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China (4)
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Mongolia (15)
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On our way to Baikal
28/06/16 13:00 Filed in: Russia | Trans-Siberia Train
Now, what’s like to be on the trans-sibirian train - the normal one, not the Zaren-Gold.
Well, it’s very, very standard and not well equipment. Simple 4 bed cabins. Sometimes clima does work, sometimes you cannot open the cabin windows for fresh air. And its cramped and so on. There are also the open coaches, not very pleasant. Would not recommend to use them but there were three ladies from Bolivia who chosed the open one on purpose. Not my cup of tea but hey.
Compared to the night trips from china which are similar looking, there are also no washing facilities apart from one basin for each toilet. If you are lucky there might be a shower available on one of the few lengthy stops - if you got the key and they would tell you.
On this first stint to Yekaterinburg I was together with Olga, Kati and here daughter Lisa. You can’t wish for a more lovely fellow passengers.
The second stint to Irkutsk I had a 4 bed cabin for myself, the next two nights two from Russia joint me. On the second train I meet quite a few tourist from all over the world: As already stated - Boliva, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Netherland, Switzerland, England, France......
As for the landscape, it wasn’t what I would have expected. Very greenish and treeish, more like somewhere in Europe, I expected far more swamps, green lands, a lot of brown lands, mountains or even hills, rivers, lakes etc. etc. At least the villages in between told you that you were somewhere else.
Well, it’s very, very standard and not well equipment. Simple 4 bed cabins. Sometimes clima does work, sometimes you cannot open the cabin windows for fresh air. And its cramped and so on. There are also the open coaches, not very pleasant. Would not recommend to use them but there were three ladies from Bolivia who chosed the open one on purpose. Not my cup of tea but hey.
Compared to the night trips from china which are similar looking, there are also no washing facilities apart from one basin for each toilet. If you are lucky there might be a shower available on one of the few lengthy stops - if you got the key and they would tell you.
On this first stint to Yekaterinburg I was together with Olga, Kati and here daughter Lisa. You can’t wish for a more lovely fellow passengers.
The second stint to Irkutsk I had a 4 bed cabin for myself, the next two nights two from Russia joint me. On the second train I meet quite a few tourist from all over the world: As already stated - Boliva, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Netherland, Switzerland, England, France......
As for the landscape, it wasn’t what I would have expected. Very greenish and treeish, more like somewhere in Europe, I expected far more swamps, green lands, a lot of brown lands, mountains or even hills, rivers, lakes etc. etc. At least the villages in between told you that you were somewhere else.
Yekaterinburg
28/06/16 12:45 Filed in: Russia | Trans-Siberia Train
In Moscow went on the trans-sibirian train again and the next major stop before the lake Baikal was Yekaterinburg.
The city is famous for steel, gold on and on and on. During the sorwjet times it wasn’t open for foreigners. But it is also known for Boris Jelzin and the shooting of the last Zar, the Romanovs.
Only had one day, but I had a damn good and funny guide. Best you can wish for. First I had simple tour de city about the modern world of Yekaterinburg as it is a city made for the industry. As a result the city is a bit of mixed bag architectural wise. Bauhaus here, modern there and in-between old merchant houses and then social housing. Compared to the ones before this city feels a lot more open and grounded. Really likable!!
But of course I went on the footsteps of the Romanovs, which means visiting the Church on the Red Blood build were they were shoot and then the place in the woods were they tried to get rid of the bodies - which is now the place of monastery.
For the rest of the day went for a city stroll before I jumped back on the trans-sibirian train.
The city is famous for steel, gold on and on and on. During the sorwjet times it wasn’t open for foreigners. But it is also known for Boris Jelzin and the shooting of the last Zar, the Romanovs.
Only had one day, but I had a damn good and funny guide. Best you can wish for. First I had simple tour de city about the modern world of Yekaterinburg as it is a city made for the industry. As a result the city is a bit of mixed bag architectural wise. Bauhaus here, modern there and in-between old merchant houses and then social housing. Compared to the ones before this city feels a lot more open and grounded. Really likable!!
But of course I went on the footsteps of the Romanovs, which means visiting the Church on the Red Blood build were they were shoot and then the place in the woods were they tried to get rid of the bodies - which is now the place of monastery.
For the rest of the day went for a city stroll before I jumped back on the trans-sibirian train.
Moscow
28/06/16 12:12 Filed in: Russia | Trans-Siberia Train
After a 3 and a half hour train I reached Moscow.
A large City, and it feels a bit like a swiss one as a lot is upper class. Off course we went to the „Roter Platz“ and the Kreml, but as everything is also on a large scale went on a hop-on guided bus tour for the rest of the day. For the second one I had a private city tour. Were lucky as the guide was very good and I could also skip the queue for the Kreml-Tour. The Kreml itself was rather surprisingly as it was really open for visitors and I could have good walk around, of course I couldn’t enter any of the main buildings apart from the cathedrals. I for sure was expecting a more strict access and a lot fenced off, but it wasn’t. Could also exit the Kreml via the main door towards the KGB - thanks to Putin this is now a public exit.
They were setting up a stage on the Roter Platz as tonight were the celebrations for the school graduates.
Visited the grave of the unkwon soldier. Late afternoon went for a small boot cruise in front of the Kreml.
In addition they were setting up small wooden shops etc for the weekend close to the Kreml and within the main shoppings street - and I’ve been told they do this for every weekend. Cool.
Late afternoon the year-end school graduates started with their celebrations. It was a bit strange for someone from the west. First every „school“ laid red roses on the grave of the unknown soldier, one ofter the other. Also the celebrations were fenced off , so we could only watch form the far.
Next a bit of night life and a stroll through the shopping streets with its restaurants, bars and pubs. At about eleven I went to the Roter Platz to see whats going on. Total mayhem. Loud music with a lot of oomph, a bit of a light show and the graduates entered from the inside of the Kreml. Yes! And at the main gate you could the see them parting inside the Kreml. A least some large beachballs were flying around. Unbelievable! And for the end a major firework for about 25min.
So, thats Moscow now.
A large City, and it feels a bit like a swiss one as a lot is upper class. Off course we went to the „Roter Platz“ and the Kreml, but as everything is also on a large scale went on a hop-on guided bus tour for the rest of the day. For the second one I had a private city tour. Were lucky as the guide was very good and I could also skip the queue for the Kreml-Tour. The Kreml itself was rather surprisingly as it was really open for visitors and I could have good walk around, of course I couldn’t enter any of the main buildings apart from the cathedrals. I for sure was expecting a more strict access and a lot fenced off, but it wasn’t. Could also exit the Kreml via the main door towards the KGB - thanks to Putin this is now a public exit.
They were setting up a stage on the Roter Platz as tonight were the celebrations for the school graduates.
Visited the grave of the unkwon soldier. Late afternoon went for a small boot cruise in front of the Kreml.
In addition they were setting up small wooden shops etc for the weekend close to the Kreml and within the main shoppings street - and I’ve been told they do this for every weekend. Cool.
Late afternoon the year-end school graduates started with their celebrations. It was a bit strange for someone from the west. First every „school“ laid red roses on the grave of the unknown soldier, one ofter the other. Also the celebrations were fenced off , so we could only watch form the far.
Next a bit of night life and a stroll through the shopping streets with its restaurants, bars and pubs. At about eleven I went to the Roter Platz to see whats going on. Total mayhem. Loud music with a lot of oomph, a bit of a light show and the graduates entered from the inside of the Kreml. Yes! And at the main gate you could the see them parting inside the Kreml. A least some large beachballs were flying around. Unbelievable! And for the end a major firework for about 25min.
So, thats Moscow now.
St. Petersburg
28/06/16 12:00 Filed in: Russia | Trans-Siberia Train
On my journey back to Ulaanbaatar. First Stop ST. Petersburg
What an impressive city! It is not that old (about 300 years), but it looks nice and very similar to Vienna but everything is on a larger scale, very! Worth a visit, better a few to get around. Anyway. Stayed in the lovely hostel „Friends of Dom Knigi“ - it only has two-bed rooms, but the interior is rather lovely. Highly recommended.
As I only had about three days I’ve done few city walks and a boot tour, which I would recommend to at least get a feel of the size of St. Petersburg. Visited the Hermitage. It is located right at the riverfront in the Winter-Palace. Very majestic. But I have to raise a complain - most of the descriptions are Russian only, thats not up to date for such an museum.
All in all an very European city with good street life. A must-visit.
What an impressive city! It is not that old (about 300 years), but it looks nice and very similar to Vienna but everything is on a larger scale, very! Worth a visit, better a few to get around. Anyway. Stayed in the lovely hostel „Friends of Dom Knigi“ - it only has two-bed rooms, but the interior is rather lovely. Highly recommended.
As I only had about three days I’ve done few city walks and a boot tour, which I would recommend to at least get a feel of the size of St. Petersburg. Visited the Hermitage. It is located right at the riverfront in the Winter-Palace. Very majestic. But I have to raise a complain - most of the descriptions are Russian only, thats not up to date for such an museum.
All in all an very European city with good street life. A must-visit.
My way back to Ulaanbaatar
13/06/16 12:53 Filed in: Russia | Trans-Siberia Train
Now the long awaited update to our Journey.
After 3 long weeks relaxing and not doing a hell lot in Germany we will back on the road... ahh... train again. Yes, we will take the Trans-Siberian Train from St. Petersburg via Moscow, Jekaterinburg, Irkutsk & Listvyanka to Ulaanbaatar.
Our beloved Landy awaits us fully restored in Ulaanbaatar (will it be the same after the awful crash? It’s a Landy....) and we will continue our small trip around Asia. After Ulaanbaatar will head down to the Gobi desert and some very interesting places before turning towards Erenhot for our Overland Journey across China towards Tibet and Nepal.
After 3 long weeks relaxing and not doing a hell lot in Germany we will back on the road... ahh... train again. Yes, we will take the Trans-Siberian Train from St. Petersburg via Moscow, Jekaterinburg, Irkutsk & Listvyanka to Ulaanbaatar.
- 20.06 Flight to St. Petersburg
- 21/22.06 Sightseeing - St. Petersburg
- 23.06 Train to Moskau
- 24.06 Guided city walk including the Kreml Area
- 25.06 Trans-Sibirian Train to Jekaterinburg
- 26.06 Jekaterinburg - Guided city walk
- 27/28.6 Trans-Sibirian Train
- 29.06 Arrival Irkutsk. Direct transfer to Listvyanka, Guided city walk Listvyanka incl Baikal-Museum
- 30.06 Stay Listvyanka, Baikal Boat Trip, return to Irkutsk
- 01.07 Irkutsk - Guided city walk
- 02.07 Trans-Sibirian Train
- 03.07 Ulaanbaatar
Our beloved Landy awaits us fully restored in Ulaanbaatar (will it be the same after the awful crash? It’s a Landy....) and we will continue our small trip around Asia. After Ulaanbaatar will head down to the Gobi desert and some very interesting places before turning towards Erenhot for our Overland Journey across China towards Tibet and Nepal.