Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
we have made it just.
Altay, China
What a day. People who describe Mongolia as a car-breaker are not lying! After the boot incident yesterday, the problems seemed to come in groups... The abs has packed up, we picked up a rather enthusiastic puncture and the car refused to start. Then, a few miles down the road, our rear left damper collapsed and started peeing oil over the brake. Oh and then to top it off, the car wouldn't start, and when we did get it going, it got stuck in sand and stalled again! Anyways, we camped under a beautiful sky last night with another team (who have 3 holes in their petrol tank) and fixed a couple of things, so we're limping to altay now to try and fix the rest. All in good spirits though after laughing at the other team for buying a litre of mayonnaise, thinking it was pasta sauce!
Khovd, Mongolia
going to try and get as close to Altay as possible. Roads are diabolical, already passed a team with a totally smashed alloy wheel and two with punctured fuel tanks. We got stuck in the sand for the first time this morning, and spent half an hour digging ourselves out. Then came two large river crossings big enough to get water inside the car! Then came our own inevitable breakdown... In the form of our boot flying open as the boot catch had fallen to pieces - although it was so rough we didn't notice for 5 mins! Its being held down with bungees now.
Khovd, Mongolia
reached Khovd after driving on some of the worst roads I have ever seen. Averaging 20mph maximum and having to cross several rivers. Reached Khovd just before nightfall, and got fed some grub. Heading off to sleep in our first ger now!
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
finally in mongolia! What a place, absolutely desolate so far, but a lovely family has put us up for the night. Been fed the local food of a mix of mutton, pasta and potatoes. Nice. Out comes the vodka and its shots and arm wrestling for dessert...
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
Sorry for the lack of updates, folks, Mongolian signal aint great! So here is a summary of the last few da.
Kostanay Province, Kazakhstan
We were trying to take the most direct route to Astana as possible, so stopped in the village of irgiz for some petrol and food. Pure luck meant that a kazakh chap and his wife - who had both studied at york university - bumped into us and said that the route we were taking was impassable! So we've had a rethink and are heading to oostanay tonight (roads permitting) and astana tomorrow (likewise). Bought some tinned sardines from a little shop because jordan didn't fancy tinned horse. Damn, I'm determined to try it!@
Braila, Romania
on a ferry to somewhere not sure where to, satnav thinks there is a bridge, doesn't look like they have built it yet. Trying to reach Constanta.
Vulcănești, Moldova
Hurrying through.
Odesa, Ukraine
