Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
WE MADE IT!!!
Bayanhongor, Mongolia
Sump guard rattling, rear bumper askew, right tail light out but Micra engine purring like a lynx in heat! Just made checkpoint 4 of 6, 395 miles to Ulanbaataar. Tally ho!
Govi-Altai, Mongolia
Still running strong, though fuel gauge now broken. Picked up new spares. Drove past team with disintegrated ambulance, and other cautionary tales abound. Got lost for a bit in maze of unmarked steppe "roads" until truckers led us back to main route. Gale force winds made for restless night in flapping tents. Now lunch in Altai. Rumour has it roads get better from here.
Khovd, Mongolia
Roads a real challenge, must go agonizingly slow. First flat tire and river crossing. Running into lots of other teams, including some broken down. Expect a week before we reach UB and maybe few days before next update. Still having a blast though!
Barnaul, Russia
Smooth border crossing to Mother Russia at quiet outpost near Shemenoika after night of sleeping on hay in Kazakh farmer's field. In Barnaul, met friendly locals Artem and gang who sabotage plans for early start today by taking us out for great night. Spasiba! Now cruising to Mongolian border, hoping to cross tomorrow for the final adventure!
Kapchagay, Kazakhstan
Paid third bribe of trip to everpresent traffic cops. Chaotic, sweaty border crossing into Kazakhstan, the last stan(d), country 15. Bird flew into window narrowly missing Sam's face. Slept by idyllic shores of lake Kapshagay to sweet lullabies of Russian techno thumping from nearby hotels.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Welcome hiatus from driving spent hiking up the Ala Archa canyon. Camped next to a dilapetated stone hut surrounded by spectacular Rocky Mountain-esque snowy peaks. Abort of attempt to scale nearby summit as none could convince the others to continue the harrowing ascent. Now indulging in well-earned drab ex-Soviet hotel suite and Kyrgyz beers. Kazakhstan beckons on the morrow. Yekshemesh!
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Stunning mountain landscape here. Headed to Ala Arca Park south of Bishkek for an overnight hike. Will be off grid for a couple days.
Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Harrowing search at Uzbek exit border but breezy welcome to Kyrgyzstan. Virtually no road signs here and all Cyrillic so getting to know locals through navigation by interrogation. Thank god for Russian phrasebook. Camped in seemingly abandoned quarry by lake, only to be awoken early by dump truck. On our way to mountains south of Bishkek, planning on a hike.
Kokand, Uzbekistan
Strolled around Samarkand, and took police guided tour of closed minaret... for a fee of course. Haggled for hats at bazaar, and spectated fist fight between merchants. Today, cipro for all as effects of traditional meal sink in. Drove to Fergana Valley over Jizzax Mountains and steep Kumchik Pass. Setup for Kyrgyzstan crossing tomorrow.@
