Day 40 Ulan Ude the finish line!
We're here at the finish line! The car took us over 10000miles and we had barely any problems, just a dodgy wheel bearing on day 2, a couple of punctures and a loose rear shock! We've made it!
Ulaanbaatar!
We're here in the Mongolian capital for a good time not a long time, heading out of the city after we refuel our car and ourselves, aiming to get as close to the border this evening so we can have a smooth run to the finish line tomorrow! The Tarmac roads have been a welcome relief and it looks like it's all sealed to the finish! Next stop Ulan Ude!
Somewhere in the depths of Mongolia!
Another huge day! Staying in a strange town called bayankhangor, hopefully there is tar seal from here on!
A mission to Altai
Again the Tarmac stretched out before us, we were making good time! Then as we were approaching half way to the town of Altai, our aim for the day, we met another rally team who had finished the rally and we're heading home, the road up ahead was not looking good. A sandy road that stripped two sump guards, punctured a wheel and over heated an engine, we got to Altai late found a resteraunt and call it a night! More of the same tomorrow! Apparently the roads improve soon?!
The roads of Mongolia!
First you start the day with high hopes as a fresh layer of Tarmac leads off into the horizon as Mongolia slowly cruises into the 20th century with its road projects, but after a short while the Tarmac stops, the bouncy dirt roads turn into Rocky Mountain passes and your shock absorber falls off! Lucky a convoy of other rally cars was able to help and we left a little batterred and bruised! Didn't make it as far as we'd hoped today but our finish line target is still in sight
We are in Mongolia!!!
Drove a great road through Russia today, mountains, rivers and Tarmac! Made it to the border late afternoon and saw the dry landscape and mountains out in front of us! After all the trouble at the Mongolian border in the last few weeks we were amazed to breeze through in about 20minutes! Got a bit ripped off by local money changers and insurance salesmen but Mongolia is amazing! We were greeted by excited children and local herders! Drove just over an hour to Ulgii where we have met up with some ralliers! Staying in yurts tonight, back into the wilderness of Mongolia in the morning!
One night in Russia!
Fairly quick border crossing considering we were going through the iron curtain! Just wanted to drive as far as possible so we were close to the Mongolian border, made it past Biysk and found some great freedom camping next to a river! Onwards to Mongolia tomorrow!
our last night in Kazakhstan!
Not much to report from Kazakhstan, we just drove on long uneventful highways for 3 days so we can cross the border with Russia tomorrow! There seems to be a problem with corrupt police but freedom camping is easy, you just drive off the road into the steppe and pitch your tent, fantastic! Happy to leave Kazakhstan tomorrow for a short dip into Russia as we make our way to the main event, Mongolia!
Another uneventful day in kazakhstan
Not much to report, same old landscape, only got stopped by the cops once today! Freedom camping was great success!
Kazakhstan
Getting through Kazakhstan as soon as possible! So far the second worst country on the rally after Turkmenistan, boring long roads and corrupt cops! Good place for freedom camping though
Robbie
I enjoy chocolate. I have little to no mechanical skills
Tom
Goats are like mushrooms, if you shoot a duck, I'm afraid of toasters!
Shannon
"If you french fry when you're supposed to pizza, you're gonna have a bad time"
We are Big Fat Yak Attack. Four Tour guides from NZ looking to get lost in the unknown
Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours
Flying Kiwi offers unique and award winning travel experience in New Zealand! The flexible, fun and great value tours have been running in New Zealand since 1988 sharing the best this small country has to offer with visitors from all over the world. The tours include group meals organised by the guides and delivered with help of the passengers so it's really easy to get to know the group while you're helping out chopping veggies. The accomodation on tour is camping, although there are many places where you can upgrade to a cabin or room, many of the locations are further enhanced by camping in the great outdoors. As an optional extra you might want to try out some cycling while on the trip to really take in the landscape or take part in the many activities New Zealand has available like bunny jumping, skydiving, caving, canyoning or swimming with dolphins. If you would like to find out more about travelling to New Zealand then get on to the website or come and talk to two of Big Fat Yak Attacks founding members, Tom and Shannon who work as guides for the company and are hoping that some of the travelling experiences we gain everyday working in New Zealand will come in handy on our trip to Mongolia We'd like to thank Flying Kiwi for their generous support and becoming our first sponsors!
Creation cakes
Creation cakes is a locally based cake decorating company in Gloucester. Tanya, the founder and owner, is full of wonderful ideas and can cater to almost any design idea you might have. Perfect for Birthdays, events and special occasions creation cakes can bake you the perfect cake! Check out Tanya's website and find her on Facebook! Thanks for the support!