Yeketerinburg to Irkutsk & Lake Baikal

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After a lazy 50 hours on the Trans-Siberian I made it to Irkutsk. Room mates on the train this time were a little more interesting. 2 girls just went to get their visas for the UK, they're going to Oxford next year. The other guy had just driven across Russia to get a few extra Rubles by selling his car in Moscow. One of the girls sopoke fairly decent English......a lot like mine on a morning after.

Had one night in Irkutsk, then went to Lake Baikal. Its a massive lake....holds about 20% of the world fresh water reserves. Completely frozen over to about 4 meters for 4 months a year. Looked pretty spectacular.

I have put commentary with quite a few photos in this blog entry so I'm not going to write much here.......other than to say Russia has now been done.....bring on Mongolia. Heading there tomorrow evening, more train, great.


Das Veedahnya,

Shane.

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Photos

Lake Baikal
Thats a snow mobile I think...riding on the frozen lake

Roomies for the 50 hours to Irkutsk
The 2 girls just went to get their UK visas (off to Oxford next year) and the bloke drove 7 days across Russia to get a bit extra for a car he sold....how evil does he look in this photo? Nice fella though

Irkutsk
Another churchy building

Irkutsk
Just about everything is built from wood in this place

Irkutsk
Ze Germans

Irkutsk
Met Lucy at the train station looking as lost as me....we went to the 24 hr coffee shop that was shut from 7 to 7:30. Figure that out.

Irkutsk
After 3 days of noodles and shye I thought we needed a roast chook......with these monster carrots.

Irkutsk
The Admiral Hostel.....not a bad place....550 Rubles (about 11 quid a night)

Irkutsk
Big vodka session that night in the hostel

Comments

[Dean Lewis]

Nice Lake
Looks pretty awesome mate - water must have tasted fresh as a daisy! Looks like a good vodka session was had an a few Europeans so maybe a bit of banter Keep it real and enjoy Mongolia!