The Siberian winds started up before midnight last night blowing over 50 kph. The spring loaded steel gate to our property made one hell of a racket during the night. Got up and packed for the trip back to Irkutsk, I waited outside the property at 09:00 with our bags and Penny stayed in the warm, still blowing a gale white caps on the lake and lots of dust from the road getting tossed in the air, great way to be grit blasted. It had to be around – 25C.
The bus came at 09:30 and had to pass the baggage up to the driver who was on the bus roof. We around the town and picked up 6 other people including the Kiwi couple we had met in the Rolling Stones Hostel. There was evidence of more ice formed on the lake edges due to the major drop in temperature. The driver was driving on either side of the dirt road depending what was in the best condition. We got to the ferry and off we got, bloody hell it was freezing. There was about 100m of ice which had formed on the mainland jetty side and this was not there 3 days previous when we were there. Back on the tar seal road the end of a bumpy ride. The bus driver was driving on both sides of the road and down the middle, why? who knows. There was evidence of more snow than 3 days ago and much colder, we lucked out with the weather whilst on the island.
Five hours later back at the Rolling Stones Hostel the staff here are fantastic and so friendly. We checked into our double room and Penny realised her woolly hat and possum gloves were missing last seen left on the bus with our ruck sacks sitting on the top of them. Some one must have liked them as we got off first to have lunch at the half way place. There was a night market Penny got a very warm woolen hat and in the supermarket got a pair of thick woolen gloves at least she will be warm as it is -26 C at present.
Off for something to eat now off in the morning to Listvyanka for 4 nights a 90-120 minute bus ride.
Maurice's Travel 