Olkhon Island - Khuzir village

We had read that Olkhon Island was the best place to hang out around Lake Baikal. It really is a special place and without doubt our favorite place so far in Russia. Here are a collection of pics that tell the story of our last 5 days there. 

Nearby our hostel. Khuzir has developed, largely off the back of tourism, into a sprawling town of wooden houses in various states of disrepair. 

On our second day there we got driven up to the far north of the Island. Here is me posing with the ultimate Russian S.U.V. 

I lost Tenae for a while and went looking everywhere for her. 

Oh there you are! 

No seriously Tenae, I'm about to take the picture so when I say now, quickly show your face so every one will see that it is you....... Ah never mind! 

The ice was so increadibly clear. You kind of get the idea from looking at this picture.  

Our driver took great pleasure in pointing out the big cracks in the ice that he was driving over. We were cool, calm and collected at all times of course. Listening to the ice was an amazing experience. You could hear the occasional crack echoing in the ice and bouncing off the rocks. A truly exhilerating experience not to be forgotten. 

On our last day we managed to get hold of some telemark skis from the local school. Here is one of Tenae venturing into the unknown. The rocks you see below are considered by the local Shamans to be the most powerful place in Siberia.

Here is another picture of a typical Siberian house.