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July 23, 2002

At night we sailed along the 140 mile-long Svir River. and 8:30 in the morning we passed through the Upper Svir Lock near the town of Podporozhye.

We studied the waterway until arriving at Mandroga. Not yet Disneyland (but working on it) we had a picnic lunch of Russian Shashlvk (Shish-Kebab) with red wine served buffet-style.
Time was spent visiting a museum of Russian vodka and traditional spirit brewing where we had a chance to become more acquainted with the history of Russian vodka industry.
The struggles that have been a large part of Russian history are even reflected in Vodka souvenirs.
We could visit with artists and crafters,view some structures built according to the Russian fine tradition of wooden architecture (with some modern adaptations it looked like to me) or just take a walk to the woods.

We passed a "Russian Stove" (bakery) where Russian pancakes (blinis) were cooking and couldn't resist stopping to watch peoples fascination for bears.

By mid-afternoon we were on our way and around 3:45 p.m. passed through the Lower Svir Lock near the riverside settlement of Svirstroy. Gradually the river was widening as we approached Lake Lagoda, the largest lake in Europe.
Supplies trucked across the ice on Lake Lagoda during World War II saved the city of Leningrad - now St. Petersburg.
Next day
Our sailing would soon be over so at night we we were treated to the Captain's Farewell and a Talent Show