Traveling around the world: Trans Siberian Express Moscow To Irkoetsk

Trans Siberian Express Moscow To Irkoetsk

We traveled some time zones, and here we are, quite some distance from Moscow. Irkutsk to be exactly. To began in Moscow where we stayed some days visiting the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Basilica, Lenin's mausoleum and even a ballet at the Bolshoi theater (we have seen Don Quixote, tickets were sold on the black market. We had caviar and drank champagne from plastic cups during the break). The metro is an efficient way to travel through the city and is very beautiful, each station has its own Art Deco style.

First stage was from Moscow to Irkutsk. Second stage from Irkutsk to Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, and third stage from Ulan Bator to Beijing. At our first stage we had to share the coupé with a skunk, a lad who stank of armpit sweat, what an unpleasant smell. Fortunately language barriers could be broken by playing a game of chess. He could play chess well.

During our trip we could buy some tasty local snacks at stations where we stopped for 15-20 minutes, from smoked fish to pancakes with goat cheese. We drank a lot of beer with all nationalities we met at the train and played cards. It was real fun. Scenery was not so beautiful though.

When we arrived at Irkutsk we went straight to Lake Baikal by bus. Music from Modern Talking was played out loud at the bus station: 'You're My Heart, You're My Soul'. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world with unique flora and fauna. It is the Baikal seal's habitat. We stayed in a small house of wood with a family. We had to do our poo poo on the box in the poop shed back in the garden. Alongside stood the 'bathroom'. Before you could have a shower we first had to fetch water from the well, 400 meters away. We had good food, hiked, sailed, swam (brrrrrrrr) and hung out in the local pub. Few people wanted to speak English with us.