terça-feira, 26 de janeiro de 2016

Ulan-Ude, Russia - Mixed cultures between Mongolia and Russia




We start our visit with in the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Buryatia. There we can see that the space is decorated with the Russian Revolution theme, the ceiling shows a historic ambient with many communist flags, and between them, one had the face of Staline.



The show starts with some Mongol way of singing, a very deep sound, almost like a prayer.



Then a group who absorb the Cossack culture played to us some melodic songs.



Later a team of dancers with Chinese influences, danced and made many shapes with their body's ending with the shape of a dragon.



Talking about Chinese influences, we visit a temple, the population here is manly Buddhist and we are near Mongolia, actually is our last stop before we leave Russia.



 


Special thanks to Lernidee Trains & Cruises



terça-feira, 19 de janeiro de 2016

Lake Baikal, Russia - The World's Deepest Lake





What a day that was reserved for us, seeing the World's Deepest Lake is something else!



Our train brought us to the margins of the lake, and slowly show us all the beauty of the region. Clear water from one side, forest from in the other.


The staff on the train let us get on the front of the train for pictures, it's a different experience from riding inside the train, you can see more things happening in front of you.


At the 110 km we stop, a small village awaits us, for a traditional  swim in the lake, with freezing temperatures around + 10 ºC. The more brave go for it! Me!? I just bath my fingers!




With a reinvigorate energy we enjoy a Russian Barbecue known as "Shashlik", and with different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 



Some Russian music is played as the sunset slowly ends, making this a lifetime moment to remember.



Later we can contemplate the old Trans-Siberian Train side by side with our Train.





Special thanks to Lernidee Trains & Cruises

terça-feira, 12 de janeiro de 2016

Taltsy Museum, Russia - A journey back in time




This open air Museum is a storage of history and culture from people of the Eastern Siberia.


Set in a wonderful landscape, this wooden Museum show us how the people lived, in a community with many different structures, like a school, a church, a tower, a cemetery and more.




The Museum has some farmer houses with people dressed with the typical clothes of the time. This interaction give the exposition a great contribute for our travel back in time. 




Special thanks to Lernidee Trains & Cruises

terça-feira, 5 de janeiro de 2016

Irkutsk, Russia - The Paris of Siberia


This city was established as a fort by Cossack fur-trading, then becoming a gold mining town, but had a great event known as the first Russian Revolt of December 1825.

 
They became known as "The Decemberists", who came from the Russian Elite. They had many problems with the Czars, and many of their leaders were even hanged. They find Irkutsk as they main centre, and they changed, at the same time, the cultural awareness of the region.



We had a private concert with showing the cultural ambient were The Decemberists shared, and we could also experience the luxury were they lived, with the clothes, furniture and even the only working vertical piano in the world.




The Church of the Epiphany with the outside fresco's are really rare and hold a great importance in Siberia.



Irkutsk is known for the wooden houses, and also for the windows, with many different worked ways. And what best way to end the day, that a visit to the countryside to see how the Irkutsk habitants do on their vacation.



Special thanks to Lernidee Trains & Cruises