Baikal is Dad!

Baikal is not only the deepest lake in the world, but since 1996 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lake with the largest supply of fresh water. And on the largest island of freshwater lake there is a reservoir Shara-Nur with salt mineral water and therapeutic mud. The area of Baikal is almost 3.5 times larger than the area of Cyprus.

 

After a two-day trip by train on the route Perm-Irkutsk at the tourist base, we were waiting for the first test. The rain and wind piercing to goosebumps, which intensified every hour, by the evening turned into the strongest wind called "Sarma", its speed reaches 40-60 m / s. But our guide Alexey was ready for everything. And while one part of the group washed in the bath, the other strengthened their tents set up during the day.

 

For three days on the mainland, we managed to “scour” all the local bays and capes, for the first time to swim in Baikal, also took an excursion to one of the islands of the Small Sea, the so-called bay on the lake, where the water warms up best in summer.

 

 

 

 

Ogoi Island is considered the keeper of the shrine of the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. Since 2005, construction of the stupa began, thanks to it, the number of tourists has significantly increased. Despite the fact that there is a small stall with various souvenirs on the island, it is not advised to take anything out, just as it is recommended to think about the bad. The highlight of visiting the attraction is making a cherished wish.

 

But the most interesting thing was waiting for us.

 

The remaining 4 days we spent on Olkhon Island. After lunch, we quickly packed up tents, things and headed for the ferry crossing on the bandages. The place of arrival and parking of the ferry is a large souvenir bazaar, because we have not seen such a choice anywhere. The whole process, which can be considered another excursion, lasted about an hour.

 

Olkhon is the largest island of the lake, with it established a ferry connection. The area of the island is comparable to the area of the city-state of Singapore. There are 6 settlements on the island, in which no more than 1800 people live, the largest is the village of Khuzhir, which is also the capital.

 

The life of the islanders can not be called easy, since the main income of the population is tourism, the sale of souvenirs, the delivery of housing. Problems with irrigation are another stumbling block. During the whole year, there are no more than 50 cloudy days on the island, which does not allow to fully care for agriculture.

 

In general, the water issue on the island is acute, because it is forbidden to draw water from the lake, and not everyone can do wells. One of the residents asked an interesting question to experts from the famous program “What?” Where? When? about the holes in the fence of each apartment building. It turns out that they are designed to bring water. The audience won the money they spent on the well.

 

Olkhon Island is located on the territory of the Baikal National Park, which is why it is impossible to tear down even dry trees there. In the near future, the island wants to reduce the travel of vehicles to a minimum, which will protect the flora.

 

For further accommodation, our company chose one of the local bases, which was located about 8 km from Khuzhir, a few km from the runway of the local airfield and the sandy beach with the cleanest water length of 3 km along the Sarai Bay. Swimming and walking in the sand was a pleasure.

 

 

 

 

The first excursion took place in the capital of Olkhon, where one of the nine shrines of Asia, Shamanka Rock, is located. Around the incredible atmosphere of this place, tourists accumulate more than the population of the entire island. While taking photos, you can hear the voices of not only the nearest neighbors from China, Korea, but also from Germany.

 

 

 

 

From Cape Burkhan you can arrange a small cruise on ships, boats and river trams. Not far from the rock are shamanic pillars, on which tourists tie ribbons (in most cases blue) and make wishes. There is a magical atmosphere here.

 

In the old building of the school is located local history Museum named after N.M. Revyakin There are exhibits dedicated to the life and life of the local people, from the time of the Neolithic man to the present day. Another place worth visiting is the local art gallery.

 

We walked back from the tour through the Saray Bay, where we leisurely walked along the waves of Baikal and discussed leisure for the evening. The evenings were held for heartfelt conversations at the campfire, table tennis games, tasting poses, dried omul, lagman.

 

During the day, to pass the free time, we played rackets, men went fishing, and I sometimes visited the fields, where you could be alone with myself and my thoughts.

 

 

 

 

In order not to get bored, Alexei offered one random excursion to the island of Harantsy. We had to walk at least 5 km, make a wish at the next of the local rituals. No matter how deep the “Baikal – Papa” was, we crossed the distance to the island. It opened a chic view of Olkhon, Baikal.

 

Due to the lack of a permanent population and attractions, the island turned out to be empty, which allowed many great photos to be taken, unlike Cape Burhanka and the northernmost point of Khoboy.

 

 

 

Hoboi is the next place we went for a guided tour on one of our days on the island. To reach the northernmost point of Olkhon Island, we had to drive about half the island. Since there are no roads on Olkhon, UAZiki came for us, in which we were thrown from side to side throughout the journey, but this was a remarkable and unusual trip.

 

 

 

 

All the way, we stopped a couple of times to catch our breath. One of the stops was interesting because drivers told us to look at the other side of the lake. On the other side there were small hills, on which not everyone could see the outlines of Leo Tolstoy and a girl with loose hair. What a surprise it was when I saw the features of a great writer on one of the hills.

 

At the end of the way we were waiting for amazing views from the observation deck, the most cute gophers and many foreign tourists. The “headliner” of the trip was a freshly boiled ear from local omul from drivers and a vegetable salad.

 

 

 

 

Sitting on endless fields and thinking, you realize that time flies faster than we think. Four days on the island came to an end, we experienced many experiences, trials, but the whole trip left only the best emotions. Charged with local shamanic energy and impressions for life, because “Baikal – Papa” is a place for which it is worth working, saving money and then spending it.

 

I haven’t been to Baikal, I don’t think I’ve traveled at all.

 

 

 

 

The way back in two and a half days I was riding in a car with young guys who had time to visit Ushkany islands, where I saw local residents of fauna, seals, which we were lucky to see in the Irkutsk nerpinary. These cute creatures touch to tears and can give you a picture painted with short but cute flippers.

 

Once you go to Baikal, you will understand that you did it for good reason and are ready to return again. The tourist season on Baikal is not limited to the summer period, because in winter, when Baikal freezes, the ice turns into one of the most unusual phenomena of nature, which you can admire for hours.

 

I hope that one day I will be able to visit the fabulous Baikal.

 

Text and photo: Anna Drozdova