May 2010
Another Webber wanders
Sun 9th May 2010 — drewOur visits to many countries seem to have corresponded with major public holidays and national celebrations. In general, this has been a happy coincidence as we have been able to join in the festivities; however, for organising travel and visas, the country-wide shut down can be a problem. The day that Steve arrived was the start of a long holiday weekend marking 35 years since 'liberation' or 'reunification' - the end of the American war. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it to the airport to meet Steve as we wanted to get our Russian visa application in before the holidays began.
Beijing and the Great Wall of China
Tue 11th May 2010 — drewWith only two days in Beijing we knew that there was a lot to pack in. We were staying in a guest house with an amazing inner courtyard that could have been the set of a kung fu film. The staff were very enthusiastic and helpful, and we signed ourselves up for a trip the Great Wall which was to leave very early the next morning.
The first leg of our journey home: Beijing - UlaanBaatar
Wed 12th May 2010 — drewWe were planning on getting a taxi to the train station but ended up in Beijing's answer to a tuk-tuk; a fully enclosed metal box about the size of a chest of drawers, seemingly built around a motorbike. Drew had remarked on the way to the taxi rank that it would be quite impressive to get both of us and all out luggage into the back of one of these, but when no normal taxis were available, we somehow managed to squeeze in.
Into Outer Mongolia
Fri 14th May 2010 — drewWe were picked up from UlaanBaatar train station by one of the popular guesthouses and were taken back for a very welcome shower (there are no showers on the train!). Clean and refreshed we reorganised our bags for our trip to the nearby Terelj national park.
Chilling out in Siberia
Tue 18th May 2010 — drewWe had a fairly hurried dinner before getting on the train again in UB. As this was our last meal in Mongolia we went to a local restaurant that had been recommended to us. Although there was an English menu, the description of the dishes still left us a little uncertain of what we were ordering; we went for 'main meal with potatoes' which turned out to be a shepherd's pie made with mutton and was pretty good.
Moscow - wanderings end?
Mon 24th May 2010 — drewIrkutsk to Moscow was to be the longest leg of our train journey (and strictly speaking the only section which was actually along the trans-Siberian line). The 5185km to Moscow was to take 4 days and 3 nights, by far the longest time either of us have ever spent on a train.