In 2014 I went on a journey following the Trans Mongolian route from Beijing China, through Mongolia with a stop in Ulan Bator into and across Russia ending up in St Petersburg. My parents, sister and brother-in-law came along...
Irkutsk to Yekaterinburg
We managed to get all five of us and baggage back into Irkutsk from Listvyanka by booking a private transfer service which managed to get around all of the hassle. Since we’d allowed time for things to ‘go wrong’...
The Day That Didn’t Happen
We decided to take the local Matreshka (small mini van) into Irkutsk for a look around, after all we had the time so we thought we might as well see a bit of it while we were in the...
Lake Baikal
We had arrived in Irkutsk. Not that we intended to stay there very long. The main reason to get off the train here is to visit Lake Baikal. Given that we decided to stay in a small lakeside village...
Ulan Bator to Irkutsk
Getting to the train station was the easy part since the hotel had a drop off service that charges approximately the same as a taxi except we didn’t have to find the taxi or 2 of them since there...
A Little Bit of Culture in Ulan Bator
When we got back to Ulan Bator after spending a couple of days in the National Park we decided to go to a Cultural Show. Let’s face it we can all do with a little bit of that culture...
Staying in the Terelj National Park
We were met at the train station when we arrived by a transfer service since the Terelj National Park where we were planning to stay at the Terelj Lodge is about an hours drive out of town. We spent...
Beijing to Ulan Bator
Finally that day arrive, it was time to catch the train from Beijing, China to Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Thankfully it was a morning train so we didn’t have to cool our heals in Beijing ‘waiting’ for the train. We...
Out & About in Beijing
We had a full day to explore in Beijing before heading off on the first leg of the Trans Mongolian the next day. As with Xian I had pre arranged a day tour, this time with Catherine Lu Tours....
A Day in Xian
On of the things that I thought would be a pity for my parents to miss was a trip to see the Terracotta Warriors. Now I could have hauled them out and about by myself however to make things...
Trans Mongolian here we come
Yes we are at the departure lounge waiting our boarding call after a yummy seafood tea Cass Jean & Dave John has been into duty free & we are ready to go Oh no an hour late never mind...
Arriving in Xian
I decided that since mum and dad had never been to China that it was a shame if they did not at least get to see a couple of things in China before we boarded the train from Beijing...
Finally It’s Time
There were times I wondered if this trip was actually going to happen but before I knew it really here I am sitting at the International Airport waiting for the first of two flights that will see us at...
Trans Mongolian The Visa’s
That little counter on my iPad is counting down. Well actually there are several counters for different things but the one that is relevant here is the one telling me I have 6 days until arriving in China...
Trans Mongolian Railway – Planning
The Trans Mongolian Railway, its been on the ‘list’ for quite some time. Now, in May 2014 that trail is finally going to happen. There will be 5 of us on the trip with my parents, sister and brother...