Ministry of Emergency Situations on the shore of Baikal
Ministry of Emergency Situations on the shore of Lake Baikal
Having woken up early, we went to the base of the Ministry of Emergencies for crossing Baikal. On two boats with 200-horsepower engines went to sea - as the locals call Baikal. The friendly emcee warrior immediately warned in harsh terms: a wave will rise - we will turn around. The wave on Baikal comes unexpectedly, the wind begins to blow from the mountains and is able to arrange a real storm. While we sailed, our rescuer told that while the local peasant has a boat and vodka, they will be provided with work. Every year, they either rescue those who fell under the ice (the lake freezes in January), then climbers (two French freeriders came, who had to dig out from under 9-meter snow). Earthquakes are also frequent - the area shakes almost daily. Harsh land.
The Holy Sea is unpredictable and treacherous
The Holy Sea is unpredictable and treacherous The Holy Sea is unpredictable and treacherous
An hour later, we safely landed on the opposite bank in the village of Tankhoi, where the Niva was waiting for us (the instructors overtook the cars in the evening), and set off into the depths of Buryatia. Unaccustomed to the pitching colleagues gladly changed the boat to a more familiar transport. Starting from the starting point - the Tankhoy railway station, there is practically no normal asphalt, but after ten kilometers a fresh canvas appears, large-scale work is going on everywhere, the road is being laid.
There are also such roads
There are such roads There are also such roads
I sit behind the wheel. Ahead is a difficult section - a pass through Ulan-Burgas, it's time to evaluate the car’s road habits. At low speeds, the Niva effectively copes with road irregularities, allowing passengers to take a nap on the road, although the noise of the transmission drowns out the rumble of tires and wind.
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The interior is assembled very well - there is no burr with burrs, no backlash details. The driver of the Chevrolet Niva feels quite comfortable: good visibility, well-readable instruments, even a far-mounted gear lever itself falls into the hand. The main disadvantage is ergonomics. Here the age of the model cannot be hidden - the scattering of identical-looking and touch buttons is confusing. For example, the control of the “dimensions” and the dipped beam is assigned to the buttons on the left, but the fog lights are switched on with the buttons on the right.
A scattering of buttons is initially discouraging
A scattering of buttons at first discouraged A scattering of buttons at first discouraged
The air conditioner is activated by a button away from the climate control unit. Mirror control is hidden in the cigarette lighter area, the seat heating is also switched on there, and the indication is visible only to the passenger. The second point is to the glove compartment. Despite the huge opening and depth, the usable volume is small, and even a liter bottle of water does not close the lid. Only small things and folders with papers can be put in it. There is no armrest, even in the maximum version. According to representatives of the plant, all these shortcomings can be eliminated, but the Chevrolet Niva will lose its main advantage - low price. The consumer is not ready to overpay for an additional 12-volt outlet (cigarette lighter only one), when every penny counts. As a result, you have to compromise, and if you want something more - welcome to the numerous tuning centers.
To date, the motor is frankly weak
By now, the motor is frankly weak By now, the motor is frankly weak
I don’t know if the Togliatti ateliers are boosting motors for the Niva, but no one questions that he needs additional power. When you go along a broken country road, you can put up with everything, but when you need to overtake a truck with a trailer, you have to figure out the distance to the oncoming one with a margin. The working range of the motor is from 2000 to 3000 revolutions, there is no point in twisting it higher. The old VAZ eight-valve (80 hp, 19 s to 100 km / h) hardly pulls the car at speeds above 60 km / h, but there is no alternative. “Previously, the Opel engine was available,” says Mikhail Smetanin, GM- chief engineer AvtoVAZ - but it is cost-effective to install it only with a sales volume of 70 thousand cars per year. In 2011, most likely, a record will be set - 65 thousand. Automatic transmission? We experimented with the variator, everything is in order, but in this case you will have to refuse the lowering.”
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An alternative is the old Niva (VAZ 4x4), which will soon be transferred from VAZ to the joint venture line, but it has many shortcomings. The Ulyanovsk Patriot also has them. All three Russian SUVs exist on the market for different consumers. And while demand is good, dealers are queuing up for those who want to buy a Chevy Niva. Jeffrey Glover, the head of GM-AVTOVAZ, has much to be proud of, the company's employees don’t mind it, the efficiency is high, but our readers' claim “What did you do yourself?” Is quite fair. Going out on the market, gradually introducing improvements, is one thing, and introducing a new model is a little different. The main intrigue is the price of Renault Duster. If the minimum equipment of the Romanian "Frenchman" will be available, this is an occasion to think. I am sure that Geoffrey understands this better than me and therefore is not in a hurry with loud statements. Here is a quote from last year’s interview: “In the current production process, we are actively working on a second car, but it will only appear when the market requires it.” So it remains to wait.
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Meanwhile, along the beautiful mountain river of the Selenga, we enter Ulan-Ude. We are met by the picturesque arch "Verkhneudinsk city". A remake, but having historical roots. At this place, before the Soviet regime came here, there was a wooden arch erected in honor of the visit of Tsarevich Nikolai. And the city of Verkhneudinsk itself was an outpost of the Cossacks when moving east.
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Tomorrow we go to the border with Mongolia. The drivers on the way grin when they hear that we have swung at Shanghai. However, there are no questions to the cars so far. By the way, we also do not have spare parts. No gas pumps, no generators. Representatives of the plant are firmly confident in the quality.
PS. You ask, where did the helicopter come from in the name, because we are driving on Niva? Look at the photo!
We overtake a helicopter
We overtake a helicopter! We overtake a helicopter!
Visit to Ivolginsky datsan
On the way to overnight, we visited the Ivolginsky datsan. The place, known not only as the center of Buddhism in Russia, but also as the territory where Lama Itigelov is located, is a Buryat Buddhist who went into a state of nirvana during meditation. After he fell into a trance, his body was placed in a sarcophagus and hidden for several decades. After some time, the sarcophagus was opened, and a whole body was revealed to the eye of eyewitnesses, not exposed to decay. After that, pilgrimages to the lama began with requests for healing and just for spiritual enlightenment.
Ivolginsky datsan
Ivolginsky datsan Ivolginsky datsan
Today, at the entrance to the datsan, visitors are greeted by barkers with Chinese souvenirs. We had a tour of the temple.
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We were met by a monk who, with a memorized tongue twister, led us around the neighborhood. Everyone’s program is about the same - the decoration of rooms and a description of Buddhist rituals, prayer drums that take away sins not only for people, but also for worms.
Ivolginsky datsan
Ivolginsky datsan Ivolginsky datsan
Restoration of the territory of the datsan began after 1945 with the permission of Stalin. Since then, local Buddhists have supported power in everything. Not without pride, our guide-lama mentioned the visit of the authorities, including D. Medvedev and VIPs such as A. Chubais. The latter was “received” by Lama Itigelov.
Ivolginsky datsan
Ivolginsky datsan Ivolginsky datsan
We, ordinary people, failed to get an appointment. Those who want to see a miracle can visit the temple for Buddhist holidays, when the llama is exhibited for all visitors. As if making excuses, the Buddhist said that the Mongolian president even presented Itigelov with an order. Like, such orders are awarded only to living people.
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