Vodkatrain - 4 days on the train, Irkutsk & Lake Baikal

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Well after Moscow we all hopped onto the train for our journey to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. At this point no body really knew each other that well as we'd only just met the day before but that was soon to change. We soon discovered some people are better able to cope with 4 straight days on the train then others, by the end of the journey some people were ready to blow, it didn't help that one of the train addendants was a mini hitler who liked to shout at everybody, for some reason he really didn't like Ed serenading him with Queen half way through the journey. Luckily for everybodys sanity there was a lovely Russian kid who quickly acquired the nickname 'Short Round', who would run around shooting everyone with his toy gun and generally entertaining everybody, I think his mum was thankfull that she didn't have to put up with him the whole time as he never seemed to run out of energy and would be waiting outside your compartment in the morning to shoot who ever was first up.

Everybody was very thankful when we eventually got to Irkutsk, (for a start it meant no more instant noodles for a couple of days). We went straight from Irkutsk to where we were staying, a place called Chalet Bisel in a little village on the edge of Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal was absolutely beautiful, a lake the size of Belgium containing something like 20% of the worlds fresh water supply and it was completely frozen over. People were driving across the lake in 4x4's and going ice fishing, it was a gorgeous sight and the people seemed to be alot friendlier then Moscow aswell. We had a few days in Lake Baikal so we got to go Tubing one day which consisted of sliding down a kind of ski slope/tobogan run in massive inner tubes which was great fun, until a couple of peoples nearly knocked them selves out! The next day had the highlight of the trip up till that point which was the dog sledding, it was great fun, getting to drive a sled as it was pulled along by 8 Huskies barking their heads off. They are amazing animals all they want to do is run and run and run, getting them to stop isn't easy yet when they have they are the most lovely dogs in the world, no biting or growling at all. I'm running out of time so I'll have to leave it there for now, more to come soon hopefully.

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Photos

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Jo trying to cool down on the train. The Russians like it really hot on the trains.

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Our little friend 'Short Round', he kept us all entertained on the long journey.

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My Bunk in our compartment of four.

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More Short Round

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Kris and Jo, a lovely Kiwi couple on there way home to see their family after being away for 2 years.

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One of the many stations on the way, haven't a clue where I'm afraid

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Another station this one memorable mainly because it was call Hobo something

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Our train from the outside.

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Some of the beautiful scenery.

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...and some more.

Comments

[Geoff Punnett (Mike's Dad)]

Looking forward to seeing your photos of the train journey, Lake Baikal and Beijing. So glad to hear you've been enjoying the trip and nothing to unpleasent. Keep in touch and keep safe. Lots of Love Mum and Dad

[russ]

sounds like your having an amazing time punnett! Looks bloody cold tho mate, how you coping with that? Keep the blogs coming, they are a nice read! stay safe!!

[Old Green Pike]

Cheers Russ, It wasn't too cold actually, we were all expecting it to be a lot worse. It was just getting into spring so all the snow was melting. Trying to cope with the bloody heat in Thailand is a lot worse I haven't stopped sweating the whole time I've been here! Hope ypu're having a good time back in Bristol mate.