DAY 3 - Went early to hang around Lenin's tomb which opened at 10am to avoid the queues. Foiled by the system again! No-one tells you that the queue to Lenin is actually quite a way from the entrance to the tomb so by the time I worked it all out the queue was already snaking around and it was an hour wait to see the good man. Once you had dropped off your camera and mobile phone (if it takes photos), you then had to get through the bag search (was I going to sneak him out in my bag?), and body scan. If you passed those tests you got to file past all the other important dead people until you got to the tomb itself. Then down into the darkness and filing past Lenin ... read more

Hotel Vladimir was really nice, expecially hen you need a really, really long shower after 2 days on a train. Also the buffet breakfast was a pleasant surprise, after the woeful one I got from the Tomsk hotel. This one was the whole works, bread, cold meats and cheese, cereal, quiche, fruit, yoghurt or something like it, salad, tea/coffee and juice. Enough about the hotel. The main drag of Vladimir was buzzing with activity. I'm sure I passed a lot of interesting things just because I couldn't read the signs to know what they were. I did have trouble finding an internet cafe though, there are a few free wi-fi places but where was the internet. It was like searching for Godo. It wasn't where the LP said it was. It took me until the 2nd ... read more

The receptionist at the Sputnik Hotel in Tomsk had promised a 'free pickup' from the train station and I had confirmed via email the previous day, but there was no-one there to meet me (surprise?) so I walked quite a way into town to find the hotel. The girl informed me that they'd sent a taxi to meet me and it would have cost 100 rubles anyway, so not really a free pickup in my book. My room was a big disappointment. I 'd paid for the lowest grade room but stilll thought it would be ok since it was a hotel but really the hostels have been better. The room is quite small and you have to share a toilet and bathroom with about 5 other rooms. The room doesn't have A/C and it is ... read more

The bus trip back to Ulan-Ude was uneventful. This time I got to sit next to a Russian guy who didn't speak any English so it was a load of laughs :(. Next day caught the day train to Irkutsk which skirts around the Lake Baikal. Unfortunately the weather wasn't that great, so the first look I got of it through the train window was in the rain and a bit gloomy. The weather did clear up a bit though and I went a bit nuts with the camera even though still on the train. We also went through a couple of long tunnels which I think must be part of the Circum-Baikal route. Arrived in Irkutsk about 4pm and found my hostel. As it stays light for so long I still had about 1/2 day ... read more

Went to the main square to witness the 'Welcoming Ceremony of the State White Banners' which is where the Naadam ceremony starts at 9am. There were marching bands and police and a cute little kid dressed up in a wrestlers outfit. This consists of a frontless jacket, mongol pointed hat (not sure what its called) and tight briefs. The marching band made its way to the Naadam Central Stadium with the crowd following. I had expected the Naadam to be more rustic but the main events were held in a stadium a bit like the MCG. The opening ceremony was full on and really interesting. Every sponsor had its own parade, the various military groups put on demonstrations, there were elaborate warrior costumes and various displays of horsemanship. The Mongolian president was there and made a ... read more