known as the Volga Germans. Their fate during Stalin’s time was similar to that of the Ingrians.
gate in Oranienbaum park
A SMALL GATE TOWER IN THE PARK OF ORANIENBAUM.
Oranienbaum Grand Palace
THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO SEE. SAME BIGGER. MENSHIKOV'S PALACE IN ORANIENBAUM HAS TWO GALLERIES AND A PAVILION IN BOTH ENDS.  NORTHERN WING. PHOTOS WITH PERMISSION FROM PETER SOBOLEV'S WANDERING CAMERA.
During stroll in the park we learn to know each other better. The young generation listen politely when Bill and I unload on them the gist of everything that we have learned in life.  On the way back we take a look at the Upper Park of Peterhof, where gold on cupolas and fountains glimmer in sunshine.
Chapel in Peterhof
A PETERFHOF CHAPEL .
Fountain and cb
A FRONT OF CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS APPROACHING PETERHOF FROM WEST COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE THE AFTERNOON BRIEFING.  BIGGER AND DIFFERENT.