Ski Trekking in Siberia

Today the four of us went skiing with Sasha, our instructor. We weaved our way through the dense forest that coats the hills surrounding the lake for almost four hours. This was my first time skiing and really enjoyed it even though I was expecting more of a downhill experience. We stopped for lunch before turning around and heading back. Sasha set the fire going so that we could have hot water to make cups of tea and instant mash in the middle of the forest. We all sat around the fire and listened to each others stories which was lots of fun. The views as we ski-trekked back to the bottom of the hill where amazing. I had to keep stopping just to take it all in. I only fell down once which I considered quite an achievement.

It was obvious that Summer was just around the corner as the sound of snow and ice from the roof tops could be heard dripping into barrels everywhere as it melted under the sun. We met a group children who were playing in the street and introduced ourselves. Ali started a snowball fight with them and soon started to regret it.

We walked on the lake which was a surreal experience. We could literally see for miles across the seemingly endless lake which was covered in snow. We walked along the lake until we reached a small market which sold locally made souvenirs and lots of freshly smoked fish. There must have been at least 30 people each selling fish that was smoking away in small wooden boxes.

The main street that follows the lake is dotted with small wooden houses, each with slightly different ornate carving around the windows called "Siberian Lace" and painted in the most exquisite colours.

After dinner we went to the bar down the street for a drink and I somehow managed to beat Ali at Backgammon with a whopping great score of 42 - 31. Getting back home late at night was a challenge considering there was no street lighting to help guide us back along the street to the village.