We finally arrive at Irkutsk and found our new driver waiting for us on the platform.
We have no idea what the time is. There are 11 time zones in Russia but all Russian trains and timetables use Moscow time (GMT +3) regardless where in Russia we are. We finally work out Ekaterinburg was GMT +5 and now in Irkutsk GMT +8.
Our driver whisked us away in his car and drove 2 hours to Listvyanka Village. This is a Russian holiday resort an the beautiful shores of Lake Baikal. Mmm, maybe better in Summer than Winter.
We are dropped of at our hotel and soon met by another guide to orientate us. Strange looking hotel but the rooms were really nice.
Beachfront views!
Our guide takes us to a lookout where we get a panoramic view of the town and lake. On the other side of the river running into the lake is a small town where fish are processed but this is seasonal and it looks rather dead right now.
We explore the village. Past an 18th century church then to a small café. We say goodbye to our guide with instructions on next pickup time in hand, then left to our own devices. Although we do have tomorrows activity already booked.
On the way back to the hotel we had a Attenborough moment. First we learnt about the seals now we have spotted a Beaver which appears to be native to Lake Baikal. Our fury friend was having a fight for some food scraps with a large crow. This kept us entertained for at least 2 minutes. But we were excited about this find.
Unfortunately we later learnt it was just a big water rat!!
We have no idea what the time is. There are 11 time zones in Russia but all Russian trains and timetables use Moscow time (GMT +3) regardless where in Russia we are. We finally work out Ekaterinburg was GMT +5 and now in Irkutsk GMT +8.
Our driver whisked us away in his car and drove 2 hours to Listvyanka Village. This is a Russian holiday resort an the beautiful shores of Lake Baikal. Mmm, maybe better in Summer than Winter.
We are dropped of at our hotel and soon met by another guide to orientate us. Strange looking hotel but the rooms were really nice.
Beachfront views!
First stop is a few meters up the road where there is a Museum which gives us knowledge of Lake Baikal.
TheLake which is the oldest (over 255 million
years), the deepest (1.6 km) and at 636 km's long and 79 km's wide,
the banana-shaped lake is also the worlds biggest. It also holds 20 per cent of
the world's fresh water.
The
Our guide takes us to a lookout where we get a panoramic view of the town and lake. On the other side of the river running into the lake is a small town where fish are processed but this is seasonal and it looks rather dead right now.
We explore the village. Past an 18th century church then to a small café. We say goodbye to our guide with instructions on next pickup time in hand, then left to our own devices. Although we do have tomorrows activity already booked.
On the way back to the hotel we had a Attenborough moment. First we learnt about the seals now we have spotted a Beaver which appears to be native to Lake Baikal. Our fury friend was having a fight for some food scraps with a large crow. This kept us entertained for at least 2 minutes. But we were excited about this find.
Unfortunately we later learnt it was just a big water rat!!