After a good night's sleep, we set off to the port of Irkutsk to catch
the hydrofoil up the Angara River to Bol'shie Koty. It was an
exceptionally clear day, which allowed us to see both of the hilly,
forested shores of the river. We spent most of the 90-minute trip on the
deck of the ship, despite the near-Arctic winds that often almost blew
us off our feet. Finally we arrived at Bol'shie Koty. After dropping
off our luggage in our dorm rooms for the next couple of weeks, we had
lunch and toured the area as well as the town's very own museum.
Professor Zilov from Irkutsk State University taught us all about the
flora and the fauna in the area. Later, we saw a nerpa -- one of the
freshwater seals native to the lake which rarely venture into the south
basin of the lake! We then hiked up to the highest point in town, a more
difficult climb than many of us (wearing flip-flops and all...)
expected. But we all made it to the top and the view was stupendous and
more than worth it!
After a dip in the lake and a delicious dinner, we are writing up
today's adventures and discoveries in our field notebooks.
Calin & Katja
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