URUMQI, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region When crossing the Mongolian-Chinese border at Bulgan, I advise that you read up on experiences of backpackers previously doing so. The crossing itself is in the middle of nowhere and you can only cross on feet. If you ask me, the border crossing went smooth for us, but the fun started on the other side. Only a few taxis and mini buses waiting around, drivers hauling in the Mongolian traders. We are the only tourists crossing today. I

THE MONGOLIAN ROAD TRIP When two weeks ago I've mentioned about going off the map, I've had no idea! My limits have been found and pushed, while Majka is happy beyond words that we are back to a land of showers and asphalt roads. I think she's really angry with me because I've promised her a shower every day or at least every other day, but for now she's all smiling and forgiving. Ticking bomb if you're asking me and I think we're about to find another limit... But here's the

ULAANBAATAR We went to sleep in Russia and woke up in Mongolia… Ha! Not quite! As we have reached the Russian-Mongolian border at around 8pm, first the Russian border police intimidated us with thorough check of our train compartment and documents. With quite some relief we watched the train starting to move after about 2 hours. Just when I thought of washing my teeth and face, it was the Mongolian border police’s turn to make us feel like criminals. They have checked our com

IRKUTSK AND LAKE BAIKAL Once again we had a fun ride on Trans-Siberian, shared our coupe with interesting people… At first very annoying due to tons of luggage, which were lying around everywhere in our compartment without second thought for the rest of us wanting to 'move in’. Majka and I have decided to ease the atmosphere by heading to the dining carriage and ordering a delicious lunch accompanied by ‘Zsiguli’, which is a beer surely local somewhere. Russian for sure as we

KRASNOYARSK Another 36 hours on the train and Krasnoyarks Krai has got us off our feet straight away. Waking up at 5:40 and seeing hills, valleys and morning mist behind the windows of our coupe was enough to do so. The scenery has changed overnight and we are starting to see patches of red earth after which the city of Krasnoyarsk has its name. ‘Krasnyy’ meaning red and ‘yarsk’ is after the steep river banks which run up to the surrounding hills. After we got off the train a