Last night back in the Rolling Stones Hostel we met up with the Chinese orthopedic surgeon who we met on the South tour of Olkhon Island and another Chinese guy from the North Tour.
Got packed this morning left one bag behind at the hostel a 15 minute walk to the bus station. Found a mini bus going to Listvyanka they depart every 30 minutes. Our bag took one seat so had to pay for it as a passenger. The 90 minute trip cost about £8 for Penny I and the big bag. Could not see out of the windows as they were covered in frost on the inside. It was bloody cold at midday around – 17C. Penny said my moustache and beard had ice formed on it. I had a French couple who had been staying at the hostel sitting behind me, they were travelling to NZ in a weeks time for a year stay and were asking me questions about NZ, happy to oblige.
The bus stopped in Listvyanka only 1 street leading in and out of this town, water from the Lake Baikal was splashing onto the side walk and road which had turned to ice and icicles hanging off railings. From the bus stop had a 35 meter walk across the road to our hotel can’t miss it looks a bit art deco. We are booked in here for 4 days, time to chill and spend Xmas here. Got checked in and dropped the big bag off in our room and went to explore. The sun was shining and this is one quaint little town. I would say it is busier in the summer time. Found assorted accommodation places, some small restaurants, a market selling local products and dried and smoked fish. Tried to find some milk for Penny and the shop keepers are not helpful and bloody rude, we asked the waitress where we had a meal and she directed us to a mini supermarket, we managed to get a smile out of her.
A young woman working at the Rolling Stones Hostel had mentioned to us that the people here are not polite to tourists get the feeling they don’t like you here. She has been living on Olkhon Island for 8 months and told us some interesting facts about living on the island and the Buryats the indigenous people of this region. I asked what people did on the island, tourism is the main earner they take people on the tours as they don’t speak English you don’t get any history of the places you see. They live for the day and end of the day they love to drink. I mentioned the potential to improve tourism there and she told me they are not interested and outsiders can’t set up tourism there, mafia like.
Reflecting today, we were staying at my brothers place in La Punta Mexico this time last year. Winter time there and in the low 30’s C a 50 C difference in temperature.
Maurice's Travel 