Trans Siberian Journey

14.06.2014
After over 7hrs fab night train journey from St Petersburg here I am in Moscow !
Love those white nights in Russia, you can wonder around midnight thinking it's afternoon only ;))

15.06.2014
My Trans Siberian trip covers 3 countries: Russia, Mongolia, China [Moscow-Beijing is 7,622 km / 4,735 miles] ! It's a journey through several time zones that will give me possibility to experience major geographical and cultural parts of Eurasia!
For those following my journey, it's time for the first part of it, high quality 'Rossiya' train from Moscow to Irkutsk! It's 5150km / 3200miles journey that takes 74hrs = 4 days / 3 nights !!!!
Stop at Irkutsk, the oldest city in Siberia, will give me a break from long train ride and, what's most important give me the taste of Siberia! It will let me have a chance to experience clean waters and mountains of Lake Baikal & Siberia's countryside staying at Listvyanka village or Olkhon Island!
Let the journey begin ... @ 13:50 Moscow Time!

18.06.2014
Moscow - Irkutsk journey has been like a time travel. Going through a few time zones in such a short period of time makes your sleep so messed up! Taking it easy and sleep when you feel like is the way to survive it!!!
Siberia's summer is so beautiful. Spacious land with some wooden villages, green trees, lavender flowers, blue sky - who would believe this part of Russia known as land of heavy snows can be so lively this time of the year.
Just for your knowledge, the principal goal of Trans Siberian Railway, the world's longest railroad, was to facilitate the resettlement of Russian peasants to Siberia, save the land & make it useful, as it was at risk of being lost. Being here I can tell the goal has been achieved!

20.06.2014
My recent journey stop was in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia known as the 'Paris of Siberia'. It is 353 years old city where wooden, some dilapidated and some still in use cottages with beautifully stylished big windows are catching visitors eyes! Those wooden houses mixed with brick and stone buildings give the city it's unique character.
Irkutsk is a number one destination for those who want to see Lake Baikal. Once you are here it's a must to try smoked fish that comes from it's clear waters.
Halfway up the Lake Baikal is 72km long beautiful, meditative Olkhon Island - best spot for taking breath away views of the lake, great land treks and relaxing beaches! Getting there by mini bus & ferry takes over 6 hrs, but worth the drive as the scenery around is stunning! Most tourists stay in such a lovely & peaceful village with dusty roads called Khuzhir! Cows walking the main street do not surprise local people, tourists tho definitely! It's like being transferred to the past, although all you need for basic life is here! One church, post office, visitors center and internet cafe, couple of restaurants and cafes, shops, disco-bar and 'discoteka', few well organized home stays! You love it or hate it! I loved it !!!
Walk distance from the village you find a Shaman Rocks - few stones and poles wrapped in blue material where locals come to pray and leave token offerings. People here believe that spirits or spiritual qualities are present in objects of the natural world (Aminism).
People are very friendly, always helpful, never avoid conversation with foreigners who know or understand, like I do (and it's improving) basic Russian!

20.06.2014
Time for next part of my journey, the Trans Mongolian route: Irkutsk - Ulan Bator, the distance of 1100km / 695 miles that takes about 32hrs. Saying 'Paka-Paka' (Bye Bye) to Russia, the beauty of its land, friendly and generous in their hospitality people, time has come for new experience, a country with different culture, people & language... Mongolia - it's fabulous landscapes, wildlife & wild horses!!!
Start @ 22:05 Irkutsk Time !

21.06.2014
Traveling Trans - Mongolian gives you nicer views over Siberia, although passing by the Lake Baikal after midnight you are loosing the chance to marvel at it for the last time! Unfortunately none has been thinking of the idea to depart the train 3 hours earlier.
Till Russian border Naushki you can enjoy green valleys, mountains and idyllic villages!
Mongolian carriages aren't so comfortable like those Russians... Second class gives you 4 beds compartment - it's difficult to organized all the belongings at the beginning, but once you manage it you will feel like you are at home, sharing your life stories during bread, pate and cheese meals with your compartment mates!
Crossing Russian border takes over 5 hours! Honestly!!! Train stops for about 4 hours and you can hang around the village! Not much there to do part of that easy to climb hill from where the view over the cottages is beautiful. Local park with one statue of some unrecognizable animal looks like after party place. You are bored to death and the passport control begins. Not only once your passport and the compartments are checked. Finally, after all you are getting your passport back and train leaves for the Mongolian border! Over here similar story although all takes less time! Being stuck for 2.5 hours this time is not easy either as it's boiling hot on the train and toilets are closed! That wasn't awesome part of the trip for all of us, but ... considering it as an adventure, what's the most important we are in MONGOLIA!!!
Watching the sunset after all brings the excitement of being on this journey again! How fabulous country I am in now! How amazing it is to travel on the train and marvel at this new to my eyes country, Mongolia! Priceless!!! And that's only beginning of the adventure.

28.06.2014
I have just came back from incredible journey to Gobi Desert that took 6 days / 5 nights...
It's impossible to describe how amazing and changeable Mongolian land is... Asking me what have I seen, using one word I would say "nothing" !!! You can drive miles seeing no single human beings, no ger camps, no animals, only miles of green land ! Isn't it incredible and fascinating ??? It is ... BUT !!!
Do not take me saying "nothing" seriously ! Obviously there are parts of Mongolia where still Nomad people live their simple but in the same time hard in my eyes life looking after their animals; goats, camels, sheep, horses, cows... How do they do it, I am questioning myself??
There are beautiful places to see, like White Stupa, Flaming Cliffs, National Park, canyons, and the most famous Gobi Desert! Here you have a chance to challenge yourself climbing 300 meters sand dunes! Even if you think it's impossible, do not give up - view over the other side of dunes is fabulous, it's where the desert begins... Camel ride is great fun too, you only end up having carpet burnt bum after that you feel for a couple of days !!! Still worth it ... And for those who love horses - it's a place to be, it's a place to visit !!! Having ride them and / or seeing horse race that takes place in the middle of some green land - unique experience !!! Nearly awesome and so brave was to drive Russian van with my mates on the board for better fun - as not included in the tour might be possible only if your driver allows.
Only tent camping I would not recommend as the weather is so unpredictable - although after such an unpleasant one night experience there is something to laugh about. Ah, memories !!!
It's my last night in Mongolia, in the biggest city Ulaanbaatar, where nearly 50 % population of this country lives - crazy busy city as you can imagine! I personally love those empty and peaceful lands outside the city, without wi-fi, mobile phone reception, computers... - where peoples company is still loved and valued! And I have had fab people around me - Thank You All (you know who you are) !!!

28.06.2014
Last part of the Trans Siberian journey has come. The route from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing that takes 30 hours = 2 days / 1 night ! Only 1350km / 850 miles of railway road this time... What kind of adventure China is going to bring??? That will be short stay for 3 nights only with the goal to see the Great Wall, otherwise no big plans...
Train is departing @ 7:15 am Ulaanbaatar Time!

4.07.2014
The melody of evening rain, smell of coconut oil, his warm and gentle hands piece by piece massaging my body! Can there be something better than mix of Swedish & Thai massage after so many days of traveling ?! Heaven !!!
I Love Boracay !

10.07.2014
My Trans Siberian + Philippines journey, one of the biggest one from all I have done so far, is over! I'm back home. Only memories left... Although saying it I'm actually wrong!! Not only memories left, there is new friendships as well!!!
I have met great people on the way from Russia to Philippines! What's amazing about people you meet on your travels and/or in life in general is that everyone has a story. One story deeply touched my heart... It's a sad story and now on often comes back to me! But, every time it comes to my mind, it's a prayer... Maybe I am the Angel of your trip J. this time?!
Many times I have been joking that my life is a one big holiday... Actually, thinking of it, it is not a joke! My life, the same like yours IS a JOURNEY! Yes - full of ups and downs, even mine - believe me!!! But, it is only one way journey! People forget about it often! Time travels, there is no way back... Enjoy then!!! Make most of it!!! Never regret!!! Love!!! Smile!!!
[...soak in a bath with pleasure, like I'm doing it now...]
Hmmmm, sounds like I have had too much time on the trains, vans & airplanes to think???!!! Indeed... And I realized, there is one thing I deeply wish to myself and pray for... (Not next trip - that would be too easy).
Thank you everyone for fantastic time, great fun and safe travel, again!!!


...by Sylwia Gac
................................................... 12.06.2014 -10.07.2014 ..........................................