Irkutsk

A traditional wooden Siberian building in Irkutsk.
My host Irina (left) and friend - liking the Putin treatment of Siberia.

More of Lake Baikal

I couldn't resist another visit to Listvyanka and lake Baikal, this time in colder weather and it had been snowing on the mountains since my last visit.
Returned with Paul and Aoude - French and also guests of my host, Irina.

The difference in the weather made the Lake take on an entirely different appearance.

Irkutsk and Lake Baikal

Most popular stop for tourists is the Irkutsk stop and Lake Baikal. Its not hard to see why. We arrived early (0615) and with three German friends I met on the train decided to use the day to best effect - a swim in Lake Baikal!

We took the 90 min bus to the lake which was an experience in itself and arrived at Listvyanka on the Southern part. Lake Baikal is 400 miles long, between 20 and 40 miles wide and 1637 metres deep. It is estimated it holds 20% of the worlds fresh water. It freezes to a depth of 3m for 4 months and the locals have great fun driving their cars over the ice!

As for now it is chilly but fine to swim, especially for someone used to the Bristol channel! So we swam and enjoyed the clear waters - which are completely safe to drink. Basked in the sun and shared lunch with the ants. This was a great experience, made better by sharing it with other travellers.

So now I am staying with my host, Irina, in Irkutsk. She lives some way outside the centre but the bus ride is fun as I know I only have to do it a few times! Like sardines we are packed in and driven so fast it feels at any moment the bus will turn over. 30 min bus ride 12 roubles = 25p so I am not complaining! All is well except its cold and wet today! So to some museums I think!

Into Siberia to Omsk

Admiral Kolchaks house



Took the Trans Siberian train number 2 from Moscow. Duration 7 days to Vladivostok but I am stopping at various cities on the way. I was sharing a compartment with some Russian men, large amounts of food and a large bucket of salted mushrooms! The generosity of these people is great and we managed to communicate with my basic Russian, helped by the phrase book (thanks Quentin!!) and various hand signals.

So through the Urals and Across the Europe - Asia border to Omsk my first Siberin stop - an industrial city founded on the confluence of 2 rivers the Ob and Irtyish. Dostyovsky was exiled here for a 4 years hard labour which nearly killed him and Admiral Kolchak once lived here and proclaimed Omsk the Capital of Russia. He once moved the entire Gold reserve of Russia to a bank on the high st.

Hotel was ok but breakfast less than ideal. An Ibis hotel has just opened here which would have been nice to know - useful for next time!

Lots of old wooden houses - traditional Siberian architecture which is quaint. There are plenty of concrete monsters also!