Tomsk, Stolby, Tayshet, Irkutsk

When I look at the map, have done a lot of driving and seen a lot. so its time for a break here in Irkutsk.

After 2 nights in the car I looked ones again in the Lonely planet and Tomsk comes recommended. a relatively small city with a lot of universities. but most off al nice surroundings and wooden houses. so I steered towards it, as this would mean I have to backtrack an 100km later. I have made an account on couch surfing a. few years ago and thought let give it a chance. and not long from then I was in a typical Siberian home just outside Tomsk. The whole family was there mother and father where a tea trader and farmer. there Chinese and Russian tea is drunk all over the world. including 2 clients in Amsterdam. they all spoke perfect English, and learning Spanish and France. there youngest son I didn't see much. but there eldest son wanted a to go to university of film. so it was a classical movie night. an Italian film from the 60s I think, I don't remember anymore. sorry. what they found strange what attracts me to Mongolia, I found that hard to explain.

The city itself stood up to the recommendation, I went to the museum with a watch tower over the city. used to watch for fires in the city long ago. didn't pay for the museum so only went there for the lookout. the rest off the city had nice parks, some old wooden buildings with nice decorations. a typical Siberian way of building.

I set off towards Stolby, a tip from a local. a beautiful National reserve with a lot of animals. including bears. There are some well marked routes try the forrest so set off on 1 of them. Not knowing what I would see, or how long it was, as all the signs where in English. Just had to remember orange, this was 1 of 2 that would circle back to the parking. about 2,5 later I was at the starting line with a small creek. first a steep uphill than downhill with a small flat bit in between. the locals do run here and I see a lot of people arriving and going in running clothes. Also there is a lot of rock climbing routes. the climbing one with shorts, the safety guy downstairs with the rope in full winter clothes. made camp in the parking lot, and had a nice 'talk' with a taxi driver. before I turned in. very quite after nightfall.

next up was Tayshet, Actually just an overbite stay as I was planning an big drive to Irkurkst the next day. was nice to see Igor again, and have some great food from cooked by his wive. special thank as they didn't know I was coming, and gave them short notice.

Irkutsk started of with a car doing handbrake turns around the main park. and a guy walking the street with a 2 meter snake around his lake. thats normal I guess. also this more looking like an asian city than all before. most cars are right hand site driven. something good to know.

Irkutsk itself is an old city with lots off wooden building in between boring concrete structures. I saw some pictures off horses and carriages on the street in the local history museum and learn something about the china to Russian tea route. in the tea museum next door. saw a beautiful church so went to have a look.

Irkutsk is worth a visit, and is a main hopping point for the magical lake Baikal, only 60 km away. with a river flowing trhu the city from the lake with crystal clear water. for the first time in Russia encounter the main market, I like to walk around markets. there is always great food to get there, and local produced fruits and veggies. it dosnt look very different from what you see in Asia. stalls that only sell cookies al together, same with fish and meat. haven't seen anything very strange yet. also getting a bit exited because e Mongolia isn't far now!