Final leg, Vladivostok and the end of transport-Siberian rail journey.

Success and another tick of the bucket list, yes we travelled 9,288 kms, Moscow to Vladivostok on the trans-Siberian rail network. What a wonderful adventure we all had and a lifetime of memories shared, traversing Russia from west to east.

Our group of 11 and our amazing CEO, Oyla from G Adeventues were awesome and great travelling companions. 

We are from all over the globe, Irish, Scottish, English, Canadians, USA and of course us Aussies with our Russian leader, all worked in cohesion with each other, to complete this epic journey.

A big clap to all of us.

Whilst on the train we celebrated Oyla's birthday, we all made a train cake for her, we all had fun with a Russian Quiz and mafia game.

We arrived in Vladivostok to a wet and miserable day.

The mile marker, 9,288kms from Moscow to Vladivostok.

We did it.

Train on platform.

After we all had well deserved showers, we went on a city tour of Vladivostok, Russia's largest port city  in the Pacific Ocean. Population is 600,000 and the name Vladivostok loosely translates as"Overlord of the east".

Lenins statue

We walked along the waterfront in the rain.

Old naval ships.

Submarine tours anyone!

An arch near the WW2 memorial 

WW2 memoriam 

All along the waterfront.

The soviet symbol, anvil and sickle.

We had a day and evening in Vladivostok, not really a tourist town, for our last night together we all went to dinner and said our goodbyes. 

Words of wisdom, shared, I loved Russia and saw the good and the bad, St Petersburg and Moscow were great cities to visit, but you need to get into the heart of Russia and Siberia to really get an idea of how remote life can be, before and after soviet times.

 We had the best time and felt that Russia loves visitors and were very welcoming.

An awesome adventure and will be one to treasure.

Tomorrow we fly to Seoul, to spend 6 days exploring, then head home.

Ulan-Ude, second last stop before our journey ends.

Being 8 hours on our train overnight we arrived into Ulan-Ude, home of the Buryat people.

The name Ulan-Ude was given in 1934 and means "red uda" or "red gate" in Buryat.

The city is famous for its large and highly unusual statue of the head of Lenin in the central square.

We have travelled 5,641kms of our trans-Siberian journey.

We will spend two days in Ulan-Ude.

Ulan-Ude train station.

Lenin's head, built in 1970 and weighs 42tons, 7.7metres.

Triumphant arch in Ulan-Ude.

Again great art throughput the streets.

A famous literatures.

In pedestrian street.

Tried to get arty with Lenins head.

After we all had showers we went on an excursion to the Ivolginsky temple and old believers village, on the way we got a flat tyre.

Plenty of helpers.

A yurt.

The village gate.

You roll these as you pass and have happy thoughts.

One of the temples, this complex has many, also a university.

The university is the modern building.

Inside the temples.

Monks chanting.

Prayer flags.

This monk's body was exhumed and still looked alive so it is on display, he died almost 100years ago.

The dead monk.

After our tour we had a typical Buryat lunch in a yurt.

Dumplings were amazing.

Shortbread cookies, Buryat style.

Time to pack up and board our train again.

Getting ready for our three days and three nights to Vladivostok, where we will officially end our trans-Siberian adventure.

A day in Irkutsk

We departed from Lake Baikal, after breakfast to drive to Irkutsk. On the way we visited the Volinski mansion. This is the mansion that  Tsar Nicholas I built when he was exiled to Siberia.

In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers and nobles were sent into exile to Siberia for their part in the Decembrist revolt against Tsar Nicholas I. 

Irkutsk became the major centre of intellectual and social life for these exiles, and much of the city cultural heritage comes from them. 

Many of the wooden houses, are adorned with ornate, hand carved decorations and survive today in stark contrast with the standard soviet appartment blocks surrounding them.

 We booked into hotel to store our bags and then did the city tour with some free time. We were all to meet for dinner and celebrate Zoe's 26th birthday in the evening before we board our train for an overnight trip to Ulan-Ude.

Volinksy mansion.

Volinksy mansion.

Furniture for sewing and intricate bead embroidery 

Bead embroidery

More stunning bead embroidery

Such intricate bead work, oh to possess this work.

Fashion of the times

Wonderful sewing tables, I just drooled!!!

Bear rug

 

Eternal flame, memorial to WW2

Peter and Paul church.

Inside

Inside

Peter and Paul

Walk along the Unger River

Founder of the city.

More gorgeous painted ceilings.

Statues in the people's park in the pedestrian street.

More statues, opposite each other.

Great architecture.

Native Buriyat people, a mix of Native American and South American, great music.

Local people's market.

Delicious deli goods.

Arch

Yes it did rain, this is the area we will have dinner.

Great mosiac works on side of building.

What a great use of old tapes

I had brawn for dinner, missed the vinegar, it is served with horseradish and a very hot mustard in Siberia.

Happy 26th birthday Zoe.

Babe is an ancient local name for tiger. In 1686, Irkutsk received the status of city and at the same time it was honoured with a coat of arms and stamp. The Babar was depicted with a sable in his mouth.

We are officially in the heart of Siberia, in the evening after dinner we board our train for an overnight ride to Ulan-Ude.

More from Ulan-due, the home of the Buriyat people.