Overland '05

Day 20 - Wed 18 May 05, Irkutsk, Russia

Up at 07:00, David was already up and about, and Guy isn't feeling that well. As the train was pulling into Irkutsk I saw our contact standing on the platform waiting for us. A short walk to the mini-bus, and then a drive out to Listvyanka. We had breakfast at our homestay, a huge bacon omelette and a stack of a pancakes - Yummy!

Guy was still feeling a bit unwell, so David and I headed off to the local museum, which deals with all aspects of Lake Biakal (on whose shores the village sits). After that it was up an out of season ski lift to get a better view of the mountains that surround the lake - it was a crystal clear day, and you could see the mountains even tho' they were 40km away.

Back to the homestay for 15:00, to find that the lady of the house had put on another huge feast! Including a blackcurrent pie.

Managed to make it out of the house with Guy, and went to have a look at the local church, very impressive it was - more so because it was moved piece by piece in the 1950's to save it from the rising waters of a hydro electric dam.

Had a sauna in the evening, and boy was that HOT. Took a walk down by the lake side at sunset, and was kept awake all night by Guy and David snoring.