Monday, August 22, 2011

St. Petersburg: White Nights

During our two-day visit in St. Petersburg, we were lucky because we witnessed the Russian White Nights. This wasn't the first time I've experienced a phenomenon like this, as I've also experienced this during my three years living in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
White Nights, normally lasting from June 11th to July 2nd. The White Nights (Beliye Nochi) are a curious phenomenon caused by St. Petersburg's very northerly geographical location - at 59 degrees 57' North (roughly on the same latitude as Oslo, Norway, the southern tip of Greenland and Seward, Alaska). St. Petersburg is the world's most northern city with a population over 1 million, and its stands at such a high latitude that the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark. In fact night becomes curiously indistinguishable from day, so much so that the authorities never need to turn the city's streetlights on! (Source)
Just to show you how the White Nights were like at St. Petersburg, the photos below were taken between 10:30 PM to 12:00 AM.


In this photo, you can see that building (towards left) reflecting the sun's rays.

Since there was still daylight at night, we decided to have a White Night midnight snack at the ship's terrace. Hotdogs and lemonade.

That night, darkness never came.

9 comments:

  1. Wow that is so amazing and something I have never experienced. I am sure the downside comes in the winter though when the sun barely rises above the horizon.

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  2. that is an awesome phenomenon, i'd like to experience that some day.

    i wonder if midnight snack is an appropriate term for a little bite at that late in the hour.

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  3. @ Loree, You're right about their winter. I cannot even imagine how cold and dark it would be there during winter.

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  4. @ Photo Cache, I agree. I guess you can all it White Night snack.

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  5. Amazing. I'd love to experience that soon! I will pray real hard for miracles to come, hahaha.

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  6. Your photos are amazing and certainly capture the white night! Thank you for sharing. I have always been curious about this winter phenomenon. Someday, I, too, would love to experience white nights.

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  7. grabe! amazing! anf to think i was amazed at 8:30 pm sunlit nights! eto 10:30 pm na! haaay!

    i bet we filipinos would have a hard time sleeping! imagine, 'gabi" na may araw pa!

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  8. in other words"let us morning the night" joke:-).. want to experience it also, someday.

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  9. wow, if i were there at that time, i would sleep at daytime and roam around at night because it's so peaceful and quiet, and feels like there's a time warp or something...

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