Lake Baikal - Siberia

(L - One of our first views of the Lake - as we run around the edge)

(R - The railway line hugs the lake edge and also the seaside cliffs)

On the Wednesday evening we made the run from Ulan Ude to Lake Baikal and

stopped at Slyudyanka Station until 7.10am. Lake Baikal is actually a branch line of the Trans Siberian. This was also the last part of the whole line that was constructed, due to difficulties and cost. The original route ran to the east side of the Lake and then passengers transferred to ships to cross the lake and joined the train on the west coast

side.

(L - More high cliffs beside the line)

(R - Our train stops for us to climb up on the engine)

The lake freezes over in winter and there were originally 2 ice breakers purchased from England to help with crossings in winter. One of these vessels had railway lines, and the carriages could run straight into the vessel. In the dead of winter crossings were made on the solid ice crust, with the carriages dragged over the ice.

(L - Faye climbs aboard the engine)

(R - The views from the engine as we travel around the branch line.

The branch line was constructed but is now by-passed entirely with the line simply being a branch line mainly used by tourist travelers. The line is very windy, twisting around the lake shore, which limits speeds to just above walking speed. Tourist numbers are fairly large though and there are about 3 trains a day.

(L - Some brave - others said foolhardy!- souls braved the waters for a swim - but only for a few minutes!!

(R - Whilst the train staff set up a table to serve vodka or champagne to the swimmers - I took the champagne but passed up on the swim)

The views are spectacular, and due to our reduced speed the train manager arranged for passengers to be able to travel on the cat walk around the engine as we proceeded along the journey.

(L - Our spot for the Lake swim)

(R - Lake Baikal has some fish found nowhere else - and the locals take the opportunity to catch and smoke)

Lake Baikal also has a breed of seal, which look just like balloons blown up. They have 2 at the local Museum.

(L - Our train at the Lake swim spot - we have become accustomed to simply walking across train tracks - but draw the line at climbing under the blocking train - as we have seen some locals do!!)

(R - We arrive at the station of Port Baikal - a throwback to the old days when the train collected the passengers who had just crossed the lake by steamer to rejoin the Trans Siberian railway - and we walk across the tracks!!)

(L - We walked down to the boat)

(R - On our boat cruise)

We had a boat cruise on the Lake followed by a visit to the Museum of Wooden Architecture which features many of the skills of the early builders who didn’t even use nails!!

(L - The other side of the lake boasts a number of resort hotels and a "beach" - of sorts)

(R - The Museum has a model of the British built ice breaker that carried the early Trans Siberian trains across the near frozen lake)

The area also hosts a Museum of Wood, which features many old buildings – all constructed with wood, and often no metal nails to hold them all together.

(L - Faye at the museum - beside a stuffed Sturgeon fish - the source of caviar, which Faye is quite fond of!)

(R - The rotund Lake Baikal seal)

(L - At the local wood Museum, I wasn't quite sure just what you COULD do?!)

(R - An early fort reconstructed at the Museum)

(L - More of the wooden buildings in the Museum)

(R - Our barbeque at Lake Baikal - with Faye tucking into another course, and of course an Australian wine)

Our day finished with a barbeque by a stream feeding into Lake Baikal. Fortunately the weather held for us – the previous trip had their barbeque washed out by rain and they partook of the food back on board the train.

(L - As we rejoined our train and made the trip back to the main line, the sun set over Lake Baikal)

MONGOLIA - ULAN BATAAR

Around 10pm one evening, the train reached the Russian border and the authorities came on board to collect passports. The Russian people wanted to check our pictures with our faces, and return the passports in person, so we had to wait around until that was finished – about 2 ½ hours.

Then the train moved off for the short trip across the border and the Mongolian authorities came aboard. However, they just knocked on our door, and came in and collected the passports from the table where we had left them.

We awoke early next morning to see what sort of country we were passing through – we could see the local Gers (the nomadic home of the Mongol herders) and groups of horses and cattle.

At Ulan Bhaatar (the Capital of Mongolia) we visited the Gandan Buddhist Monastery, then drove 1 ½ hours out of town to visit the Terelj National Park, and be shown a Ger. In the afternoon we drove back to town to visit ShukheBaatar and the National History Museum before having shopping time and attending for dinner. Dinner was accompanied by a very good musical group – which included Mongolian Throat Singing.

(R - A Mongolian Train Official stands on her post and signals the train that all is OK to proceed)

(L - Our train wends its way toward Ulan Bataar)



(R - A settlement of Gers on the hillside)


(L - Ulan Bataar is a very poor city)

(L - A visit to the Gandan Buddhist Monastery)

(R - Terelj National Park)

(L - Inside a Ger - the traditional home of the Mongols)

(R - A square in Ulan Bataar)

(L - Ther square by night)

(R - Back to the train by 10pm and a very much appreciated bed)

RUSSIA - VLADIVOSTOK AND TRANS SIBERIAN

We arrived by air into Vladivostok. The city is perched on the hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

It was once a closed port and the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet, which now features prominently in their museums!! We were told that the city currently has 2 seasons – summer and reconstruction – they are preparing for a big international conference in 2012, so are tearing up the city and roads to rebuild everything. They are also building a massive bridge which will be one of the biggest in the world – WHEN completed! Locals are not sure if it will all be finished in time. And the city appears to be one large traffic jam!! And parking is a massive problem. Traffic drives on the right but vehicles can be either left or right hand drive as they import large numbers of second hand cars from Japan, and the Russians are NOT going to be deprived off their cars!!!

(L - Our train - the long blue one in the back ground)

(R - Our welcome glass of champagne in the meeting hall)

After a tour of Vladivostok we were taken to our train – the Golden Eagle – our luggage was already aboard in our cabins. We were welcomed with a glass of champagne and then taken to board our train.

There was a brass Band playing to welcome us. Our cabin stewards guided us to our car – we were car 10 – the last car, but for the start we were at the front of the train. It appears that when leaving Moscow trains run forward, but backwards when returning.

(L - Faye is welcomed aboard by our two carriage attendants)

The train has all facilities just like a large hotel - dining cars, lounge cars, kitchen and of course bedrooms, which convert to seats during the day.

Cars are inter Cars are interconnected, so you could walk from one

end of the train to the other. The only extra from a hotel is the swaying motion all the time – especially if the track is rough!!

(L - The corridor down the carriages)

(R - The cabin ready for day use)

(L - The lounge car)

(R - The cabin ready for sleeping - the upper bunk swings down)

(R - The dining car)