Trans-Mongolian railway – day 5 of 5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by houseofwendytravels

Whoop, whoop! The alarms goes off at 6am and we have arrived in Mongolia! However, I’m cream crackered and the rest of the updates will have to wait for another today. Tune in for Mongolian fun and games soon 🙂

Trans-Mongolian railway – day 4 of 5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by houseofwendytravels

Today is our last day on board and it will be sad to leave, although I must admit I am looking forward to a shower and seeing what greets us in Mongolia.

I was awoken this morning to loud female Russian voices; three ladies armed with boxes and boxes of fruit had embarked and had decided to pile them up outside my door; getting out and to the loo was a task and a half, especially since I had not consumed my morning coffees!

The carriage was buzzing, many were awake early morning and managed to see a big lake; this treat I missed; 4am start – don’t they know I’m on holiday, lol. However, the landscape has drastically changed as we head towards Mongolia. For days the countryside was covered in green, green trees (not to dissimilar to the English countryside) yet today the terrain is awash with mountains and smatterings of golden leaves, most pretty.

Today is not only party day, but also border control day. As we leave Russia the guards board and scan our passports, whereas when we enter Mongolia they take our passports off the train to check. All exciting stuff. Come on you need to remember this is day four onboard and small things most certainly please small minds.

So, border control came and went – very slowly; I think we must spent about two hours at each crossing; time enough for Diana to draw some caricatures of Di and I. Most flattering 🙂

Then party time! The feast was a banquet and a half and I think everyone who were celebrating; Di and Fred happy birthday and Jill and Martin happy 43 wedding anniversary; were happy bunnies.

Our last night aboard, 6.30am we arrive in Mongolia.

Trans-Mongolian railway – day 3 of 5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by houseofwendytravels

Today it’s Friday, 4.26pm and the day has been jam packed! It all began with the excitement of planning a tea party. It’s Di’s and Fred’s birthday across the next week and what better way to relinquish the boredom of the train journey than to throw a party and get rid of our excess food – two birds, one stone.

So before I was even onto my second cup of coffee of the day Rihanna was getting herself extremely excited about; party games, decorations and music, while Rosemary was given the important task of catering manager. Of course, Diana and I contributed to the planning, but at a much slower rate. however, by lunchtime we had the chain mails made; a most satisfactory effort if I do say so myself.

And you thought that was the day’s highlight? Alas not, we were then greeted by squeals of delight when, after a station stop, one of the Canadians bought some flowers for his wifey. I think he may have mistaken this train for the Orient Express and is trying to make up.

From here on in, you know a bit of nail painting, listening to some Gregory Porter, some noodles (not mashed potato) for tea, followed by a walk to the dining cart; where we did not actually buy anything but just took a photo…

Rock n roll and the best is yet to come, honest! Tonight is movie night. My machine has been charged up, the mixer has been purchased and the vodka kindly donated by John. Bring it on 🙂

Aha, I’m back! Unfortunately the movie night has yet to happen, (if at all), yet we’ve been busy crafting bees making cards (and envelopes!) for the celebrations. better still, there’s a passy the parcel thang been going on too. Tomorrow is gonna be a good day.

Trans-Mongolian railway – day 2 of 5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by houseofwendytravels

It’s 3.43pm on Thursday afternoon and everyone’s spirits are high following a 25 minute stop off at a station and a multitude of food sellers. From pastries, cucumbers, tomatoes, smoked fish, potatoes and blinis; our coach has filled their boots on local fare – a refreshing change from noodles!

Today has been a long day. After awakening at 8am (yep, I had an alcohol free evening), each hour that has gone by has seemed to last a life time. Despite games of ‘Uno’, Diana drawing caricatures, magazines, snoozes intersected with chocolates, Vegemite and mashed potato for lunch (I thought I had bought noodles!), each time we checked the time only an hour had passed, but we have maybe hit the half way point. Just Friday and Saturday to get through as we arrive in Mongolia Sunday early morning. I can easily see why people turn to drinking copious amounts of vodka to escape the boredom 😉

Trans-Mongolian railway – day 1 of 5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by houseofwendytravels

Today it’s Wednesday at 7.17pm and I’ve been on board now for nearly a day; only four more to go, and I’ve settled in quite nicely. Our ‘apartment’ is relatively compact, however, it helps that I’ve been paired up with Diana (our tour guide) and we have a four bed for just the two of us.

We boarded at 9.35 yesterday evening and last night was mostly a blur. Before even getting unpacked my bottle of tempranillo was opened, followed swiftly by my Putin vodka. In true Russian style we drank it neat and Diana, Di and I were up until the early hours putting the world to rights. Needless to say I did not rise until after midday and my provisions of water are quickly being depleted. What’s more, my striped sweatshirt got a Pollock style makeover after the two plastic glasses I took from my hotel room leaked red wine all down the front of it; that’s what happens when you take things you shouldn’t from the hotel!

Dinner has just been consumed, a veritable banquet of bread, cheese, olives, stuffed peppers and salami; I could have just been to Fenwicks’ deli. The Adelaide gals have just sampled their first freeze dried meals too; lamb tagine, stir fry and chicken curry – we have got it all going on here. I am so very pleased I stocked up at the supermarket before boarding as the dinning cart is apparently very expensive and not very tasty. My only regret is that I only bought one bottle of vino…

Freeze dried from Oz…

Supermarket shopping was quite a treat, luckily Diana accompanied us to keep us on the right track. I bought three bags of food, three packets of cigarettes, one bottle of wine and vodka all for the paltry sum of £60. I was quite amazed by how many brands they stocked, I could have bought Andrex toilet paper had I so desired.

I’m not sure where in Russia we are, we past ‘Perm’ some hours ago, but I know we have another three nights sleep before we arrive in Mongolia and can get showered! On that lovely note, I think I’ll get back to my book and my fizzy water.