Extreme Russia

Want To Do Something More Adventurous in Russia?

Today Russia is open to everyone, it has so much to offer whether you are interested in taking an historical trip around its imperial past or if you want to do something a little more adventurous. So what kind of Russia adventure travel can a person expect to be able to do when visiting this country? We will look at a just a couple of more adventurous types of traveling you could think of doing in Russia.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than a decade ago now more and more foreigners are traveling through it, but it can still be a difficult place if you are unable to speak the language. However, wherever you go in Russia you will find that the people are incredibly warm and inviting hosts. Certainly if you are looking for some where that takes you away from the normal holiday routes then you should consider some of the following when looking for a more adventurous traveling experience in Russia.

Trans Siberian Railway

During this journey which takes you from Vladivostok Moscow to the wilds of Khabarovsk in the heart of Mongolia and on to Lake Baikal and the snowcapped mountains of the Urals. This journey is a total of 6,135 miles in distance and during it you will pass through 8 different time zones. The trains are very comfortable, but it is the beauty of the country as you pass through the various areas that really gets an adventurers juices flowing.

However if you think this a bit staid for a adventurous journey in Russia you could try the following instead.

Journey to the North Pole

With this type of Russia adventure travel you are given a chance to add your name to the very small list of people who have already made this epic journey in the past. This is certainly the more challenging of any types of adventure travel that you may find, but it will be worth it when you reach the top of the world. When traveling through the Arctic you will notice that everything seems bigger, the icebergs are massive and the horizon just seems to go on forever. Certainly many people have found this particular Russia Adventure Travel to be a very humbling experience and has put life in to perspective for them.

So as you can see Russia has so much more to offer the adventurous traveler than just visiting the many historical cities that until 10 years ago were only ever seen on television.

Stephen Chua is a nature lover and the owner of TrekkingAdventureTravel.net, which provides tips and information on trekking and adventure travel.

Ice Fishing in Russia

If you are in Russia during the winter months, you had better be ready for the cold. Even if it is freezing outside, it doesn’t mean you can’t get out and go after a few fish. Living in Russia for a year was an amazing time. It was also a time of discovery on a scale you can’t imagine. As with many cultures, there were vastly different aspects and slight different ones that made it all well worth the time. I enjoy getting out to the lake for a bit of fishing and so do the Russians. This is true even if it is winter.

If it is winter in Russia, we have to be talking about ice fishing. If the Russian winter stopped Hitler in his tracks, you know it is going to be an interesting time out on the lake. Fortunately, the Russians have developed a way of staying warm while sitting on the ice after years and years of study and development.

What is the magic? You guessed it – Vodka! There is saying in Russia when it comes to drinking vodka – warm on the inside and cold on the outside. Vodka is offered up as more or less radiator fluid for your body. I have to admit it works very, very well.

Once you head out to the lake, it is a pretty simple process. Find an area that looks less thick and break out a long, stiff saw. You then start trying to saw, pound and hack a hole in the ice. Yelling helps and is generally encouraged. Vodka is as well. Once the hole is opened, it is time to find some small stools, bait your line and have a seat. Down goes the line and up goes the vodka. Frankly, the fish are pretty safe.

When ice fishing in Russia, the prospect of catching something depends on a number of factors. First and foremost, the type of fish is entirely dependant on the lake you are on. The second issue, however, is more important. How long can you stand to sit there? It is cold like you can’t imagine. At 30 degrees below zero, even vodka is not going to keep you warm for long. You can dress with so many layers that you look like the Michelin Man and it still is not going to be a long session.

Do I recommend going ice fishing in Russia? Sure. Once and only once! Then you can say you did it while you are hunting for some aspirin.

Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of a fishing log book to record your fishing exploits.

Article Source: EzineArticles

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