Day 19 - What a difference à day make s
As I sit eating my watermelon salad in à delightful upmarket restaurant I can only think to two nights prior and the beer on the side of the road a Rockie was crippled again! She recovered and we made it to Samarkand and met this great bloke who took us out for grub.
It is quite funny the different situations that you find yourself in on such short period of time on the Mongol rally!
Day 16 - Rockie's rocking
Day 17, the Kazahkstan, Uzbekistan border. We felt that we knew what to expect with bad roads but the border crossing, more akin to Hannibal with the elephants set a new benchmark.
The car was rocking more than Cameron's convoy through an anti government rally and at this point Rockie said for fuck sake and shat out her back end. With some remedial measures around the back axel and a speed closer to a lame slug, we trudged the last 20 miles to the border.
4 hours later we sat in an NHS queue and waited to cross. We found a splint for Rockie that held enough to get us across the delightful border.
Before moving on, I would like to congratulate the border guards for their ability to take beauracracy to the next level. Asking us to take everything our the car and put it back on multiple occasions and nicking tshirts for the hell of it, they have made local government seem streamlined.
Anyway, the other side the axel snapped, we got stung for welding buy some pikey's and we're running out of fuel. Maxim the welder saved us and didn't charge us anything and now we are ready to ride once again!
Sleeping is for wimps
We found ourselves yesterday at 3 am driving the streets of Makhachkala, Russia for the latest alternative accommodation booked. You'll be pleased to know that it had a red light outside which gave a provocative red hue to our room.
Sadly Rockie was again lame with the rear shock breaking after a delightful motorway speed bump. Thanks to anothe incredibly generous person, a new shock was fitted at the cost of a shirt and selfie stick...it is incredible to see such generosity in this day and age. On a high, we returned to the road...
Eager to gain back time from previous delays we have forged ahead to Kazakhstan. Little trouble at the border is probably reflective of the fact that their roads are as questionable as the police's ethics. Rockie's revitalisation has been marred by the cruel Kazahkstani highway. More repairs required to suspension but ingenuity and some insight from fellow Adventurists will hopefully allow for a speedy resolution to allow us to proceed quickly to Uzbekistan.
Day 15 - The Road into Morder
As we climbed the majestic glacial peaks of the Georgian mountains, we were full of hope and excitement as to what Russia had in store...we found out very quickly!
It all began with an 8.5 hr interrogation at the Russian border. Apparently the concept of someone designing a route that looks like a drunk person designed it was enough to convince the Russian border patrol that our visas must be fake. With the stoicism of an exiled Greek philosopher, we battled passive aggressively and won out in the end. We are now celebrating our success with a traditional Russian pizza and a pint! I obviously am still wearing a hat as I still look like a monk!
Georgia On My Mind
Ed - In the unexpectedly pleasant Georgia just north of the border, which took a 6 hour wait to get across. Found a nice campsite literally on the beach to chill for the day. The owners have given us some great things to see whilst in Georgia before we head for the Russian border.
Mat - Geogia, I'm a fan. Long live the DVLA.
Group of us are in convoy taking the scenic route to Budapest.
waffle fuelled we make it to the party!
Eating waffles!
Hitting the ferry bar and radiator fan doesn't work!
The event horizon
So we're off tomorrow. I will be having an early start and heading for London at 6:00 to get my Russian visa and then head back for an interview with Cardiff TV. I should explain that last night we had the leaving do with a fantastic number of well wishers who signed the car and came to send us off. A common question was, are you nervous, apprehensive? The answer is a boring...no. The most fantastic and scary things tonight were the hugs that lasted longer than a normal hug would and almost final hug. The pep talk from people who normally make me look like I can handle my drink looking with a deep seeded concern.
It's heart warming to see people that generally care for your well being actually express it, especially to someone who isn't the most tactile. We live in a society that is more connected than ever before however, human contact has become all the more alien. I have some fantastic friends and family and to be honest the rally is a plus.
If I can come away sharing some of that warmth on the trip then I'll be happy.
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