08/31/10 by Ross Shepley-Smith | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 44 – 45: The road to UB. Bulgan to Ulaanbaatar.
High Point: There is certainly a couple here; the monastery at Amarbayasgalant Khiid (pictures attached) finally reaching Tarmac roads (and then realising they were still wet and Martha was doing a great job of churning them up) and a splendid game of night cricket outside our gir. I think the score is now 3 – 1 to me on the stage 2 cricket fest.
The feeling in the cab was one of excitement, and banter was most definitely plentiful. To finally have UB in our sights was a great feeling, and although not technically the end of stage 2, with both Ben and Dave leaving us there, there was a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. Read more →
08/29/10 by Steve Moore | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 43 Moron
High Point.
I never thought I would love camping as much I do. Tonight was magnificent. As per normal in Mongolia, you simply drive until it gets dark, pull over in a cheeky valley and set camp. Nothing around as far as the eye can see. Wonderful. The temperature drops significantly at night here. By the time dinner is finished we are pretty much wearing every item of clothing we own. To help with the warming, and in keeping with the locals, we crack open a cheeky bottle of vodka and toast the highlights of the day. It’s moments like this I will cherish. The moon lighting up the fire engine, the mountains and our faces. A full debrief of the day and then onto the big subjects of the world. Lovely. Read more →
08/28/10 by Dave Orders | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 42: The lakes near Khatgal to Moron
High Point: It has to be the lakes. The crew were in serious need of a rest day and to spend this sat on the banks of a huge freshwater lake (3 trillion litres of water!) was incredible.
Low Point: The hangover. It was similar to the movie only with slightly more recollection. And all crew members were also still present in body – but definitely not in mind. Read more →
08/27/10 by Ben Haslett | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Oranges and Mutton Stew
High Point: Today’s chat in the cab was hilarious. Plus we the lucky recipients of more amazing generosity from our Mongolian brethren. See below.
Low Point: When James played Michael Jackson’s Earth Song and four-fifths of the cab’s occupants burst into chorus. First time thus far I’ve wished I was at work. Hats off to you Jarvis Cocker, that song sucks. Read more →
08/26/10 by James Morrow | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 40 Tosontsengel to Tsagaan Uul
High point : After 8 days in Mongolia we’ve all become very accustomed mechanics striving to fix Martha’s wounds each morning after the battering she has taken on the awful Mongolian roads the previous day. Yesterday morning was satisfyingly dirty as Ben and I fixed the oil leaking from the back locker while Steve, Ross and David managed to answer the eternal question “how many men does it take to change a lightbulb?” as the 3 of them scratched their heads and drank coffee while repairing the flood lights that fell off the roof the night before (after some suspect driving ). Read more →
08/25/10 by Ross Shepley-Smith | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 39 : Tsagaanchuluut to Tsagaam Khairkhan
High Point: After going off the so called main track on Tuesday night, waking up this morning literally in the middle of no where, surrounded by mountains on all four sides was a special treat for all of us. The rest of the crew were a little concerned we were lost. However I had every confidence I had done a wonderful job of navigation the day before (if I do say so myself) and we were just round the corner from civilisation! Thankfully lady luck was on my side and we very quickly stumbled across the village I had been looking for at 9pm last night. I knew those cub scout compass lessons would come in handy one day, thanks mum and dad. Read more →
08/24/10 by Steve Moore | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | 1 Comment »
High Point: After a couple of grinding days of desert running it was truly stupendous day today. A day that will stay with me for many years. Heading North we were back where we love it the most, remote. There can’t be too many places on Earth where one can just crack open a compass, drive North East and conquer everything in your way. Our trusty torque-heavy beast rolled her sleeves up to show her true worth. With no roads to talk of, she wiggled and piggled her way through the big man’s back garden. The only people we saw all day was a Nomad family as our Nav (Ross) for the day was a little lost and needed reassurance we were heading in the right direction. To be fair, you cut your own route here, glorious. Read more →
08/23/10 by Dave Orders | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 37 – Altai
High Point: Showers. Camping each day is obviously amazing but it had been over a week since we’d been able to properly clean. Altai provided an opportunity to stay in a hotel with running water. And it didn’t disappoint. We’ve been bathing in ice cold river water for a long time but the hotel had warm running water! We now look almost human again. Read more →
08/22/10 by Ben Haslett | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | 1 Comment »
High point: An amazing sunset, followed by a great dinner with equal thanks to Dave and Vestey Foods for their invaluable inputs.
Low point: today was my personal nadir. It started with a sore head as I’d imbibed perhaps a touch too much of the local potion the previous evening. This was followed up by a 185 k drive on tracks that made sitting in Martha feel like being in a washing machine. Also it was a filthy hot day. Finally, every stop we made was warmly greeted by a swarm of ravenous mosquitos. Wow, I hope I’m not sounding as fed up as the stage one crew. It’s really not that bad! Read more →
08/21/10 by James Morrow | Expedition Updates, Stage 2 : Moscow to Beijing | Comments Off on Day 35 Mount Tsambagaray Uul to Khovd
High point : waking up to our amazing campsite on the High Mongolian steppe surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers.
Low point : the battering martha took on the main Mongolian highway, just brutal! Read more →
