Day 14 - 4/8/11 -Thursday

Leaving sleepy Lysvyanka was due, as we were both back feeling ok, and keen to move onto newer pastures. Driving 1 hour back to the Irkusk station, we enjoyed our last views of lake Baikal, hopeful of return one day, however realising that it may or may not be the case. In any case, admiring her beautiful blue waters for one last time. Our driver was Katia, and when Cinthia commented "This reminds me of Austria", Katia responded, "Yes, we get that comment from quite a few travellers". Lake Baikal is not like many Australian lakes (e.g. Lake Eyre) with relatively flat surrounds, it is immediately mountanous, and the mountaneous are lush and tree laden.

The other highlight in transit was the frequent usage of the roofed concrete bus stops by the free roaming cattle. Given the warm midday sun, the cows quite rightfully decide that the bus stops are nice areas out of the hot sun, and hence stand, or even laydown within them. Unfortunately, the buses that are scheduled to arrive at these bus stops don't take cattle class. Unfortunately we were so bemused by the scene we didn't take a photo.

Leaving our luggage at an Irkursk hotel, we immediately resorted to reconnecting to cyberworld, like two internet information junkies. Cinthia- Facebook, important to check us in at Irkursk of course, me Supercoach, and sports news. Wilderness is great, but so is technology I guess. A little different from the Cossack days even 150 years ago, when Moscow and St. Petersburg must have felt like a planet away.

We spent most of the remaining afternoon completing 3 tasks, finding lunch, stocking up supplies for the trip, and admiring the cities architecture. The first task would at first mention appear easier than it proved, as we searched for more than an hour to find somewhere to eat that wasn't only selling ice cream or street food. At once stage, with fading energy levels, I mentioned to Cinthia.....it is no wonder Communism failed, they sent their troops off with just vodka and ice cream, hence full of sugary energy and vodka brave, however without the energy supplies of a decent meal. We did eventually manage to find a decent place to eat, although they didn't speak English, the menu also had French and English, hence we could point to what we wanted.

The main mall was lovely when draped in sun....wide, no vehicular traffic to concern the wide eyed tourist. Cinthia was happy to purchase an Irkursk T-shirt, and as such is definitely leading me on the souvener tally. The Irkurk streets are lovely, colourfully, beautiful architecture, including windows, and only occassionally blotted by Soviet architecture.

It was shortly time to go to the train station, and recommence the journey. The Irkursk station is however worth a metion of its own. Built in 1906-08, exacly the same time as Flinders St. I think, it is a lovely facade and this is mirrored on the platform side also. It is green, yellow and white, and is a nice people space outside, with East European style trams meandering past.
I think we are ready for the longest train stint of the trip.