Todd Todd saw things this way:
Overall
4
The most amazing wooden church in the middle of a lake, September 12, 2010
Reviewer: Todd Todd
Pros: A fairytale church on a museum island
Cons: Poisonous snakes in the grass and rock walls
Everyone on the river tours stops here. The church is truly a sight to remember. There is also a collection of typical Russian, or typical to this region, houses and domestic structures. Everyone arrives on a ship with a guide and although you can wander freely everyone seems to stay with the guides. You can't go inside the church because it is in danger of collapsing but you can go inside all the other structures. If you do wander around be extremely careful of the poisonous snakes, especially in the rock walls. The shops near the piers don't offer anything special, but the ice cream can be tasty!
kriskessler saw things this way:
Overall
4
Wonderful to see the ancient wooden churches on this remote island., August 14, 2010
Reviewer: kriskessler
Pros: The beauty of the setting and the feeling of being on the edge of civilization.
Cons: There was talk of snakes and mosquitoes, but we never saw any.
It was interesting to see the types of houses that people live in here - with big shelves hung from the ceiling that delineate how far into the room a traveler may enter. Beds are placed near the warm stove that heats the house and the baby bed is in the kitchen with the mother. The work shed is attached to the house so the heat can be shared. Winters here are isolated with the lakes and rivers freezing. The guides are very knowledgeable and speak English well.
