Ulan-Ude

Finally finished the rally insane journey with a brilliant ending as we rolled up there was an insane firework show. The end of a long perilous journey, time to get smashed on free adventurist vodka!

If only Genghis Khan built roads instead of killing people

Just before the Mongolian border, we met a Canadian team who were also waiting for the border to open, Priyah and Greg. We organised to meet at there hotel and Priyah completely spoiled us with chicken, rice, fish and pasta! Best meal we've had in weeks! Hope you guys are doing well in Mongolia!

We awoke at 6am for the border and everything went smoothly until the Mongolians decided to go out for lunch, right before stamping out quarantine slip. Although disgruntled, we took the hour to whip up some pasta and look annoyed (without making a fuss), as we Brits do.

We later realised that although Mongolia is absolutely beautiful, it's roads are pure shit. It was my shift today and the corrugated roads were pure Hell, making it difficult to exceed 15mph. Roads had to be navigated with extreme precision although the river crossings so far have been banter, just gunning it and praying.

Convoyed with 2 other teams who we unfortunately lost along the way. An Irish team were being towed out of a river when we were informed that there was a bridge just 1km down the road... Couldn't find you guys again but hopefully we see you at some point!

Tomorrow we set off for... wherever we are able to get going 15mph...

- Jack

Kosh-Agach, Russia

Gunned it through the Altai mountians last night only to arrive at a closed border, and it doesnt open on a Sunday. Stuck in Kosh-Agach till tomorrow morning to get across to Mongolia. Heard there where teams floating about here but havent seen any, yet.

Convoying and lots of broken things

So we had a few surprises the last few days. At 10pm, driving along in the dark, a Russian driver swerved into our lane and smashed our wing mirror to pieces. The next day, shit roads SOMEHOW *shattered our rear window.* We had to put the rest of the glass through and cover it up with cling film and tape so we now have literally no vision behind us. There is also an uncomfortable draft...

Between these events, we ran into **Paddy Last**, another team! We've been in a convoy since and are now searching for a hostel, something that seems impossible in Russia. We're currently working on cross border relations between the North and South of Ireland, beers are helping negotations.

Paddy Last lost a wheel last night so there has been nothing but bad luck of the Irish recently. We ran into a German who had b**een to Ulan Ude and was on his way back, driving 12 hours a day alone.**

- Jack

Kinda forgot the blog

Currently in Chelyabinsk, we've been doing nothing but driving the last 3/4 days since arriving in Russia. Been pulled over by Police 9 times with their stupid Harry Potter traffic wands but we've covered a good 2000/3000km in Russia already.

Stayed in the Hampton by Hilton last night, very nice hotel. We know the Adventurists like the rough and tumble rally option, sleeping in ditchs etc but we decided to treat ourselves.

Whilst Dan and I stayed in the room, our Head Chef Forde became the "Irish Brother" of a drunk, bloody, ex-military Russian who had been in a fight with his dad. Forde's new friend proceeded to buy him **a lot of alcohol** and offer him a cheap hooker. What a lad! **(Forde, of course, graciously declined)**

- Jack

meh

So the WiFi died as I tried to update the blog last night so so long story short, we beached Misty (our trusty Micra). We found a dirt road signposted for [weird Russian letters] and Rally Driver Forde set off at light speed. Soon, we were stuck on a sand bank. Not to worry though, it only took an hour of digging up the road and pushing Misty to get out. We now have sand hidden away in every crevice and haven't showered for 6 days so we're considering a hotel tonight.

We camped out in a field last night and smoked a few cigars, amazed by the amount of stars and galaxies visible out in the Russian wilderness.

Today, Misty boiled over and the engine failed. We realised that the coolant had ran out and not naming names but... someone claimed it was fine, just a few days ago. Take a guess.

- Jack

Should have booked Russia guestlist

Unfortunately we didn't pm Putin for guest list and thus, spent 12 hours at the Georgia/Russia border.

So far, every border guard to come near the car has tooted the klaxon we attached to the roof, it sounds like a seagull. Russians have so far been much friendlier and laid back than we thought, the language barrier is a struggle though. Waitress at our restaurant loved it when we threw "Nyet" about.

Planning to haul some serious ass to get to Mongolia as fast as possible.

- Jack

Georgia, an unexpected gem

Turns out there is no longer a ferry to Sochi and Our information is at least 3 years old... Plan B was executed and we've driven to Georgia instead.

After 4 hours waiting at the border, our expectations weren't very high. However, we've been pleasantly surprised with Batumi having a buzzing nightlife and neon lit towers decorating the main street. We're now in Kobuleti and getting ready to leave for Russia.

Also I bought a sword with brandy in it, can't beat that.

- Jack

Ferry today

Drove from Bulgaria straight to here, going to get the ferry to Sochi later.

Our impression of Turkey so far:

- Good roads, **shit** drivers - Terrible toilets, literally holes - Drivers are courteous on the motorway but scumbags in the city![Uploading file...]()

3 guys in a car for 24 hours

We spent a day white water rafting through a freshwater river that cuts the Montenegro - Bosnia border, paddling furiously down the clear as can be water. Dan started out at the helm but was demoted soon after they realised he paddled slowly due to his lack of gains. My promotion was immenient.

After the thoroughly wonderful experience including refreshing beers, cooled by the mountain springs, and a 3 course meal we set off for Bosnia in what would become our most difficult journey yet.

We left at 5pm and arrived at the border soon after. Whilst I slept, the Border police informed Dan and Forde that we had no green card and thus, could not enter with the car. As they confiscated our passports temorarily, leaving us in no man's land, we were told we could go back to Montenegro and try and get a green card or we could well... scratch their backs. I awoke and together we decided to pay what we've deemed, "The Bosnia Night Club Entrance Fee."

After acidentally dropping €20, we were suddenly on the guestlist and motoring off on the terrible, stony roads which, 20minutes later, burst our tyre. Another hour later and we had went though a bottle of sealant (which didn't work) forcing us to change the tyre.

I took a sleep in preparation for the night shift and awoke at 12 to find we were pretty much just into Serbia and a bit lost since our GPS had messed up, not showing the map anymore. Dan drove a while longer whilst we tried to get back on track but ultimately we ended up buying a map at about 2am and finally made some progress, getting halfway across Serbia.

Since the brave soulless ginger had been awake for nearly 24 hours at this point, we switched over and he got some sleep at about 3am. With my expert map reading skills, I drove for 6 hours through some of the most 2nd world looking countryside I've ever seen. Not a fun experience.

Forde took over again at about 9am, shortly after crossing into Bulgaria and we set off for Stoykite to rest and relax. Sadly we didn't get there until about 6pm due to road closures, actually running out of petrol and mountain roads which we couldn't go fast on.

We're leaving for Istanbul tomorrow but have enjoyed staying at my parents apartment (thank you) to recoup before the hard part starts, as if those 24 hours weren't difficult, yet fun, enough.

- Jack![Uploading file...]()![Uploading file...]()