The Republic of Buryatia, part of Russia since the 1920s, is located in south-central Siberia, stretching from the eastern shores of Lake Baikal, south to Russia’s border with Mongolia. Its history dates back to the Stone and Bronze Ages and its indigenous people, the Buryats, are of Mongolian origin – possibly even descended from Genghis Khan.
There are reminders of the Russian influence everywhere. They have the biggest head of Lenin in the main square....they affectionately call it "the big head". It was built in 1970 for the centennial of Lenin's birth. I think it's about 7/8 metres.
That's me in front!
A T34 WW2 Russian Tank is in another park we passed by every day to the supermarket. Makes a good change to have a real thing on show rather than a bronze in heroic postures.
We had a mongolian dinner with Sergy and Ira, a couple that Ian stayed 3 weeks with last time he was there. They have a wee boy now and the following day we spent a very happy time with them visiting a very old Buddhist temple and driving off road to a spring that was supposed to have healing powers.
When we reached the datsan, we followed custom and walked around the complex in a clockwise direction. The complex itself consisted of small houses where the lamas live, as well as several temples. Along the path encircling the complex we passed several different types of prayer wheels and drums, a tree with prayer flags, large white stupa and a wishing stone.
Of course, I had to make a wish.
Ira instructed me to put my hand on the stone (which was at about shoulder height) and make a wish, then walk to a line on the ground a few meters away. At that point, I turned to face the stone, put my hand out in front of me, closed my eyes and walked back toward the stone. If I had touched the stone with my hand, my wish would come true. First go I was stopped by them all shouting and when I opened my eyes I had veered way off to the right. The second time I was more on track but not perfect. Ira said she had never been able to do it.
We went into the main Temple. We removed our hats and, again, walked clockwise around the temple. inside there was a rainbow of colours in the banners, drums, benches and rugs covering the interior of the temple. On the back wall were rows of gold Buddha statues in varying sizes and forms.
The snow was still thick on the ground. We had a very exciting off-road drive to the spring. At one point the car was ploughing sideways through the mud and bottomed out on a huge rock!
We had a traditional Mongolian lunch then we visited a park that had a small rescued animal zoo. Huge bears. Wolves, all manner of colored foxes, wild cats and the funniest camels who would do anything for pop corn!
Look at those lips! Ian nearly lost his hand!
This is my favourite photo....
The camel was such a sweety, his nose was so soft. He had us in stitches we were laughing so hard!
On the next post we travel by bus to Mongolia. It's an early morning start 7am....and ..12 hours later we arrive in Ulan Baatar.
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