Day 42: Team XPD Beyond Asia sightsee on 'Rest Day'

Covering a distance of 162 km from Irkutsk to Listvyanka and back to Irkutsk, the team enjoyed the pretty drive to Listvyanka, a tiny fishermen village about 69 km from Irkutsk. The team left the hotel by 9.30 am and did not have much to do in the village since it was off-season now. 

Lake Baikal too has more to offer in summer and winter. 

The team had lunch at a lovely place called 'Mamai' in the 130 Kvartal area. 

"It is the first time we have gone to a nice place for a meal," says Meenakshi. "130 Kvartal was a very charming place lined with boutiques, shops, cafes, bars and souvenir shops, all housed in traditional Irkutsk wooden houses. Some of the wooden buildings have been transported from other locations throughout the country and others were constructed to blend in with the original structures in the area. Luckily, the weather had cleared up, and with the sun out, the team was able to walk around and chill a bit," adds Meenakshi. 

The team had their next stop at the gigantic Kazansky Church which is a theme-park-esque confection of salmon-pink walls and fluoro turquoise domes topped with gold bauble crosses resembling a fairy tower. It is known for the Irkutsk's most significant church bell.

After spending some time in the church, the team had both their cars washed ahead of the longest drive tomorrow to cover almost 1100 km.