Well, not really, just the last train I’m taking this trip. The station we left from in Beijing is really state of the art – probably beautified specially for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. We were able to wait in the mothers and children waiting room – either on account of the aged mothers amongstContinue reading “The Last Train in China – off to Xian”
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Beijing: A day to explore….
So lovely to wake up naturally, with no alarm to get you on a train or a coach on time. This was a splendid day – sometimes you just need one where you ramble around aimlessly and rest mind and body. And this was quite aimless, spent in local streets looking at shops, buying theContinue reading “Beijing: A day to explore….”
Arrival in Beijing…..and the mad day that followed
After a trek from the station to the awaiting bus, we were off to our hotel: King’s Joy Hotel. Lovely twin bedded rooms – I shared with Pat – a great bar on the top floor, internet access at last! and laundry. What more do you need? We had the rest of the day –Continue reading “Arrival in Beijing…..and the mad day that followed”
Last Lap to Beijing
Please ignore the strange numbers and notes at the start of paragraphs; they are to help me identify photos to add when I can get uninterrupted wifi access. This was the last part of the Trans-Siberian (Trans-Mongolian…Trans-Manchurian) rail journey, from Moscow to Beijing. Having experienced the Russian part of the trip, then the short bitContinue reading “Last Lap to Beijing”
Not all Mongolians are fierce…
But this one was! Can you imagine driving along a dusty road across a fairly barren landscape and then coming across this massive Ghenghis Khan memorial in the middle of nowhere! Mind-blowing. I was expecting something huge, but this took my breath away! You can actually climb right up (on the inside – the liftContinue reading “Not all Mongolians are fierce…”
A Ger in Terelj National Park
It’s now Friday 22nd April and we’re on the move again. This time, off to Terelj National Park to the east of Ulaan Baatar. On the way we stopped at the memorial to Russian soldiers, up a great number of steps, so I didn’t attempt it! But those who did…! Well, there were these MongolianContinue reading “A Ger in Terelj National Park”
…and into Mongolia
19th April – Next leg of the journey – to Ulaan Baator At 9pm we were off, back to the station, down the steps, up the steps and onto the train. This time we had lovely Mongolian attendants who were friendly and helpful. It made such a difference – as did the cool temperature onContinue reading “…and into Mongolia”
Lake Baikal and Listvyanka
Kasia and I were up and off to Baikal by 11 o’clock after walking round to the cash point. Alena picked up her brother-in-law, Alexander, on the outskirts of Irkutsk and after about 40 minutes we reached the museum of Russian life and architecture, set on the bank of the River Argana after it flowsContinue reading “Lake Baikal and Listvyanka”
Irkutsk – what a delight!
We arrived in Irkutsk at 09.50 and managed to scramble off with all our luggage – many thanks to Ross who carried my large bag. By this time I was feeling pretty ill, for two nights I’d been unable to sleep lying down due to breathing difficulties but had managed a fairly good last nightContinue reading “Irkutsk – what a delight!”
The Trans-Siberian train from Moscow to Irkutsk
It’s now Sunday April 17th (Happy birthday Maddy!) and a lot has happened in the last few days. So this will be a long post – or maybe I’ll make it two… We got on the train a few days ago in Moscow, had 4 nights on board and were actually quite comfortable. Until theContinue reading “The Trans-Siberian train from Moscow to Irkutsk”
Patamateria 