We head out toward Lake Baikal, to Olkhon Island. It is so peaceful. Unhurried and in tune with nature. Surrounded by the shimmering waters, framed by towering snow covered mountain peaks and covered by wide open tundra beside towering evergreens. It's feeling, its sense of earthy power, is unmistakable. And I'm not surprised at all to learn that has long been considered a center of shamanic energy. And a hub of shamanic activity. We spend three days there. I bicycle around, in addition to the four wheel drive tours we take. I discover the old cemetery with it's lake of Orthodox crosses and less overtly religious symbols of the Soviet era. I wander the dirt tracks of the village of Khuzhir, finding the 'internet cafe' and a beautiful new Russian Orthodox Church. It sits high on a hill with a commanding view. And it is quite clearly a new construction, post Soviet era!
A small orthodoxe temple on OLKHON island has been painted with beautiful frescos. You can often enjoy the bells ringing either in the morning or in the evening before the sunset.
Church bell ringing video.
Visit Church website (in Russian) and forum (English part).
Also you can contact Sergey, he speaks English and French very well,
his contacts you will find on church website.
