Will have to make this one a quick one. Lake Baikal largest lake in the world couldn't see much of it as weather was super crappy and it was covered in mist but didi see it the first day. Apparently it adds 25 years to your life if you swim in it, couldn't resist it so at a chilling 9 degrees I coudn't resist. After a couple of dya there we spent the day in Irkustk then back on the train to Mongolia. this trip much shorter 2 nights & 1 day but around 6 hors spent on border crossings. don't know when I will be able to up date blog again as will be going into China in a few days & because of the whole communist thing certain websites are band. Mmm. See you ... read more

Well I have managed to pack in all the Russian eras , the Zsars, the Bolshoviks, the Red Army, communism, Cold War and even a dead and very well preserved dictator. I have photographed more churches than songs of praise could ever feature on TV. Seen what Russia wants to be proud of and the darker side of their history which they are not so proud of, but all of which is very much a must see. Nearly forgot, oh my god, the underground stations are like exquisite 1930s' dance halls, you get off the train and you walk onto the platform and it makes you want to grab the man next you and start waltzing around. However still not feeling the Russian vibe, I was expecting Ladas, oppression, food shortages and queues for bread, vodka ... read more

7-9th June What a couple of days! I have managed to see more land marks, musuems, columns, military posts, churches and palaces that could be seen in ten lifetimes. The city has more opulance than Alladins cave and it shows as the people of St Petersburg are very proud of their city and it shows. Every building has been either restored is under restoration or has been lovingly taken care of and nothing in the city has been built higher than Alexanders column, (which I know that means nothing to you), so basically there is no awful high rise buildings and only the real magnificent buildings are seen on the cities skyline. The city is built on a series of canal and water ways and at 1.30 am all the bridges are drawn up and you ... read more