Tran-Siberian 05: Ulaanbaatar - Irkutsk

"Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions..." - Dalai Lama

(Mongolia- Russia border crossing, first Russian train stop at Ulan Ude)

Day 05: Monday, 6 May 2024
Train Route: Ulaanbaatar - Irkutsk (25 hrs)
Hotel: Central Hotel Irkutsk

This morning the ladies had to use the men's washroom as the ladies washroom was out of order. Another alternative was to cross to the next carriage.

We had bread, chilli tuna and hot nescafe for breakfast on board the train.

At Ulan Ude, the train stopped for 45 minutes, so we disembarked to take pictures and stretched our legs. Ulan-Ude is a city in East Siberia, Russia. The main square Ploshchad Sovetov is home to the huge Lenin Head Monument but we did not have time to explore the city. We only stayed for a while at the station as the weather were too chilly for comfort. The rest of the morning was spent napping.

(Early morning walk in his pyjamas at Ulan Ude)

After Zohor/Asar prayers we had Kembara pack of rice and beef curry with sambal bilis for lunch on board the train. A few hours before reaching Irkurst, the train skirted Lake Baikal and we had our first glimpse of the ice covered lake. Lake Baikal is an ancient, massive lake in the mountainous Russian region of Siberia, north of the Mongolian border. It is considered the deepest lake in the world.

(Lake Baikal, frozen to the shore)

(The oldest and deepest lake in the world)

Arrived at Irkutsk Train Station at 1430 hrs almost an hour early. Porters with huge trolleys carried our luggage to the station terminal at R250 per bag. A comfortable fourteen seater Mercedes Van sent us to our hotel in Irkutsk. The Central Hotel is located not far from the park and Irkutsk walking street. At the hotel, we had a complimentary hot drinks and croissant for afternoon tea. After a short rest we had a walking tour around the hotel. We changed some Euros to Rubles and bought a Russian sim card.

(A great example of old Russian architecture)

(Monument sculpture of Vladimir Lenin)

The weather was pleasantly cool for an evening stroll in the Central Park. There is a small garden with couple of iron sculptures. A fountain is the main centrepiece of the garden.

(Leonid Gaidai, the film director of the film 'The Caucasian Captive')

(Sculpture of the three main characters from the film)

Bought fruits at the fruit market. The bustling and colorful fruit stalls were manned by friendly Muslims most likely from the Buryat regions.

 

(Outdoor fruits and vegetables market)

We had kebab dinner at one of of the halal restaurants near the Central Market, quite a distance from our hotel.

(Kebab and bread for dinner)

On the way back to the hotel we walked along the Uritskogo Walking Street of Irkutsk where historical buildings are left intact. This is also the place where street musicians and performers usually go to entertain the public.

(The beautiful sunset at Irkutsk Walking Street)

(Hotel Central Irkutsk, our lodging for two nights)

👈👈Day 04: Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk, Russia🚂

Day 06: Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Russia👉👉