By Richard Haviland , August 2001

We really had the best
holiday of our lives, mainly thanks to you. Usually I
feel a little bit of pleasure when I get home, but not
on this occasion. In fact, we were both so sad the
day we left Irkutsk that we could hardly talk to each
other. We felt we were leaving behind a place where,
in just two weeks, we had made so many friends. I
warn you: we will return!

We had a wonderful time in Shumak. As you told us, it
really is a very special place and we feel privileged
to have been there. I don't know if you have managed
to speak to the Sashas, but we climbed a peak on our
first day, and then walked down the river the next day
(getting very wet). You probably heard that we had a
big adventure getting out - I thought we were going to
miss our flights...

I should tell you that both the Sashas were excellent
companions. I don't know their surnames, but the one
who didn't speak English was a hero, especially when
we had to cross the rivers, and his knowledge of the
plants and the hills (and his guitar!) made him a joy
to be with. And the other Sasha was also great
company - his English isn't as good as yours or
Nadia's, but it's certainly good enough to be able to
do these tours again in the future.

We also managed to achieve the unusual feat of going
to a nightclub in Irkutsk and then another nightclub
in London, both on the same date of August 4th. It
helps when you have a 32-hour day!