Boarding the train in Moscow we were both excited and interested at how the next 4 days on a train would unfold. However soon these feelings were overshadowed by nerves as 3rd class really did mean 3rd class. The 'cabin' was dirty, cramped and hot and the locals we were sharing with were just as dirty and unhygienic. Despite all this we got into the swing of life on the rails and soon found ourselves having lots of fun. The restaurant car became our home where we read, played cards and watched the world go by.

When we arrived in Irkutsk 4 days later and made our way to Lake Baikal we were equally as shocked. Yet this time at how beautiful the area was, the lake was still frozen and the mountain range behind the lake just enhanced the view. We decided to get a hovercraft across the lake to explore more of it which was both great fun and also gave us even more stunning scenery. Unfortunately we only spent 1 night here and soon found ourselves back on a train to Ulaanbaatar. This time we were in second class, which was far more pleasant.

We arrived in Ulaanbaatar 2 days later and we spent the first night in a Ger camp, large tents that Mongolian nomads live in. This was fantasic, the surrounding area was mountainous and covered in snow so we spent most of our time walking, horse riding and finally eating some decent food. Russian cuisine is fairly limited to say the least.

Our last leg was just one night from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing however it was certainly our most eventful as Joe had a brief passport scare i.e. he left it in the hotel in Mongolia. Luckily this got sorted and we got across the border with no problems. We arrived in Beijing the next day and are staying with some of Joe's family friends, Buffie and Steve. Their penthouse can only be described as luxury. We will now explore Beijing and its many sights.

Jonny & Joe