Beijing Roundup

Beijing surprised me...

From the Hutongs to the High Rise

Our Chinese experience started well: the train crew's method of emptying the compartments in order to get them clean after a week's travelling was free food vouchers for breakfast and lunch. This, coupled with spectacular river gorges linked by a warren of 63 tunnels wound us into our epic train journey's final destination: Beijing.

Where Camels Grumble

So after six days, a host of unforgettable experiences and close to 800 miles, most of which at least felt off road, we're back in the metropolis that is Ulaanbataar.

Where Water Flows

Today was always intended to be a watery day, the original plan to go and see Mongolia's highest waterfall, Orkhon. However, a chat to our guide last night gave way to the fact that the road to get there would be very rocky and moreover, she had an alternative in the form of a hot spring which would be very 'comfortable'. Lets just say she sold the hot springs and so, after a slightly later start, we headed off glad to be on a paved road for the majority of the journey.

Where Monks Chant

Possibly the longest drive of our trip so far, not helped by the initial half an hour needed to get back to the road from last night's ger, or the stop on the main road to say hi to people in a passing car, led us to our first real 'tourist attraction' outside of UB; the Erdene Zuu Monastery.

Where Horses Roam

Day two of our Mongol adventure saw us on the 'road' again, heading towards Khastai national park.

Where Eagles Soar

Day one of our Mongolian adventure, took us out of the hussle and bustle, and traffic, of Ulaanbataar to the closest, and apparently most developed national park, Terejl.

Mongol Metropolis

We have made it, as we are constantly reminded, to the land of Gengis (or Chingis, if you're a local) Kahn and his Mongol hordes, against whom the Great Wall of China was built.

Cabin Fever

Four-and-a-bit days on a train can only do good things to you right?

Boarding the train...

So the first full day on the train and we've not killed each other and even relaxed.

Race around the capital

Our last day in the Russian capital and our to do list was still pretty extensive so after a quick packing up in the morning we left the hostel, doubtful that they'd even realised and headed back into the city centre.

Mingling with the greats

Despite being in the capital, today we decided to take a break from gold and marble and wonderful artwork (perhaps reinforcing further the status of art philistines). In practice this meant we had the difficult job of avoiding large buildings, museums and churches, and instead headed South of the river, to try and escape the major tourist crowds and see Moscow outside of the Kremlin.

Landing on Red Square.

So didn't pull a Matthias Rust (google it) but we have been in Moscow for a full day, got our bearings and been exposed to yet more gold. Our concept of scale have been destroyed yet again and we've been left perplexed at Russian administration.

Training begins....

After a more relaxed day in St. Petersburg, the inevitable approached and it was time to leave the relatively safety of latinised transliterations and head to Moscow, and so the train-ing began.

Blaze of glory

After a lazy start to the day and repacking ready to move on this evening, we eventually headed out for a more relaxing wander through more sites of St. Petersburg. Well, more relaxed until the rain started moving in on us at least...

Boating in the Moonlight

Midnight. Apparently a good time for two things here; boat trips and music video filming. Unfortunately we're not going to be the next stars of MTV, neither did we recognise those who were, either way we were clearly more amused at the necessity to walk through their set to board the boat, than the guard who let us on.

All that glitters...

...Is almost certainly gold.

A view from the streets of St. Petersburg

Making up one bunk bed is usually enough - three in twenty four hours is a little superfluous, however more on that at a later date...for now St. Petersburg appears to be treating us well.

In Russia with Love

So we're here, the plane landed on time and after the longest taxi route which could have possibly been drawn on the airfield (due to maintenance apparently) we made it through security and out the doors.

And we're off!

Last minute panic buying completed, one awfully early start managed and breakfast successfully sourced and we've started.