Expert: Aaltje van Zoelen - 12/1/2007

Question
Do you think Lake Baykal is worth paying a visit to?
I'm thinking of going there, but I'm not sure whether it's as pretty as the pictures show it is??

Answer
Lake Baikal can be as beautiful as it is shown in picture books.  But the beauty of the lake can be disturbed by various circumstances.  For example, the weather can be rainy,windy, etc. and this certainly affects any activity you would like to participate in or around the lake.  Also the infrastructure surrounding the lake is still somewhat decrepit as seen by western eyes.  There are some properties surrounding the lake now, that offer excellent accommodations.  Not necessarily western style, but confortable in their own way. There are also various comfortable ships that ply the water.  

Going there you have to have the attitude that whatever you see is fine. You need to be non-judgmental.  You need to look at the flowers, rather then the construction materials used to pave the road.  Enjoy the people, rather then the places within they live.  Be open to the hospitality which will be shown to you.  If you do that your stay at Lake Baikal will be stupendous