This is the former Imperial residence of Peter I, opened in 1723. The Peterhof has a grand architectural and park with an area of over 1000 hectares, approximately 30 buildings and over 100 sculptures. The northern facade of the palace stretches to the sea and the lower park has many fountains. In the form of allegories, they represent and celebrate Russia's military prowess and navel might. The centerpiece of the Cascade is the fountain of "Samson Tearing Open the Jaws of the Lion". All the fountains operate using gravity. Inside the palace are opulent and magnificent rooms with more gilded gold!!
We travelled by hydrofoil from Peterhof to downtown St Petersburg, a 25 minute ride.
Below are Government buildings with Justice in the centre. Putin has moved many government functions to St Petersburg and reorganized government. A Russian President serves a maximum of 12 years, with each term being six years. According to our tour guide, who was born and raise in Russia, 80% of Russians like Putin and see him as a strong leader capable of change. He said, "Russians like strong men". There are women appointed to high positions in government. However because of Russian Orthodox religion, there are no women as heads of political parties and a woman would never be voted as President. Our tour guide believes that since Putin is a lawyer he is reorganizing government in St Petersburg so when his term as President ends he will move into a Chief Justice position allowing him to continue to have considerable influence in Russian politics.
Russia has been rebuilding since 1990. There are 3 women to 1 man and for this reason Russian men are given preference to women for jobs. The Russian culture is trying to encourage families to increase the population. After giving birth to the first child, a woman receives 1.5 years paid leave to stay at home and care for the child. After the 2nd child, the mother is given $10,000 U.S. to be used for housing, pension, or the children's education. It must be applied to one of these. After the birth of the 3rd child the mother receives free land.
In 2018 Russia will host the FIFA World Cup Soccer. This is the new stadium being constructed and many infrastructures are also being updated in preparation for this event.
Good bye St Petersburg
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