The simple Russian banya (sauna) was a perfect escape from the extravagance of Moscow. In the tranquil location by the lake we indulged in a beautiful BBQ lunch, with a little too much vodka! Unwinding in our banya, we feigned years of experience whilst beating (they call it massaging!) each other with the dried birch branches. It recharged the batteries and left us bright-eyed heading to amazing St Petersburg.
My ‘birch-branch-beating’ techniques still need some work … which sounds like a good excuse to go back soon!
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By Tim Flatley
About Tim Flatley
Voted On The Go's 'Least Likely Staff Member to write a Blog' 3 years running (2008-2010). Tim has finally decided to prove the doubters wrong and put some of his thoughts to the online community.
Hailing from the beautiful Far North Coast of NSW, Australia, Tim joined the OTG Brisbane team in May 2008, before taking a well worn antipodean path towards London in January 2009.
Whilst his blog is still in its early stages, New Scientist magazine has described it as 'the most exciting thing to happen to mankind since the invention of Rocket powered Roller skates'. BBC's Good Food guide, however, has described it as 'lacking taste'.
You can make up your own mind...
The simple Russian banya (sauna) was a perfect escape from the extravagance of Moscow. In the tranquil location by the lake we indulged in a beautiful BBQ lunch, with a little too much vodka! Unwinding in our banya, we feigned years of experience whilst beating (they call it massaging!) each other with the dried birch branches. It recharged the batteries and left us bright-eyed heading to amazing St Petersburg.
