We spent four hours crossing from Russia to Mongolia this morning, most of it spent with the Russians, who were mad that their counterparts in the hinterlands didn't give us the proper customs document when we came into the country. Sarita and Don waited patiently...
Soon come: Crossing into Mongolia Early start to our goodbye to Baikal and nice cool weather and bright sun to set us on a course for Ulan Ude and the Mongol border. Our travels took us all along the southern shore of the inland sea, making...
We were complaining about the poor road conditions earlier this morning, so karma decided to punish us with a turn to gravel from asphalt. Yep, the main highway connecting southern and central Siberia is only paved about half of the time. A long day, but thanks...
The small town of Kemarova boasted free wifi in the public squares and a huge variety of random statues, but we had a fruitless search for the hotel listed on the Internet booking site. However, while a few of us were out wandering in search...
August 7-8 We had a restorative breakfast after "sleeping" on the bus last night. Good eggs, sausage, and toast plus wonderful coffee, then finding the eclectic Hotel Barnaul to stay for a much needed hotel night before setting out north along what we hope are better...
Last night was a big lightening storm and sunset over the steppe was actually very pretty. A few of us discovered that our tents aren't waterproof, like Pietro, who described his night of swimming when we all joined up for coffee this morning. The rain has continued, as...
We spent a nice night camping at ye another scenic landfill, waking early to continue onward to Semey. Finding suitable campsites is yet another of Sarita's jobs, and she has a knack for finding the right combination of elements we need for wild camping with...
Almaty traffic jams After days of desolate desert roads, the massive traffic jams of the city took us quite by surprise. Sarita was unfazed, having survives Abu Dhabi traffic, but for the rest of us, the lack of rules, painted lines, and the Will-named "hornstorms" cacophony. It...
I'm still lazy and not taking pictures from the fancy camera off of it, but here are a few from the phone. Kaz roads, random chickens, and other things you do to entertain 9 people on one bus driving thousands of miles together. Border guards,...
August 3 return to Kazakhstan We got up early to do some video work, with the girls making sand angels and also sport some mustaches for a fun segment. Sarita is so organized, and has the cheerful temperament of a Parris Island drill sergeant when needed. We...