'Volga River' Cruise

Although our cruise was billed as a Volga River Cruise, we were only on the actual Volga River for a short time.  To be technically correct we were on the "Volga-Baltic Waterway" for the entire trip.  We started on the Neva River in St. Petersburg.  Next morning we were on the largest freshwater lake in Europe, Lake Ladoga which was as rough as any ocean I've been on!  From there we went to the Svir River and then the Sheksna and after that the Rybinsk Reservoir until finally we were on the Volga.  We cruised into Moscow on the Moscow Canal.  This journey took us through a series of 20 locks.  I am amazed at the ingenuity of men to come up with this solution to river travel from sea level up to major inland cities.

 Depending on the size of the lock and the boats, one or two enter into the large rectangular structure we call a lock. There are moveable ends or gates which operate the lock  The gates are closed and water slowly fills the lock if you are going up to a higher river or water is drawn out if you are going to a lower.

Here we are entering a lock. 

This is taken from the back of the boat.  As you can see, we have just entered the lock and the gate is closing behind us. 

Notice the water level in this photo.  The water level has risen significantly.  It is easy to see the change in water level between the two photos. 

Although this is from a different lock, you can see that we are almost, but not quite, level with the river on the other side. 

And now exactly even,  so the gates are open and we can pass to the next river. 

River cruises are relaxing and the time in the locks added to that un-rushed feeling. I found these quotes which describe a river cruise perfectly.