On Day 44 we embarked onboard the Trans-Siberian railway, a 78 hour journey through the mountains and forests of Siberia.
The train itself was a massive highlight of the trip and definitely an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend it, although perhaps not for those of you who who are creatures of comfort!
The cabins are very basic, measuring about two metres by two metres and comprising of four bunk beds, storage above and below and a fold up table in between, leaving not much room for anything else - including us! A reading light above each bed is the only luxury and with the air conditioning options being 'window open' or 'window closed', I had to ensure everything on my top bunk was tied down so as not to lose it out the window into Siberian wilderness!
Each carriage has a toilet at each end but they aren't the most sanitary of facilities and we learnt quickly to wear shoes and bring our own toilet paper. They also close the toilets half an hour before and after as well as during the stops in each city since the toilets flush directly onto the tracks - high tech Russian technology right there!
There is also a single hot water boiler for each carriage, and this is the one and only source of food preparation equipment. So before embarking on the journey we stocked up on copious packets of instant noodles, instant porridge and other essential long life foods and snacks, such as Kit Kats and Pringles!
Each carriage has a toilet at each end but they aren't the most sanitary of facilities and we learnt quickly to wear shoes and bring our own toilet paper. They also close the toilets half an hour before and after as well as during the stops in each city since the toilets flush directly onto the tracks - high tech Russian technology right there!
There is also a single hot water boiler for each carriage, and this is the one and only source of food preparation equipment. So before embarking on the journey we stocked up on copious packets of instant noodles, instant porridge and other essential long life foods and snacks, such as Kit Kats and Pringles!
Life on the train was fairly laid back, almost like mandatory rest days to recuperate before the journey resumed. We were bunking with a couple from the UK around the same age as us, Sophie and Sarah. The four of us clicked straight away and it was great getting to know them.We spent our days lounging around, chatting, playing cards, eating and reading. After the second day, I hardly got out of my pyjamas, even when we hopped off to stretch our legs at platforms.
I worked out a pretty good routine of commandeering one of the carriage toilets each morning and evening for my extravagant OCD washing regime that involved copious amounts of baby wipes, seriously, we went through about 200 of those things in five days! Every item of clothing was hung on the hook and getting changed involved a blancing act to avoid clothing coming into contact with the floor - this is pretty tough too with the train ricketing around unexpected corners every few minutes. Luckily I only had to sacrifice one pair of underwear - after they accidentally fell off the hook and touched that floor they were most definately not going anywhere near my backpack again!
As can be imagined, the cramped quarters, high temperatures and lack of wash facilities and air conditioning leads to a rather pungent atmosphere and somewaht shortened tempers, so when the train stopped a couple of times each day, anywhere from two to twenty minutes, we all spilled onto the platforms for some fresh air and space to stretch our legs! I'm not ashamed to admit that on occasion 'cabin fever' took over and there were piggy back races up and down the platforms as we revelled in our brief freedom!
The locals flock in with carts of home made breads, patries, fresh fruits and more, we learnt quickly to follow our tour guide around as he always knew the best bits and pieces to eat! We had to keep a close eye on the train though and make sure not wander too far as it often leaves off schedule and without much warning!
I worked out a pretty good routine of commandeering one of the carriage toilets each morning and evening for my extravagant OCD washing regime that involved copious amounts of baby wipes, seriously, we went through about 200 of those things in five days! Every item of clothing was hung on the hook and getting changed involved a blancing act to avoid clothing coming into contact with the floor - this is pretty tough too with the train ricketing around unexpected corners every few minutes. Luckily I only had to sacrifice one pair of underwear - after they accidentally fell off the hook and touched that floor they were most definately not going anywhere near my backpack again!
As can be imagined, the cramped quarters, high temperatures and lack of wash facilities and air conditioning leads to a rather pungent atmosphere and somewaht shortened tempers, so when the train stopped a couple of times each day, anywhere from two to twenty minutes, we all spilled onto the platforms for some fresh air and space to stretch our legs! I'm not ashamed to admit that on occasion 'cabin fever' took over and there were piggy back races up and down the platforms as we revelled in our brief freedom!
The locals flock in with carts of home made breads, patries, fresh fruits and more, we learnt quickly to follow our tour guide around as he always knew the best bits and pieces to eat! We had to keep a close eye on the train though and make sure not wander too far as it often leaves off schedule and without much warning!
Our tour group took up the majority of a full train carriage so our evenings involved hall parties, multi cabin card games and drinking... LOTS of drinking. In Russia, the traditional chaser for a vodka shot is pickles and raw pigs fat, yep you read it right, a big white rubbery hunk of raw pig fat! Now I'll try anything once... but needless to say, it was definitely ONLY once for that!
On the afternoon of Day 47, we arrived in Irkutsk, the last major city in Russia, before the border into Mongolia. We piled ourselves and our luggage into a bus for a twenty minute drive out to Lake Baikal. First priority on arrival - a well needed shower!
On the afternoon of Day 47, we arrived in Irkutsk, the last major city in Russia, before the border into Mongolia. We piled ourselves and our luggage into a bus for a twenty minute drive out to Lake Baikal. First priority on arrival - a well needed shower!
