Red Corner: The Wonders of Lake Baikal in Wintertime

by Neil Woodburn on

It’s wintertime which means most people aren’t even remotely thinking about visiting one of my favorite places; Lake Baikal in Siberia.

While researching a trip I took a year ago, however, I learned that at least one tour company does not shut during the harsh Siberian winter. Baikal Explorer stays open and active, catering to the small band of die-hard, and perhaps sick-in-the-head travelers who are willing to brave the cold for fabulous Siberian adventure. No, this is not a plug for some travel agency that gave me a free trip (they didn’t), but rather a hats off to a company that embraces the traveler’s creed with passion and commitment despite a dearth of Siberian-bound, winter travelers.

Baikal Explorer offers dog sledding and snowmobiling, which isn’t too out-of-the-ordinary. But they also organize trips to Olkhon Island-not via traditional boat, but rather with Russian military jeeps that drive across the clear, frozen waters of the lake.

Most surprisingly, Baikal Explorer will take you winter scuba diving. After hacking a hole in the ice, they drop you down into the world’s cleanest lake for some amazing sights and mind-numbing water clarity. They promise air temperatures of -30 Celsius and water temperatures of 3.5 Celsius. It will also be the first time you won’t need a boat to reach such deep waters; you merely drive up and dig a hole.

Take a moment to check out the fantastic photos on the website. I’ve been only in the summer and it’s a truly beautiful place; the wintertime seems to offer equally as much beauty and adventure, but in a slightly more frozen form. Brrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Red Corner: Slovakia’s Snowman Spa Service

by Neil Woodburn on

Based merely on the word’s Greek roots, cryotherapy doesn’t sound like very much fun.

Perhaps you’ve heard of cryogenics, which shares the same Greek root, cryo, meaning “cold.” This is where they freeze the recent dead in liquid nitrogen with hopes of bringing them back to life one day. Well, cryotherapy is similar except they freeze the living with the intention of making them healthier.

Cryotherapy is based upon treatment developed in Eastern Europe during communism to heal injuries to their Olympic athletes. Today, a Czech entrepreneur in Slovakia runs a spa based upon the same principle.

Journalist Tom Chesshyre ventured to AquaCity, in the town of Poprad to give cold therapy a whirl. The concept is simple; bake in one of the spas numerous saunas or heat rooms and then jump into the “Snow Paradise” room where it is -60 Fahrenheit. According to the spa’s literature, the sudden change in temperature creates a “a beneficial effect of total blood circulation and a congestion of the epidermis by reducing pulse frequency.” Ouch!

The Scandinavians and Russians have been doing this for ages. Jumping out of their saunas and banyas and rolling around in the snow, they keep telling me, is great for the constitution. Well now, there is someone trying to make money off this potentially heart-stopping procedure. I’d hate to see their insurance premiums.

Red Corner: Baltic Spas

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m not sure how I got on the theme of bathhouses and saunas this week, but the fact is that such methods of relaxation have a long history in the former communist lands and today remain extraordinarily popular throughout this part of the world.

The sanatorium (more commonly referred to as a spa today) was a favorite during communist times. Unions and factories often sent their workers here on paid holidays to relax and reenergize. The sick and infirm also came to rid their bodies of everything from digestive problems to insomnia-thanks to the area’s abundant supply of mineral-rich, natural hot springs famed for their miraculous curative powers.

One of the more popular regions in which to spa are the Baltics. With a long and rich tradition of aristocratic sanatorium dating back to the 1800s, (Tchaikovsky regularly visited spas in Haapsalu, Estonia) the Baltics are an attractive draw for those seeking the miracle waters.

Check out the following article for a nice history of the Baltic spa tradition, as well as an extensive list of the more popular ones still operating today. Those of you who are doctors can chuckle over the long list of ailments which can supposedly be treated at the facilities.

Red Corner: Famous Budapest Baths to Allow Women

by Neil Woodburn on

To go where no man has gone before is not so much of a challenge. Far more difficult, is for a woman to go where no woman has gone before-but men go to regularly.

For the last 70 years, the famous 16th century Rudas Baths in Budapest have been an all-male domain. Women were simply not allowed to frolic in the saunas, pools, and steam rooms of this particular Turkish bath.

Budapest’s Turkish baths have a long and glorious history dating back to, yes you guessed it, the 16th and 17th century when the Turks ruled the city. The most historic baths reside in immaculate buildings awash in marble and tile. They have been the heart and soul of this city for many years and enjoyed by both sexes-except for the Rudas Baths.

But not any more. Enough was finally enough. Thanks to an internet campaign by the Hungarian equal rights website, www.tusarok.org, women have finally won the right to penetrate the all-male domain of Rudas. Not only do they share facilities for three days of the week, they actually have the entire baths to themselves for half-days on Tuesdays and Thursdays-no men allowed whatsoever!

Red Corner: Russian Banyas

by Neil Woodburn on

Somewhere in the last fifty years, the term “bathhouse” has taken on very negative connotations in America. It was therefore with much trepidation that I found myself venturing into a Russian banya, which a Russian friend described to me as something like a bathhouse, except naked men whip you with birch branches.

Okay…

No offense to American bathhouse patrons, but this just isn’t my thing.

Nonetheless, one cold evening in Siberia I found myself stepping into an outdoor wooden hut so dense with steam that I could hardly see what I was getting into. The bad news is that there were indeed naked men lurking nearby with birch branches in hand; the good news is that the banya turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in Russia. And no, it didn’t involve any waxed or shaven men named Sergey.

A traditional Russian banya is basically a steam bath that has been a Russian custom for centuries. It is believed to help circulate the blood and clean the body of impurities. Birch branches used as flogging instruments bring the blood to the surface of the skin to further enhance the experience. It is a truly cleansing and purifying experience.

As you might expect, public banyas can be an intimidating experience-especially if your Russian isn’t up to par. Thankfully, the Kiev Post has provided us with an informative article on banya etiquette and what to expect. They also list a few of the more popular ones located in Kiev. I’d take them up on their recommendations; you don’t want to accidentally walk into a more western-inspired banya. Hey! Why are those birch branches made of leather!