Baikal Travel Blogs, Travelogues and Travel Journals

Back on the train again. The train left Irkutsk at an impossibly early hour at 4:45 in the morning. The two of us staggered groggily towards our compartment, only to find it full of luggage, and an antique German traveller. The male rail attendant took our tickets, checked his list, and motioned us to move to the next compartment, which we could have all to ourselves because the train wasn't too full. Naturally he wanted to have a small tip for this 'service' (he disguised this by bringi…

We spent a night at Lake Baikal which contains 20% of the world's fresh water reserve.  It harbours more endemic species of plants and animals than any other lake in the world.  It is big and beautiful.  We stayed at the little quiet mountain town of Listvyanka on the lakeside. At Listvyanka we were first taken to our homestay up up a litter-strewn muddy street flanked by junkyards and beautiful Siberian wooden houses with intricately-dressed windows.  We cringed.  B…