Irkutsk to Listvyanka

We got off the train at Irkutsk, the capital of the Irkutsk Oblast and, according to our guide Natalya, largest city in Eastern Siberia.

We were met at the station by our guide Natalya, and she drove us to Listvyanka, on the shores of Lake Baikal.

We drove through the Taiga. 

During the drive we Natalya was telling us how Russian parents push and prioritize eduction. Why did that sound so similar to desi parents? 

We asked her whether she identified as Asian or European. Because her part of the world falls in Asia. 

'Neither,' she said. 'I am Siberian!'

She told us about how Eastern Siberia always voted for the opposition to whatever party was in power.

We got around to discussing the weather. We were told to prep for 1-5°, but it was close to 20 when we reached. 

This year's winter was mild. At -25°C.

Pardon me while I burrow under every single comforter I have at home.

Learnt a lot of interesting things from her.

The Angara River is the only one that flows out of Lake Baikal, while 300+ flow into it.

In peak winter the ice is at least 1 meter thick and people drive across the ice to the opposite shore. 

Apparently this winter it wasn't as thick and a few cars went down, and will be pulled out of water come summer.

There isn't enough vodka in Russia for me to digest this.

Why would anyone drive miles across ice in a lake that's a mile deep?

We checked into our hotel and are off to dinner.

Here are a few more shots of Lake Baikal from the view point near the hotel.

The mountains on the opposite shore of the lake.

More later.

Dasvidanya for now ,

From Russia... with Love