Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We made it! We are at the finish line. Thank god.
Ovorkhangai, Mongolia
we managed to get the car sorted and pressed on to Artaykheer. We've just hit tar mac. Lots of pot holes but I Still want to kiss it. With luck one more day should see us in ulaan baatar. Little car still falling to bits. Its the exhaust now. Keep praying for us.@
Bayankhongor, Mongolia
We made it to BAYANKHONGOR last night but this morning the leak from the gear box is very bad. If we can't get it fixed this will be it for us. We've driven over 7500 miles including 650 of the worst that mongolia can hit us with. We have just 120 more miles on bad roads then its 240 on paved roads to the finish line. It will be devastating to have to end now. So near and yet so far.
Bayanhongor, Mongolia
60KM from BAYANKHONGOR and we stop to help team desert storm. Their gear box is knackered. Then john notices gear oil dripping from ours. We may also be knackered. Assistance is on the way for them. John is under the car as we speak. We may also need towing to town. Deep joy.
Altay, China
This morning we had one of those magical unforgettIable encounters. The young boy from the nearby ger rode up on his horse to greet us. He was followed by his grandfather and little sister. We shared breakfast with them and i gave them my mongol rally t shirt, some pens, bread and the old man some whiskey. Just wonderful.
Altay, China
We managed to get to Mongolia with the car intact. In the last two days we have lost wheel trim, indicator, inner wheel arch, one shock absorber, all under car protection and the front bumper is held on with plastic ties. And to think i was hoping to have a nice little car to donate to charity. It's nothing short of a miracle that any me these little cars make it in one piece. 600 miles to go. What will be left of the little car i wonder.
Altanteel, Mongolia
roads went from bad to horrendous largely due to more chinese road building. River crossings were deeper and scary and the mosquiros were like vampite bats at our camp spot. Then when you think things can't get any worse i had my second bout of the squits. Squits when wild camping is no fun.
Khovd, Mongolia
been driving for eight hours and covered just 150 miles. The roads are the toughest and my old bones are creaking. We've had mountain passes river crossings rickety old bridges just to add to the fun. Brief stop at khovd to refuel then its off again to make the most of the daylight. ** some text is missing **
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
we've made it to OLGIY the first drop off point in mongolia. We are staying in a ger village for the night and are now having a beer and food with other ralliers. Six hours at the border bonding with all those other teams waiting to come through. This is what the mongol rally is all about. The people you meet on the way. Magic.
Barnaul, Russia
Western Siberia is beautiful. Not at all like all that cold war propoganda would lead you to believe. We are driving through vast expanses of green and golden wheat. We've done 6500 miles and are just a day or so from the border to mongolia. So glad i didn't come home when John was snoring.
john holden
Load john
Valerie Holden
Load Valerie
<p>"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller </p><p>"A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." Lao Tsu </p><p>"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour, Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain. </p><p> </p>