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.

Transiberian railway journey.

When we arrived into Moscow, we joined our tour group and for the next 17days we will be touring Russia by doing the Transiberian rail journey. In this time, over 17days, we will have multiple stops and overnight stays in different parts of Russia.

Our journey begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok, we will cover 9,288kms and cross 7 time zones.

Our first 290kms was covered by coach to Suzdal, where we spent the day and night.

Charming park with wood carvings in Suzdal

Charming houses, all wooden, some of these are B&B

Suzdal has a population of 9,000 and is only 9 sq metres and has over 1,000,000 visitors a year.

The town has 30 churches, 3 Cathederals and 9 monasteries.

Eternal flame from Victory day.

View over Suzdal

We visited the wooden village, which is a museum, this is the summer church.

Winter church

Inside.

There are quilters out there somewhere.

Great photo, we walked across this lake to visit the Kremlin in Suzdal.

Original golden doors, from the 13th century 

Inside

Part of our group, 11 in total.

Our hotel

Great wood carvings

And yes I found fabric.

My purchase.

The group had a great afternoon bonding, tomorrow we depart for Vladimir.

Do a city tour, spend the day, then get on the train.

Next post will be Vladimir.