Tuesday, March 6th, 2018
Distance covered: 354km
Driving: 10:30am – 5:30pm
Weather: Sunny
Lowest temperature: -10C
Border crossing: Russia – Estonia (real border control)

We got up late and supported the Russian Highway Organization by some extra loops and associated payments at the toll booth. An hour later, we reached the Peterhof Palace, located at the shore of the baltic sea and enjoyed a walk in the beautiful snow covered gardens …

… and on the frozen Baltic Sea. At the horizon we saw big cargo ships, each following its Icebreaker towards Petersburg.

Palace and gardens were heavily destroyed during World War II, but are now in perfect condition again. https://www.pinterest.de/pin/451908143839128966/?autologin=true

On our further drive towards the Russian-Estonian border in Narva, we got introduced to real Russia, which is quite different to the golden palaces, shiny Petersburg and our last hotel.

Crossing the border took again more than an hour, but this time we were luckily not forced to get anything out of the car. Singing “Ode an die Freude”, we were happy to be back in the good old European Union and even Euro Zone.

Final destination of the day was the second BSC Winter party in Raudsilla, a rural and beautiful location in an Estonian national park close to the Baltic Sea.

Accommodation was offered in heated tents and wooden houses.

We all met in a huge wooden Tipi with a massive fire place in the middle for food, drinks and stories.

Additional attraction in this beautiful and remote spot was a Sauna and hot tub.