Bukhara Province, Uzbekistan
drive to bukhara was a bizarre mix of new highway and old roads with car killing craters. Made it in one piece though. Plenty of other ralliers around bukhara - seems we dodged a bullet (almost literally) by avoiding the caspian sea ferry crossing... Reports of teams encouraged to pay bribes by the presence of a gun on the table. took in sights of bukhara old town this morning. kalon minaret and the ark were highlights. we also stopped by the notorious "bug pit", anyone interested in a gruesome link to victorian england should look up stoddart and conolly. off to samarkand this afternoon, which is a short 4hr hop down the road.
Atyrau, Kazakhstan
kazak border pretty smooth and everyone very friendly. Not much in kazakhstan currently, very dry and flat, apart from the road, which is very potholey. Time beginning to tell on kit, car and organisation. Lost one watch, gained one tick, hopefully not bearing encephalitis. Also have self diagnosed caffein withdrawal headaches which hit about 4pm each afternoon, although i suppose that could be the roads too?! Car charger also playing up, so goodbye two ipods, hello shania twain cd on repeat. 90km to civilisation in atyrau, then to tackle beyneu to nukus where there is 'no road'.....
Rostov Oblast, Russia
Russia has good long straight flat boring roads, surrounded by large flat boring fields. Made it through border ok, although they made us fill in the car forms six times... Bored guys with weird hats on a power trip. Camped off main road in field out of town. 8 hrs to kazak border today. We cant remember what day it is, over and out
Mariupol', Ukraine
succesful days driving today after we finally manages the much talked about early start. Netty now minus an australian flag which was nicked from the car last night, but pink union jack still going strong if a little dirty and frayed round the edges. Wheel arches still giving us jip but manageable, it seems we just did bring too much stuff.... Had our first police pullover but i smiled sweetly and they let us go. Staying at a vast empty very soviet looking hotel this eve, everyone very nice apart from the wasps, one of which has stung steven, apparently unprovoked. Off to do battle with the russian border tomorrow! X
Bucharest, Romania
things we have learnt today: main romanian crops are sunflowers, corn and melons. Main rule of the road is overtake at all costs, shortly followed by get out of the way: steven and i have similar views on religion, although worryingly his leftist leanings resulted in a suggestion that i should give all my handbags to charity: netty is skittish in the wind. All good! Nearly at hotel, quick qt sc then out on the town xx
, Camping International Timisoara, Timișoara, Romania
chicken curry with curry supanoodles on the go. This blog is rapidly becoming a food blog. Campsite has wifi and restaurant but we're practicing for later.... Rich working on car, steven posting photos. The epic journey continues....
Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
extremely hot in the car, i have sympathy for dying dogs. Budapest is beautiful, next on the list for a mini break if we still want to travel after all this! Two hours till are first self selected campsite in romania after another day of going through three countries!
, Budapest, HU - Vienna, AT
sun shining on budapest and the mighty maroons! What a lunch time driving break! Well done boys!!!!!
Bratislava Region, Slovakia
feeling refreshed after brilliant hospitality of dagmar blight - thanks! On way to romania via hungary. Stop off in budapest this morning to watch state of origin. Go the maroons!!!
Burgenland, Austria
on our way to meet local bike escort at slovak border courtesy of dagmar blight, looking forward to a cup of tea, a wash and being out of the car this evening! X
