Philip Long

Philip Long
Of Baatar Buzz Wagon
On the The Mongol Rally 2011
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The Buzz Wagon hits the finish line!

We made it! All the team (uninjured) made it to the finish line in Darty (very much injured). 10,105 miles, 44 days and a lot of sweat after leaving Edinburgh we found the finishing line/hotel hidden away in the center of Ulan Baatar. The Mongolian leg of the trip was one of the most scenic and eventful we had done and was a cracking way to end the journey.

Having left the comfort and safety of the Ger in Khovd we entered the longest stretch between towns that we would have to do - 450km. Stocked up on petrol, water and tinned fish we had a quick shower at the local bathhouse and headed out into the Gobi. Met a load of teams on the road all with their own problems but still pushing onwards East. Darty was complaining in the form of a load roar from the exhaust, but we ignored him and turned the radio up. Camped with a load of teams the next evening and even managed to impress them with our culinary prowess!

Was a nice change driving beside other teams on the road and made for some great photo opportunities from their cars (especially when standing on the roofrack at 30mph...). Few punctures that we had to fix but otherwise clean sailing all the way to the next town where Rich's bartering expertise came in handy when acquiring new tyres. Hooked up with a few other teams along the way and mixed the camping between group nights with vodka and solo nights with Band of Brothers on the laptop.Our convoying even stretched as far as a Mongolian van, whose driver got on our car for 15km leaving me stuck on the roof...

Eating the remaining food (including tinned horse we picked up from Kazakstan) the nights ran out and we found ourselves 100km from Ulan Baatar, with a car that did not sound healthy at all, preparing to enter the urban fray. A final campfire, thanks to the back car shelf and some spare fuel, and it was the morning of the final day. Got slightly lost finding the finish site but got their in the end to toast a few beers to the entire trip, Darty and everyone we met along the way. Then a few more beers to celebrate Charlie not managing to gut the car on some rocks. Then a few more later to the other teams. Then a few more to celebrate other things.The rest gets hazy.

Hope people have enjoyed the blog (if anyone actually reads this) and i would recommend to everyone and anyone to take part next year. A few months off work wouldn't be that bad.

Philip Long
Of Baatar Buzz Wagon
On the The Mongol Rally 2011
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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Made it To Mongolia!

At last. We're here. MONGOLIA!

Had a stunning drive through the Russian Alti region with smooth, well maintain roads weaving inbetween massive scenic mountains. Plus the majority of the time we followed a large river which made for great camping and easy washing (pots and bodies). After a small panic of losing some important documents at the Russian boarder we officially entered Mongolia! Or at least the boarder crossing...

The amount of red tape was something to behold at the crossing and caused a total delay of around 18 hours, as well as a social but very cold stay at a car park in no-mans land. Being at 2300m (and missing 2m of snow by 3 weeks) it was not too surprising however.

Earlyish doors we climbed back into Darty and sallied forth into the Mongolian steppes to be greeted by some of the most impressive roads yet. Sand and rock tracks making their way through huge grassy plains and snow capped mountains. Occasionally we pass a few yurts, a herd of horses or a well prepared 4x4 offroader... We sometimes feel under preparred.

Staying tonight with at an offical Rally stop point (the first since Czech Republic) and plan on having a rare warm nights sleep in a yurt after a few glasses of the finest Mongolian vodka - Chengis Khan Gold.

1500km, a few river crossings and some mountains to go. However having just seen the remains of 40 teams cars in a garage we can only pray we make it. Maybe some of Chengis Khan's Golden liquid will steady the nerves.

Philip Long
Of Baatar Buzz Wagon
On the The Mongol Rally 2011
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Lakes, Locals and LADS

Hello all charlie here doing the blog for the first time!

Our last update(philip tells me) saw us leaving Samarkand for the border  into Kazakhstan. Despite a late arrival at the border crossing having gone to the wrong one north of Tashkent we entered Kazak around 10pm and found a decent camp spot about 40km over the boarder. Next morning woke to two guys possibly stealing a goat, and a herder who told us we couldnt camp on his goat ground, so off we went sharpish to Shymkent.

 Here we were fortunate enough to be hooked up with a local Kazak family, courtesy of Philipsflatmate from Aberdeen (the redoubtable Patrick Foote) who sister happend to be married to Kazak chap whose family were Shymkent locals. The next few days we were treated like princes with local cooking and fruit, a trip to meet and English class and at the end we were presented with some traditional Kazakh robes! After that we headed to a garage ran by some top Russian lads who gave us some bigger springs from an old vauxhall vectra, which are awesome and have not broke yet huzzah!

 After our time in Shymkent we boosted north to lake Balqash for swimming and cracking camping spots. Unquestionably some of the highlights of the rally next to this enourmous freshwater lake, we went swimming 2 or 3 times a day and had some fantastic camp spots on the banks of the lake. The only draw back was the quality of the road! most of the time slowed to 5 or so mph and at times slower. However after day 3 of track crawling the track round the lake became impassable so we (quite unintentionally) shot to a train track on a northerly tack and luckily found a much better track that took us to the main road: phew. Car had done miraculously well on a very bad road, the springs had held out and the exhaust was behaving itself. Only problem we had was a member of the team driving over a rock. Also a suspicious metallic clicking when turning the car when in gear. Apart from that bring on Mongolia!

 After that headed north for the boarder for Russia, nothing too eventful happend, apart from our final night in Kazakhstan, we were sitting around our camp fire and at about 10pm or so 3 army dudes rocked up out of nowhere (batons at the ready) and began looking threatening as it seems we were not supposed to be having in such fire friendly ground. Still all well, offered them booze/fags/tea and they were off pretty quickly.

Next morning crossed the boarder into Russia, all of us over the moon at the rapid improvement in the roads that occured as soon we entered Russia. Met up with another team and convoyed for the first time sharing stories and a not inconsiderable amount of vodka with 'Team Bear'. Currently we are in Barnal making all haste for the Mongol Border at Tsaanguur and the final leg of the rally.

 We shall endeavour to keep our loyal fans abreast of our activities when another chance presents itself for another update! Till then, to quote Bilbo Baggins: "the road goes ever on."

Philip Long
Of Baatar Buzz Wagon
On the The Mongol Rally 2011
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Persian Paradise

Whilst this entry is labelled 'Persian Paradise' that is maybe an exagduration. Do not think that Iran isn't stunning (it truely is), it just falls short of amazing and the title sounded catchy.

The rest of Turkey was stunning however costly in more than one way... The price of petrol was among the highest in Europe and thanks to a rather large stone on the road we now have a new air vent in the undercarriage of Darty. Whilst we're not too sure what damage has benn done the car now sounds like a proper Rally engine roaring along at 30mph. Also Mt. Nemrut was brilliant (a volcanic crater up a mountain) so thanks to cousin Tim for the advice. Didn't find the statues however... 

We entered the Iranian boarder through a relitively new crossing and thus had a little run around differnt buildings to collect the correct stamps and documents. For all of the warnings we had about the strict authorities it was a relief to encounter friendly, helpful and pleasant staff and locals along the way. The Iranian people are some of the kindest we have met and will, and have, go out of their way to help us head in the right direction or give us advice. A friendly policeman even stopped the traffic on a highway to let us reverse up back to a roundabout we missed.

Hitting the Caspian sea next for a well needed dip (its averaging 43'C...)

 Buzz Wagon out xxx

Philip Long
Of Baatar Buzz Wagon
On the The Mongol Rally 2011
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Turkey and Cranberry Sauce

Just time for a slightly more lengthy message, Charlie complaining of lack of sleep however so best be short.

So far so good regarding our trusty automobile who we have dubbed D'Artangion (the 4th Muskateer), a few issues but nothing too dramatic. The heat sheild from under the car is now taped on however and one of the fuses kees blowing. On the up side the squeaky wheel is improving and local radio is, in most places, bearable. Let us hope the Irain roads agree with fragile Darty.

The boarder crossings have for the most part been problemless, although they are bound toget more troublesome the further east we travel. So far we've only had to swear blind that we weren't carrying any suspicious powder or herbs into Croatia, pay the local 'environmental tax' and 'insurance' to suspicious, greedy looking police and avoid areas that needed avioding. In all honesty we had no idea about the 200 Serbians burning a Kosovo boarder post to the ground and shooting the police, and so crossed into Kosovo 18 hours later in ignorant bliss. That may of explained the military trucks racing around however...