And so...
Can't quite believe we made it all the way here! This a great city but such a huge contrast to the rest of the country that it is rather a shock. Unfortunately it is nearly time for us to leave. We have handed the car over which was sad - it will cleaned up and auctioned off, the money will then go to charity. I wasn't sure the Mongolian people would want it after that epic journey but we already had enquiries in the rush hour traffic queue on the way to the finish line!
I think everyone needs a Nissan Micra!Â
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
spoke2 soon about the road but we made it, fucking hey! About 80 teams have arrived out of more than 400.woo!
Ovorhangay, Mongolia
lost others yday+ended up on edge of mountain on razor rock road way off the map, all our spare tires busted.but the mighty micra did it+we arrived by midnight.everything is covered in dust but an actual paved road began so we are no longer being thrown round+we found our friends!@
Bayanhongor, Mongolia
our new friends broke down in the desert+by standing on top of their van with wire+a pole we managed2get reception2call 4a recovery truck.now we have got 7people in 2micras! The random noises are getting louder but the cars are still going+we are 600km to the finish line : )
Hovd, Mongolia
had 1st shower in a week!this country is beautiful-there really is nothing inbetween the small towns except a few goats.onward2 the capital!
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
border took monday morning until wednesday lunchtime...the road literally ended in russia+the car may well be shook2 pieces. Mongolia!
Republic of Altai, Russian Federation
beautiful camping in hills but had2get tow rope out this morning! Cant believe we're nearly in mongolia, next challenge4today-border control
Crazy Capital
So we ragged it up to Astana, the newish capital of Kazakhstan. This country is so amazing - the cities are modern and driving round them is hectic but then it is so vast (world's ninth biggest country apparantly) that there are sections of desert - with 2 humped camels aswell as sections that are green and also alot of nothing! The contrasts are really big. There is a super motorway into the capital but then some of the roads are insane - full of potholes or just dirt tracks, those are the most fun!
What else...convoyed with some other ralliers for a bit which was cool but then everyone went their own way and Isaac and Kenneth's car broke down so we had to go on alone. It is fixed now and they did some bigger drives to catch up with us in Astana.
Kazakhstan - what a country! Oh and other then a few strange noises our car is fine - it got us here so I hope it can get us through Russia and onward to Mongolia.
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This internet is slow so I think it will put our route position wrong but anyway, we are in Astana.Â
Aktobe, Kazakhstan
going it alone through northern kazakhstan, trying to make up time.this country is incredible
Astrakhan, Russian Federation
5hours gettin thru border but finally we in kazakhstan.roads r crazy, its dark but we r on our way2 birthday party with 8 other ralliers!
