We visited Lake Baikal on 29 May 2018. It was a clear day.
Lake Baikal, also called The Pearl of Siberia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This fresh water lake is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, having been in existence for more than 25 million years (Source: Wikipedia).
We made our way from Irkutsk city and drove 70km southeast towards the small village of Listvyanka.
On our way, we drove through the taiga forest.
At the entrance to Listvyanka, we stopped at the Monument to Alexander Vampilov, a famous Soviet playwright and prose writer. This is also the point where the waters of Lake Baikal drains into River Angara and flow westward to Irkutsk and beyond.
Here's the video of Lake Baikal taken from this point. The Lake is so massive that it almost looks like an ocean.As the video pans to the right, look closely and you might see a small white rock in the water. This is the Shaman rock. Legend has it that criminals were sent to spend the night on the Shaman rock to determine their guilt or innocence. If they survived the night, they were innocent. After the construction of the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Plant, the water level rose and now, only the tip of the Shaman rock can be seen.
Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world, containing 22-23% of the world's fresh surface water.
Clear and cool water and pebble stone beach. Little huts can be rented for RUB100/hr and just sit, eat smoked omul and drink vodka or beer.. all the while looking out at the serene lake.
We parked Our Sorento at the end of the road and walked around in search of freshly smoked Omul.
Lake Baikal is famous for its Omul fish, which is similar to trout.
Freshly smoked omul. The omul fish has been soaked in brine before being smoked for 10-15 mins.
Chit chatting with the seller as we wait for our Omul order to be smoked.
_________________________________________________
In Listvyanka village, there is a small market place with villagers selling a variety of souvenirs and fish.
In Listvyanka village, there is a small market place with villagers selling a variety of souvenirs and fish.
The stalls here sells a variety of fresh, hot or cold smoked and salted omul or graylings, caught from Lake Baikal.
No comments:
Post a Comment