 Yakutsk is the capital city of the Sakha Republic located at the northeast of Russia. Its average winter temperature is -34 deg C which is why it is the coldest city in the world in proportion to the city size (this is cited from several sources). I know, rite!! I love it! LENA PILLARS AND RIVER (25th Jan 2017) In the package that I had opted, the day trip to Lena Pillars and River was one of the exclusive highlights in this exploration. My group mates with four other travelers were excited to venture to one of the landmarks inscribed in the UNESCO World's Heritage list. We crossed the frozen Lena River with two snowmobiles which transported about ten of us. I had tried snowmobiling on a frozen river at Bettles, Alaska but this was like another unique experience which is incomparable. By the way, I could not capture any pictures while we were on the snowmobile as my hands were frozen. Once we reached along the banks of the pillars, we gathered for lunch in a small shed where the security guards stay. Sharing the moments with individuals with similar goals was a nice new experience. After lunch, Fyodor, Liana; and my teammates, Nicola and Lee took the opportunity to climb up the Lena pillars. Based on their stories, they used a narrow stairs (without safety harness) to reach the peak. They reached safely. While waiting for them to be back, Seerene, Ari; my teammate Luigi, Tim and I hang out along the banks of the pillars on the frozen Lena River. Just chilling at the ice-filled shore enjoying the views and peacefully quiet surroundings. The enormous views of the natural rock formation of the pillars are great for photography. Ari, Luigi and I ventured to the middle of the frozen river and posed in one of the glassy pyramid formed by the river waves. Frankly, walking on a mushy snow is not my forte and I was, and still am so glad Luigi was there to help me out of it. I was literally out of breath trying to get back to shore. I even hit my knee on the glassy wave which ended up with a huge blueblack. Luigi has vast experiences mountaineering on peak of snowy mountains. It is like his hobby. So, I guess walking on a deep mushy snow river is nothing to him. Thank you again, Luigi!! Lena River is massive and magnificently white. The landscape was wildly unbelievable. Its freezing cold excites me and I believe that is one of the reasons all of us visit this part of the world. I remembered that we were more disappointed if temperature rises than falls. If you ever have the chance to be at Lena Pillar Nature Park, do capture as many photos as possible. I know that cold weather might deteriorate your energy in terms of being out in the open so for long and stay stable in capturing photos. But you see, this is the reasons why you are here. So,endure!! One of the best experiences I will never ever forget during this Lena Pillar's visit was meeting new individuals from different parts of the globe, such as from St. Petersburg, Yakutsk, London, and Oregon. The presence of these people might be uncomfortable if you are anti-social but since I am half of both, I really embrace those bonding of unexpected friendships. Making new friends during our journey to anywhere in the world always add value and meaning to our main purpose. It builds the sense of human relationship and we will understand countries through the eyes of others. Anyway, just do not forget to keep in touch after that at least through social media. (To the future us, reminder that Facebook was the medium of socializing since 2007). ∞TIPS∞ ∞ As most travel bloggers had advised, this is real not rumours. Make sure you have a lot of spare camera batteries with you since it will die off 80% faster than normal. The battery life in Yakutsk is not as bad as at Oymyakon which will be out in less than 15 minutes especially in the open environment like the Lena River. Spare a handful of it!! My Sony a5100’s battery could last so much longer than my Yi Action Camera. When I was filming the toilette documentary at Tamara’s house in Oymyakon, it lasted only for that shot about 1-2mins. ∞ OYMYAKON Blog [Read More] AFTER OYMYAKON TRIP (31st Jan to 1 Jan 2017) Currently, I have an additional day in Yakutsk after we returned from Oymyakon yesterday evening. I just recovered from diarrhea since I had taken yoghurt after dinner at Khandyga. Thank you to the other part of me who refused to listen to the another part of me (I am fine,guys). I took my biochemistry medicine so it was not that bad although it still did consumed my energy which I ended up missing the farewell dinner with the guys yesterday. Sorry guys! I will remember you all forever though. I managed to visit the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk awhile ago in which I lost my way the first time I walked by myself there. I ended up walking the opposite direction. The second time I tried, I decided to hire a cab instead with the help of Bravo B&B staff who was helpful enough to book the cab for one hour which cost only 550 rubles. When I initially lost my way to the university and the souvenir shop just now, I was lucky enough to meet Tim at Lenin Square. Tim was one of my team mates and he has basic knowledge in Russian language but I think he is already in the intermediate level. Without him, I guess I will lost my way further down the road in that freezing midday. In Yakutsk, only a handful of people know how to speak English probably only those in the tourism industry and young generations. He saved me and I owe him lunch in Singapore. Links to Photo album for Yakutsk and Lena Pillars: https://goo.gl/AJx6ZW and https://goo.gl/0VOK3G Credits:
Facts and Stories during travel-Sergey,Maxim Photos Collaborations - Luigi and Tim
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