This was basically a lazy day after a nice breakfast. We walked round Baikal Plaza (a massive square in front of the hotel), noting a massive statue of Lenin’s head which is said to be the world’s biggest statue of a head. While the political scene in Russia is dominated by President Putin’s “United Russia” party, the Russian Communist Party controls some provinces including Buryatiya, and we passed its HQ in Baikal Plaza. We wandered round looking for a phone shop because Jennifer’s cable had bust but with no luck; there were lots of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Eventually the tourist information office directed us to the “Forum”, a massive mall with its fair share of phone shops.
Lenin’s head
Stalin is back in fashion in some regions
Communist Party HQ
A happy shopper in the Sputnik supermarket
British tea for sale
Medieval Buryat warrior
Advert for the “Tengis” restaurant where we ate last night. Chekhov came here in 1890
Another ad stating the Nikolai I came here in 1891 before he became tsar
Not sure what this building is for
Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2
Statue of Yenisei and Angara. The Shaman Stone in Lake Baikal is said to have been thrown by Baikal after Angara (who he was lusting after) ran off with Yenisei. He missed by about 2 miles.
The arch erected to mark the visit of Tsarevich Nikolai in 1891. An ancient Buryat building can be seen through it.
Other side of the arch