Days on the train followed by a few on the train. Had a cold but rest and vodka is fixing that.
In Mongolia, got off the train after the nightmare of boarder crossings. We were drinking on the train with a 9pm crossing. 3-4 hours on the china side and 1 hour on the Mongolian side. We were kicked off the train while they changed the gauge of the tracks. $1 bottles of rice wine (52%), cheep beer and cards are usually a good mixture. 'Roke' is the coke rice wine mix. Many rokes later as we get back on the train to move the 25km to Mongolia and immigration and one robin is spewing (toilets are closed at this point, they opened for him a couple of times), luke is asleep, disgruntled when we wake his drunken ass and lays back down while they try give his passport back. The crossing days later was just as humorous as they closed the toilets for all of the time we cross again and Tony's face was changing color after a few hours pacing the carriage with his roll of paper. The attendant opened it as a favor... He will marry that lady!!! Never seen a bigger smile!! Haha.
Mongolia is very interesting. Had some great photos in the town square, and a big night out with Mongolian tv personalities, And there was another dance off!! Bevo would have loved it!
UB is a very different city, no one has decided on a theme do the architecture is all over the place.
Two nights in a traditional ger camp with so many highlights, horse riding, temples, mountain tops and perfect pictures!! Or the drunk overly touchy Mongolian man that was our driver and took a liking to Luke. We were playing kings where the rule was made 'anytime a Mongolian man touches you you have to drink', daylah almost died. We almost laughed ourselves to death. Mongolia is an amazing country, so much more to offer.
First day in Russia is just as impressive, lake bikal is so beautiful. 20% of the worlds fresh water in one lake, so clear and over 1km deep. In January has over 1m of ice over the entire surface and they can drive trucks across it. Even with 1m of ice, you can see the other side of the ice. But it's too cold for a swim. We all had a russian sauna today. It involves being hit with birch leaves and branches in the sauna with hot water, then after a 'massage' type thing by being hit and sprayed from the branch dipped in water, you get doused in cold water and stand outside for a breath of cold air. It revives you and feels good.
Today we are off dogsledding and for a hike. We get back on the train tomorrow night for 4 days to get to Moscow. I will be out of range for that. We have been told this train will have a restaurant cart. Last time it was 36 hours of questionable flavors of noodles. Just an occasional different hot meal would be amazing.
I have to get up and get ready got today.