The 22 hour train journey from Yekaterinburg to Novosibirsk passed without incident. Fionnuala read quite a lot, and I slept much of the afternoon and night away. When we woke up on Tuesday morning, the passing scenery was covered in snow; something we’re pleased to see in Siberia. Once the train had pulled into the station, we checked into our hotel and, after showering, ate lunch in the cafe next door.
Tuesday afternoon’s first activity was to supplement our wardrobe with scarves, so we headed to the SEC Gallery shopping centre, where I also supplemented my lunch with a McDonald’s. on the way there, we had a walk around the city, passing the Chapel of St Nicholas and Lenin Square.
Today, we visited the State Art Museum. Unlike in cities filled with tourists, it was possible to take in the paintings and sculptures, without thousands of selfie-enthusiasts interfering. The highlight was definitely the Himalaya mountainscapes by Nikolai Rerikh. After leaving the museum, we walked to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, but sadly it was closed.
We’re spending this evening waiting for the 23:39 train to Irkutsk.
G.
Travel in Trainers 