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Sunday 23 Aug 2009 06:19

Ulaanbaatar!

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

We made it and are now in Ulaanbaatar! Following on from the last blog, we arrived at the Mongolian border too late (it closes) and so drove out of town to find a camping spot. We found a place with great views over the hills, although the ground later turned out to be very bumpy. We also heard gunshots during the night, which was a little off-putting. There was an army base about 20km away so we're hoping that it was from that rather than someone taking pot shots at our tents! read more »

Thursday 20 Aug 2009 04:33

Ulan-Ude, Russia: Just spent...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Just spent night in Ulan Ude. We would have liked to have stopped longer as it seemed an interesting place. We have decided to cross to Mongolia today with 2 days left on RUS visa, in case of any problems. This may be the end of phone reception - we just dont know! Will email when make it to UB.

Tuesday 18 Aug 2009 03:48

Irkutsk, Russia: Heading towards...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Heading towards Irkutsk and had to sleep in van. Rained heavily all night and got stuck in a foot of mud trying to get back to the road! We dismantled a road sign to put under tyres and got half way, then flagged down a lorry to tow us the rest. We're now literally covered in mud and mosquito bites

Saturday 15 Aug 2009 13:03

Tomsk, Russia: Had to leave...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Had to leave Kazakhstan cos van was taking too big a battering on the roads. Now in Tomsk drinking beer out of a plastic glass with dreadful ear-splitting kareoke in the background. Border was very entertaining and we off-loaded a load of pens to the lads - thanks to Steve for those. Also thanks to Tim for the toolkit that helped us fix a broken down Kazakh family's car - they were very appreciative. Tomorrow we head to Krasnoyarsk.

Thursday 13 Aug 2009 15:18

Pavlodar, Kazakhstan: Had 1st...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Had 1st ugly encounter with crooked police - they basically stole my documents in the middle of nowhere, saying we had to take them to a bank & withdraw a load of cash for them to get documents back. I just pretended not to understand and asked stupid questions til they eventually gave up. Was looking nasty for a while tho. On a "positive" note we have broken into back of van so at least have access to our stuff again. So not a great day.

Thursday 13 Aug 2009 08:03

We've been in Astana last couple...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

We've been in Astana last couple of days and had great time. On road to Semey now on ok roads. Have couple of problems tho - a rock has cracked the windscreen and the back lock has gone, meaning we cant get into back of van. Need to find garage to see what they can do or it will be a crowbar job

Sunday 09 Aug 2009 16:25

Kostanay, Kazakhstan: Camped...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Camped rough last night in the Urals with a load of big yellow spiders and passed through border today to Kazakhstan. Everybody has been very friendly and we have stopped at a motel near the border cos its getting late. Currently planning route through country and looking forward to our first plov.

Saturday 08 Aug 2009 12:35

Ufa, Russia: Had great time in...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Had great time in Kazan and now passing Ufa on way to Kazakhstan. Planning on stopping to camp when get to Ural mountains. Tomorrow we will be in asia!

Friday 07 Aug 2009 07:14

Kazan

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Following the last text when we were wondering whether we would end up sleeping in the van again...well we did. And it was horrible. After getting lost in Moscow we didn't get to Vladimir til 3am and got turned away from the hotel we planned on staying at (they were "full"). After about 20 mins driving around the town in the early hours of the morning (and suprisingly not being stopped by any police!!) we decided to drive out of town to try to find a place to sleep. After a while it was feeling a little dodgy (eyes were VERY heavy) so we just turned down a quiet lane, parked up and instantly fell asleep (only to wake up less than 2 hours later cold and depressed). read more »

Tuesday 04 Aug 2009 19:05

Moscow, Russia: Took wrong turn...

by jongrocott of Ready...Steady...Gobi!

Took wrong turn and ended up driving through Moscow city centre. Absolute chaos. It's now 11pm and we're finally on our way out but with no idea where we're going. Both really hoping it's not going to be another night in the van. All we've eaten today is a pack of crisps.