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Published: August 14th 2007
Sunny
Good photo!Travelling along the Trans-Siberian and camping at Lake Baikal enabled us to see some of the countryside, a contrast to the cities and town life. We've seen a vast expanse of land unoccupied by humans! Lake Baikal is the home to many species only found in this place in the world. The lake holds a fifth of the worlds fresh water and the fauna and flora apparently is unique too. We walked along the Circum Baikal Railway, a trek many Russian hikers like to do (even though we didn't come across hardly any people while hiking!). So while hiking along this railway, we became in harmony with butterflies fluttering in our pathway, crickets leaping from sleeper to sleeper and numerous buzzing insects. We weren't so happy with the mosquitoes wanting our company though! While walking, the lake was to our left, looking clear and inviting. It was a little cold but a few people could be seen having a swim. On our map there were ample camping site signs, this actually meant that you could pitch your tent and light a fire. We camped twice, it was so peaceful and adventurous, we loved it. There were no shops, no roads, no
The longest tunnel!
780m long! Didn't really like this walk! facilities of any kind and sometimes no people, we had to be completely self sufficient, it was great! The train was a completly irregular service, only either travelled East or West on one day, meaning the train only heads in the 'correct' direction every 2 or so days. No timetables, only locals with their knowledge in Russian! So pre-organising a trip here is near to impossible, you have to take it as it happens and have lots of food with you! We ended up drinking the lake water, having hardly any food but luckily found a lodge that fed us well for a few days until the train came! We were literally stuck in the countryside, 40km or so to the nearest town, pleasant though and lost enjoyable.
Eventually the train arrived, we met up with a few of our local friends and headed to Ulan Ude to get back onto the Trans-Siberian to take us to Vladivostok.
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Lisa
non-member comment
Hello!
Hello there Zoe and Phil! Loving all your photos, sounds like you're having a fabulous time and have visited some fascinating places - looks like you're a proper vectran backpacker/traveller now, Zoe! Enjoying your funny captions to go with some pictures! Continue enjoying your travels! Lisa x