28.10.07.
8.35AM...TRAIN PULLED IN AT BEIJENG STATION.
9.00AM...TAXI TO HOSTEL.
9.45AM...BOOKED TWIN ROOM ENSUITE.
10.00AM...EGG/TOMATO ON TOAST/COFFEE.
10.45AM...SHOWER/SHAVE...WONDERFUL.
11.55AM...BEER...VERY WONDERFUL.
2.00PM...WALKED THE STREETS OUTSIDE OUR HOSTEL...FOOD STALLS...BAG SELLERS.
4.00PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS...WEATHER GONE COLD...WATCHED A ANIMATED FILM ABOUT A RAT BECOMING A TOP CHEF IN PARIS...WORTH A LOOK!
6.00PM...BURGER AND CHIPS...YUK...BANANA PANCAKE...PASSABLE.
7.10PM...TOILET LEAKING IN ROOM.
7.20PM...CHANGED ROOM.
7.40PM...HEATER NOT WORKING.
8.00PM...CHANGED ROOM AGAIN!...MADE SURE ALL WAS OK BEFORE WE SHIFTED BAGS AGAIN.
8.40PM...WENT OUT TO SEE IF I COULD FIND BAR WHERE VILLA/BOLTON MATCH ON...NU STAYED IN WITH BRANDY AND COKE.
9.10PM...AT ANOTHER HOSTEL THAT HAD SKY TV...BUT COULDN'T GET MATCH ON 'CAUSE OF WEATHER...YEAH RIGHT!
9.20PM...SPOKE WITH TWO ALRIGHT GUYS...ISRAELI AND AUSSIE...BIT OF A DEEP CONVERSATION AT TIMES...ENJOYED IT THOUGH...THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT I WAS GAY!...IS IT THE WAY I WALK?...WANTED TO TAKE ME DANCING!
10.30PM...WALKED BACK TO HOSTEL.
10.40PM...NU STILL AWAKE...DRINKING BRANDY AND WATCHING SOME DANCE PROG.
11.10PM...GOOD NIGHT!
29.10.07.
8.30AM...WOKE...COFFEE.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...EGG TOASTED SANDWICH/COFFEE...BRIAN HYLAND MUSIC PLAYING...NOT HEARD FOR YEARS.
10.30AM...HAILED TAXI TO TAKE US TO VIETNAM EMBASSY FOR VISAS.
11.10AM...FILLED IN FORMS...PAID DEPOSIT...PAY REST ON COLLECTION ON WEDNESDAY.
12.05PM...VIETNAM AIRLINES OFFICE CLOSED TILL 1.30PM...OUCH.
12.20PM...KEMPSKI HOTEL...BIT WELL TO DO...BUSINESS FOLK EVERYWHERE...NU...ROAST BEEF ON FRENCH BREAD...ME...CHEESE AND HAM ON FRENCH BREAD...LARGE COFFEE FOR ME...NU ON THE LAGER!...FOLLOWED BY FANCY PANTS CAKE!...ON THE WAY WE WERE SAYING HOW WE GOTTA STOP SPENDING SO MUCH...CUT OUR CLOTH ETC...NOW HERE WE ARE SPENDING TWO NIGHTS KIP ON POSH SARNIES!
1.40PM...TAXI.
2.10PM...HAVING A BEER...LISTENING TO BBC WORLD.
3.30PM...NU ENQUIRED ABOUT CHIPS...CHEF NOT ON SITE AT MO...OH!
4.10PM...NU STAYING PUT...I'M OFF ON A MISSION TO FIND PARACETEMOL.
4.50PM...MISSION COMPLETED...THOUGH IT TOOK 3 STOREYS OF A STORE AND MUCH ANIMATED WAFFLE.
5,40PM...HAD A GLORIOUS MEAL...RICE/CHICKEN/MUSHROOM/PEPPERS/ONION IN A TASTY SAUCE...AWESOME!
8.00PM...WAFFLING WITH FELLOW WAFFLERS...LAUNDRY RETURNED...WHITE POWDER MARKS EVERYWHERE!
SEALED WITH A KISS.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Saturday, 27 October 2007
thirteenth...tibetan dispair
24.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE...THOUGH A HARDLY SLEPT...PARACETMOL AND COFFEE.
8.30AM...TEPID SHOWER.
9.00AM...HEAD FOR BREAKFAST...FIFTH FLOOR...ARE THEY TRYINGH TO KILL US?!...POTATO...OMELLETTE...BACON...COFFEE...NOT BAD.
10.30AM...JOKHANG PALACE...VERY COLOURFUL AND INTERESTING...STOOD SINCE 700AD...THE GUIDE VERY INFORMATIVE...ROOMS/CANDLES/DRAPES GALORE...BUT ONE THING HIT ME...ALL THE POOR PEOPLE COME TO THE CITY TO PAY THERE RESPECTS AND GIVE WHAT LITTLE MONEY THEY HAVE...THE BUDD MONKS COME ROUND COLLECTING IT...I RECKON THEY HAVE A GOOD OLD KNEES UP WITH ALL THAT DOSH...THE SMELL WAS PRETTY AWFUL...THEY BURN YAK BUTTER...SMELLED LIKE AN ABATTOIR.
12.15PM...POTALA PALACE...TOO MANY STEPS...SO WE FOUND A BENCH AND WAITED FOR THE GUIDE AND POLISH COUPLE...THIS IS WHERE THE DIM LAMA STAYED WHEN HE WAS LAST IN TOWN.
3.00PM...LEGS ACHING...TIME TO EAT...SLIGHTLY HUNGRY.
3.15PM...TRYING SOME TIBETAN CUISINE...NOT RECOMMENDED.
3.45PM...DON'T BOTHER WITH PIZZA EITHER...NU HAD TUNA SARNIES...THEY'RE GOING IN THE BIN AS WELL...ARE THE TIBETANS GOING TO FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE RUSSIANS AND ITALIANS...PROBABLY!
4.00PM...TRYING SOME TIBETAN CHEESE...NOT RECOMMENDED.
5.00PM...BOOKED TICKETS TO FLY TO KUNMING...THEN DECIDED WE'D TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN BACK TO BEIJENG...WHAT A NIGHTMARE...THEN ON TO HANOI...NOW WE HAVE GOTTA TRY AND GET OUR MONEY BACK ON OUR FLIGHTS.
7.00PM...CAN HAVE MONEY BACK...LESS 10%...OUCH...OK.
8.00PM...BOUGHT BOTTLE OF BRANDY...QUID 25P...SUPPING IT SLOWLY...BUT THOROUGHLY.
9.00PM...POLISH COUPLE KNOCK ON DOOR...EXPLAINED EVERYTHING...SO WE ARE ABOUT 30 QUID DOWN...BUT ITS BETTER WE TAKE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...BECAUSE ITS EASIER TO GET TO HANOI THAT WAY.
25.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE...NEED JUICE.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...BREAKIE...EGGS ON TOAST...COFFEE.
10.30AM...REFUND ON AIR TICKETS...LESS 10 PERCENT...OUCH!
11.20AM...BOUGHT TRAIN TICKETS FOR BEIJENG...HARD SLEEP...MIDDLE BUNKS...1568 YUAN FOR BOTH.
12.25PM...SUPPLIES FOR 48 HOUR TRAIN JOURNEY...BANANAS/LIPTONS ICE TEA.
2.00PM...BACK AT YAK HOTEL...WEATHER HOT...ROOM STUFFY...NOT THE BEST HOTEL IN LHASA.
3.00PM...SERA MONASTERY...DON'T BOTHER...IT STINKS...BURNING YAK BUTTER EVERYWHERE...DIRTY PEOPLE BRUSHING/PUSHING PASSED YOU.
5.00PM...WENT FOR A MEAL...DIDN'T EAT IT...BUT NOT THAT HUNGRY NOW.
OVERALL VIEW.
Tibet...only if you need to go...go.Its dirty and smelly.They can't cook.The people from the rural areas only wash once a year...some holy day!Tibetan people will rip you off something rotten.The city of Lhasa is surrounded by mountains and the scenery is wonderful,but the people let themselves and the place down.Also theYak hotel is a grubby hole.By far the place i have enjoyed the least...roll on Vietnam!
9.00PM...COULDN'T SLEEP...WENT FOR A BEER...FOLLOWED BY A WHISKEY...THERE I WAS HALF A DOZEN TIBETANS AND ME...WENT TO PAY AND THEY HAD PAID MY BILL!?...SHOULD I CHANGE MY OVERALL VIEW?
26.10.07.
6.00AM...EARLY RISE...WARM SHOWER...HEAD NOT GOOD.
7.00AM...COFEE...COFFEE...COFFEE!
7.30AM...IN BUS ON WAY TO TRAIN STATION.
8.25AM...ON TRAIN.
9.00AM...ASLEEP.
12.05PM...WOKE.
12.30PM...TRYING TO SORT OUT WHATS BEST TO DO...GOT IN A MESS WITH VISAS...GOT 2 WEEKS TO KILL BEFORE VIETNAM VISA KICKS IN...MADE A TOTAL COCK UP...SO BEIJENG HERE WE COME TO HOPEFULLY GET OUR VISA DATED CHANGED.
6.00PM...SITTING ON BUNK...BORED...MY HEAD IN A MESS...OR IS THAT...MY HAIR IN A MESS...NU NOT CONCERNED!
27.10.07.
JUST WANNA SLEEP THIS DAY AWAY...STOMACH AND 'OTHER' NOT IN A HAPPY STATE...TIRED AND BORED...THERES ONLY SO MUCH SCENERY YOU CAN LOOK AT...SHARING ACOMPARMENT WITH FIVE WOMEN[NU INCLUDED]...ITS NON STOP CHINESE CHATTER...UNCOMFORTABLE AND ACHY...THE SMELL OF NOODLE DISHES IS HORRIBLE...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...ONLY EATEN AN ORANGE.
LOVIN' EVERY MINUTE?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.00AM...WOKE...THOUGH A HARDLY SLEPT...PARACETMOL AND COFFEE.
8.30AM...TEPID SHOWER.
9.00AM...HEAD FOR BREAKFAST...FIFTH FLOOR...ARE THEY TRYINGH TO KILL US?!...POTATO...OMELLETTE...BACON...COFFEE...NOT BAD.
10.30AM...JOKHANG PALACE...VERY COLOURFUL AND INTERESTING...STOOD SINCE 700AD...THE GUIDE VERY INFORMATIVE...ROOMS/CANDLES/DRAPES GALORE...BUT ONE THING HIT ME...ALL THE POOR PEOPLE COME TO THE CITY TO PAY THERE RESPECTS AND GIVE WHAT LITTLE MONEY THEY HAVE...THE BUDD MONKS COME ROUND COLLECTING IT...I RECKON THEY HAVE A GOOD OLD KNEES UP WITH ALL THAT DOSH...THE SMELL WAS PRETTY AWFUL...THEY BURN YAK BUTTER...SMELLED LIKE AN ABATTOIR.
12.15PM...POTALA PALACE...TOO MANY STEPS...SO WE FOUND A BENCH AND WAITED FOR THE GUIDE AND POLISH COUPLE...THIS IS WHERE THE DIM LAMA STAYED WHEN HE WAS LAST IN TOWN.
3.00PM...LEGS ACHING...TIME TO EAT...SLIGHTLY HUNGRY.
3.15PM...TRYING SOME TIBETAN CUISINE...NOT RECOMMENDED.
3.45PM...DON'T BOTHER WITH PIZZA EITHER...NU HAD TUNA SARNIES...THEY'RE GOING IN THE BIN AS WELL...ARE THE TIBETANS GOING TO FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE RUSSIANS AND ITALIANS...PROBABLY!
4.00PM...TRYING SOME TIBETAN CHEESE...NOT RECOMMENDED.
5.00PM...BOOKED TICKETS TO FLY TO KUNMING...THEN DECIDED WE'D TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN BACK TO BEIJENG...WHAT A NIGHTMARE...THEN ON TO HANOI...NOW WE HAVE GOTTA TRY AND GET OUR MONEY BACK ON OUR FLIGHTS.
7.00PM...CAN HAVE MONEY BACK...LESS 10%...OUCH...OK.
8.00PM...BOUGHT BOTTLE OF BRANDY...QUID 25P...SUPPING IT SLOWLY...BUT THOROUGHLY.
9.00PM...POLISH COUPLE KNOCK ON DOOR...EXPLAINED EVERYTHING...SO WE ARE ABOUT 30 QUID DOWN...BUT ITS BETTER WE TAKE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...BECAUSE ITS EASIER TO GET TO HANOI THAT WAY.
25.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE...NEED JUICE.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...BREAKIE...EGGS ON TOAST...COFFEE.
10.30AM...REFUND ON AIR TICKETS...LESS 10 PERCENT...OUCH!
11.20AM...BOUGHT TRAIN TICKETS FOR BEIJENG...HARD SLEEP...MIDDLE BUNKS...1568 YUAN FOR BOTH.
12.25PM...SUPPLIES FOR 48 HOUR TRAIN JOURNEY...BANANAS/LIPTONS ICE TEA.
2.00PM...BACK AT YAK HOTEL...WEATHER HOT...ROOM STUFFY...NOT THE BEST HOTEL IN LHASA.
3.00PM...SERA MONASTERY...DON'T BOTHER...IT STINKS...BURNING YAK BUTTER EVERYWHERE...DIRTY PEOPLE BRUSHING/PUSHING PASSED YOU.
5.00PM...WENT FOR A MEAL...DIDN'T EAT IT...BUT NOT THAT HUNGRY NOW.
OVERALL VIEW.
Tibet...only if you need to go...go.Its dirty and smelly.They can't cook.The people from the rural areas only wash once a year...some holy day!Tibetan people will rip you off something rotten.The city of Lhasa is surrounded by mountains and the scenery is wonderful,but the people let themselves and the place down.Also theYak hotel is a grubby hole.By far the place i have enjoyed the least...roll on Vietnam!
9.00PM...COULDN'T SLEEP...WENT FOR A BEER...FOLLOWED BY A WHISKEY...THERE I WAS HALF A DOZEN TIBETANS AND ME...WENT TO PAY AND THEY HAD PAID MY BILL!?...SHOULD I CHANGE MY OVERALL VIEW?
26.10.07.
6.00AM...EARLY RISE...WARM SHOWER...HEAD NOT GOOD.
7.00AM...COFEE...COFFEE...COFFEE!
7.30AM...IN BUS ON WAY TO TRAIN STATION.
8.25AM...ON TRAIN.
9.00AM...ASLEEP.
12.05PM...WOKE.
12.30PM...TRYING TO SORT OUT WHATS BEST TO DO...GOT IN A MESS WITH VISAS...GOT 2 WEEKS TO KILL BEFORE VIETNAM VISA KICKS IN...MADE A TOTAL COCK UP...SO BEIJENG HERE WE COME TO HOPEFULLY GET OUR VISA DATED CHANGED.
6.00PM...SITTING ON BUNK...BORED...MY HEAD IN A MESS...OR IS THAT...MY HAIR IN A MESS...NU NOT CONCERNED!
27.10.07.
JUST WANNA SLEEP THIS DAY AWAY...STOMACH AND 'OTHER' NOT IN A HAPPY STATE...TIRED AND BORED...THERES ONLY SO MUCH SCENERY YOU CAN LOOK AT...SHARING ACOMPARMENT WITH FIVE WOMEN[NU INCLUDED]...ITS NON STOP CHINESE CHATTER...UNCOMFORTABLE AND ACHY...THE SMELL OF NOODLE DISHES IS HORRIBLE...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...ONLY EATEN AN ORANGE.
LOVIN' EVERY MINUTE?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
twelfth....tibetan air.
22.10.07.
8.30am...WOKE...CUPPA COFFEE.
10.00AM...STILL IN BED.
10.10AM...KNOCK ON DOOR...POLISH COUPLE...WANT US TO COME TO RECEPTION TO DISCUSS TIBET.
10.30AM...RECEPTION...THEY STILL DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE PERMITS...GOTTA COME BACK AT 5.00PM.
11.15AM...BACON/EGG SARNIE...NU HAD PORRIDGE WITH FRUIT.
12.05PM...ATM...SUPERMARKET.
12.55PM...ATTEMPTING TO READ PAPERBACK I HAVE PURLOINED FROM GUESTHOUSE LIBRARY.
3.30PM...STARTED TAKING TABS FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS.
3.50PM...WAITING FOR SPAG BOL.
5.00PM...WE HAVE PERMITS.
5.45PM...PAY AN INDECENT FEE TO GO TO TIBET.
7.00PM...SITTING WITH POLISH COUPLE...OUR TRAVEL COMPANIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
8.15PM...HAVING SWEET/SOUR PORK...BOTTLE OF RED.
9.20PM...TOLD RECEPTION TO GIVE US A CALL AT 4.45AM...TAXI AT 5.50AM...FLY AT 7.50AM.
9.40PM...OFF TO BED.
23.10.07.
4.45AM...EARLY MORNING KNOCK...LAY FOR NEXT 15 MINS.
5.00AM...SITTING ON SIDE OF BED.
5.10AM...SHOWER.
5.35AM...PACKED.
5.45AM...WAITING FOR TAXI.
6.30AM...AIRPORT.
6.55AM...FOUND A COPY OF SUNDAY MAIL...1ST ENGLISH PAPER I'VE SEEN IN 5 WEEKS.
7.50AM...FLYING.
8.20AM...FOOD SERVED ON PLANE AWFUL...LUCKILY WE'D BOUGHT SOME CRACKERS AND CHEESE WITH US.
9.55AM...LANDED...VERY PLEASANT FLIGHT...NEWISH PLANE...PLENTY LEG ROOM.
10.20AM...COLLECTED BAGS...WOMAN GUIDE WAITING TO TAKE US TO LLASA TOWN CENTRE AND HOTEL.
10.30AM...BOUGHT OXYGEN...NOT FEELING TO GOOD...FEEL DIZZY.
11.40AM...ARRIVED AT HOTEL...NOT FEELING TO GOOD...THIN AIR NOT OBLIGING.
12.20PM...FELL ASLEEP.
3.30PM...WOKE.
4.05PM...SITTING IN TIBET CAFE WITH LOCAL BEER...TALLEST BOTTLE...SMALLEST GLASS...NU HAD A FLASK OF TEA...BUT AS PUSHED CORK LID INTO FAR...OH DEAR...INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT!
4.25PM...EATING GALLYFAN[MIGHT BE SPELT DIFFERENT]...MEAT...SPUD...RICE...RAW SHREDDED CARROT...IN SOME GRAVY...WENT DOWN WELL...UNSURE OF MEAT...NU NOT THAT SMITTEN.
5.30PM...BACK AT HOTEL YAK...HAVING A BEER IN TERRACE CAFE...DON'T FEEL TO GOOD AGAIN.
6.10PM...BOOKED FLIGHT TICKETS TO KUMNING FOR THE 26TH OCT...WAS GONNA TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...BUT FLYING TO KUMNING SHOULD BE CHEAPER?
6.55PM...BACK IN ROOM...HEADACHEY...JUST LYING ON BED.
THE LESS WE KNOW...THE MORE WE ACHIEVE.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.30am...WOKE...CUPPA COFFEE.
10.00AM...STILL IN BED.
10.10AM...KNOCK ON DOOR...POLISH COUPLE...WANT US TO COME TO RECEPTION TO DISCUSS TIBET.
10.30AM...RECEPTION...THEY STILL DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE PERMITS...GOTTA COME BACK AT 5.00PM.
11.15AM...BACON/EGG SARNIE...NU HAD PORRIDGE WITH FRUIT.
12.05PM...ATM...SUPERMARKET.
12.55PM...ATTEMPTING TO READ PAPERBACK I HAVE PURLOINED FROM GUESTHOUSE LIBRARY.
3.30PM...STARTED TAKING TABS FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS.
3.50PM...WAITING FOR SPAG BOL.
5.00PM...WE HAVE PERMITS.
5.45PM...PAY AN INDECENT FEE TO GO TO TIBET.
7.00PM...SITTING WITH POLISH COUPLE...OUR TRAVEL COMPANIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
8.15PM...HAVING SWEET/SOUR PORK...BOTTLE OF RED.
9.20PM...TOLD RECEPTION TO GIVE US A CALL AT 4.45AM...TAXI AT 5.50AM...FLY AT 7.50AM.
9.40PM...OFF TO BED.
23.10.07.
4.45AM...EARLY MORNING KNOCK...LAY FOR NEXT 15 MINS.
5.00AM...SITTING ON SIDE OF BED.
5.10AM...SHOWER.
5.35AM...PACKED.
5.45AM...WAITING FOR TAXI.
6.30AM...AIRPORT.
6.55AM...FOUND A COPY OF SUNDAY MAIL...1ST ENGLISH PAPER I'VE SEEN IN 5 WEEKS.
7.50AM...FLYING.
8.20AM...FOOD SERVED ON PLANE AWFUL...LUCKILY WE'D BOUGHT SOME CRACKERS AND CHEESE WITH US.
9.55AM...LANDED...VERY PLEASANT FLIGHT...NEWISH PLANE...PLENTY LEG ROOM.
10.20AM...COLLECTED BAGS...WOMAN GUIDE WAITING TO TAKE US TO LLASA TOWN CENTRE AND HOTEL.
10.30AM...BOUGHT OXYGEN...NOT FEELING TO GOOD...FEEL DIZZY.
11.40AM...ARRIVED AT HOTEL...NOT FEELING TO GOOD...THIN AIR NOT OBLIGING.
12.20PM...FELL ASLEEP.
3.30PM...WOKE.
4.05PM...SITTING IN TIBET CAFE WITH LOCAL BEER...TALLEST BOTTLE...SMALLEST GLASS...NU HAD A FLASK OF TEA...BUT AS PUSHED CORK LID INTO FAR...OH DEAR...INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT!
4.25PM...EATING GALLYFAN[MIGHT BE SPELT DIFFERENT]...MEAT...SPUD...RICE...RAW SHREDDED CARROT...IN SOME GRAVY...WENT DOWN WELL...UNSURE OF MEAT...NU NOT THAT SMITTEN.
5.30PM...BACK AT HOTEL YAK...HAVING A BEER IN TERRACE CAFE...DON'T FEEL TO GOOD AGAIN.
6.10PM...BOOKED FLIGHT TICKETS TO KUMNING FOR THE 26TH OCT...WAS GONNA TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...BUT FLYING TO KUMNING SHOULD BE CHEAPER?
6.55PM...BACK IN ROOM...HEADACHEY...JUST LYING ON BED.
THE LESS WE KNOW...THE MORE WE ACHIEVE.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Sunday, 21 October 2007
china calling...part three
20.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE...NOT FEELING TO BAD...NEED A SHAVE...NOW I FEEL BAD...HATE SHAVING...NEED COFFEE.
8.30AM...SHAVE SORTED...SHOWERED...DRESSED...LAUNDRY TO DO.
9.05AM...LAUNDRY IN.
9.30AM...ORDERED BANANA/CHOC PANCAKE AND COFFEE FOR BREAKIE.
10.00AM...THE TWO OLD BIRDS JOINED US...TINA AND EMMA.
11.00AM...ATM...NEED SOME DOSH.
11.30AM...BOOKED PANDA EXCURSION...70 YUAN EACH.
12.30PM...TWO PIGS HAVE JUST GONE RACING THRU...EVERYBODY REACHES FOR THERE CAMERAS.
1.30PM...LOOKING AT NET FOR HOTEL IN HANOI, VIETNAM.
2.30PM...BOOKED THE RITZ...ABOUT 20 QUID FOR 3 NIGHTS.
3.00PM...BEER REQUIRED...WELL THIRSTY.
3.10PM...OLD BIRDS JUST DEPARTED TO GO TO SOME OTHER PART OF CHINA...SAD REALLY...THEY WERE OK TO TALK TOO...SEE YOU SOON!?
4.00PM...STEAK SANDWICH FOR ME...TUNA SALAD FOR NU...PLUS CHIPS AND FRUIT...TO MUCH...40 YUAN...ABOUT 3 QUID.
6.00PM...NOT ALOT HAPPENING...JUST PEOPLE WATCHING...JUST HAD COMFIRMATION OF HOTEL BOOKING IN HANOI.
7.15PM...SPEAKING WITH AUSSIE COUPLE WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM TIBET...THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED...BOTH SUFFERED ALTITUDE SICKNESS...A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED?...GONNA GIVE US SOME ALTITUDE SICKNESS TABLETS...JUST GIVE ME A BOTTLE OF JACK D!
8.50PM...TALKING TO CHAP ABOUT GOING TO IRISH BAR TO WATCH VILLA/MAN U MATCH...STARTS AT 12.45AM...AFTER VILLA MATCH ITS THE RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL...BOOKED THE PANDAS FOR 7.40AM...IS THAT A LAME EXCUSE!?
10.00PM...WISH I HAD SAID YES...BUT MISSED THE BOAT[TAXI]...4 LADS HAVE GONE AND THERE WAS A SPACE FOR ME!...OUCH
10.15PM...THINK I'LL HAVE A BRANDY...INDECISIVE WILLIS...THATS ME!
21.10.07.
6.30AM...HUNGRY...BIT COLD...STAYED UP LATE TO CATCH FOOTIE RESULTS.
7.00AM...UP WE GET...SHOWER...ORANGE JUICE...JUST HEARD ENGLAND LOST AT RUGBY.
7.40AM...OFF TO SEE PANDAS.
8.10AM...PANDA CENTRE...ALL VERY NICE...CUTE PLAYFUL THINGS...EAT BAMBOO AND MORE BAMBOO...IS THIS ALL THEY DO?
11.30AM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...COFFEE AND BACON/EGG SARNIE.
12.10PM...CAME OVER ALL TIRED...CRASHED.
4.00PM...WOKE...SHOWERED.
4.40PM...SPICY STEAK SARNIE...ORANGE JUICE.
5.20PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW TRAVELLERS...GRAND PRIX ON AT MIDNIGHT...DON'T KNOW IF I'LL MAKE IT...TALKING ABUT ENGLANDS DEFEAT AT RUGBY AND PREM MATCHES...MEETING SOME REAL NICE PEOPLE...STARTED OUR ALTITUDE TABS...STILL NO CONFIRMATION WE GO ON TUESDAY...SILLY BUREAUCRACY...AS IF NU AND I ARE GONNA MAKE ANY TROUBLE!
7.00PM...CRASHED...DONT THINK I'VE RECOVERED FROM THIS MORNINGS TRIP.
12.00AM...GOT UP...WATCHED BRAZIL GP.
1.52AM...DAMN...LEW HAMILTON...1 POINT DIFF...UNLUCKY OR WHAT!
GREAT DAYS ARE THESE.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.00AM...WOKE...NOT FEELING TO BAD...NEED A SHAVE...NOW I FEEL BAD...HATE SHAVING...NEED COFFEE.
8.30AM...SHAVE SORTED...SHOWERED...DRESSED...LAUNDRY TO DO.
9.05AM...LAUNDRY IN.
9.30AM...ORDERED BANANA/CHOC PANCAKE AND COFFEE FOR BREAKIE.
10.00AM...THE TWO OLD BIRDS JOINED US...TINA AND EMMA.
11.00AM...ATM...NEED SOME DOSH.
11.30AM...BOOKED PANDA EXCURSION...70 YUAN EACH.
12.30PM...TWO PIGS HAVE JUST GONE RACING THRU...EVERYBODY REACHES FOR THERE CAMERAS.
1.30PM...LOOKING AT NET FOR HOTEL IN HANOI, VIETNAM.
2.30PM...BOOKED THE RITZ...ABOUT 20 QUID FOR 3 NIGHTS.
3.00PM...BEER REQUIRED...WELL THIRSTY.
3.10PM...OLD BIRDS JUST DEPARTED TO GO TO SOME OTHER PART OF CHINA...SAD REALLY...THEY WERE OK TO TALK TOO...SEE YOU SOON!?
4.00PM...STEAK SANDWICH FOR ME...TUNA SALAD FOR NU...PLUS CHIPS AND FRUIT...TO MUCH...40 YUAN...ABOUT 3 QUID.
6.00PM...NOT ALOT HAPPENING...JUST PEOPLE WATCHING...JUST HAD COMFIRMATION OF HOTEL BOOKING IN HANOI.
7.15PM...SPEAKING WITH AUSSIE COUPLE WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM TIBET...THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED...BOTH SUFFERED ALTITUDE SICKNESS...A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED?...GONNA GIVE US SOME ALTITUDE SICKNESS TABLETS...JUST GIVE ME A BOTTLE OF JACK D!
8.50PM...TALKING TO CHAP ABOUT GOING TO IRISH BAR TO WATCH VILLA/MAN U MATCH...STARTS AT 12.45AM...AFTER VILLA MATCH ITS THE RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL...BOOKED THE PANDAS FOR 7.40AM...IS THAT A LAME EXCUSE!?
10.00PM...WISH I HAD SAID YES...BUT MISSED THE BOAT[TAXI]...4 LADS HAVE GONE AND THERE WAS A SPACE FOR ME!...OUCH
10.15PM...THINK I'LL HAVE A BRANDY...INDECISIVE WILLIS...THATS ME!
21.10.07.
6.30AM...HUNGRY...BIT COLD...STAYED UP LATE TO CATCH FOOTIE RESULTS.
7.00AM...UP WE GET...SHOWER...ORANGE JUICE...JUST HEARD ENGLAND LOST AT RUGBY.
7.40AM...OFF TO SEE PANDAS.
8.10AM...PANDA CENTRE...ALL VERY NICE...CUTE PLAYFUL THINGS...EAT BAMBOO AND MORE BAMBOO...IS THIS ALL THEY DO?
11.30AM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...COFFEE AND BACON/EGG SARNIE.
12.10PM...CAME OVER ALL TIRED...CRASHED.
4.00PM...WOKE...SHOWERED.
4.40PM...SPICY STEAK SARNIE...ORANGE JUICE.
5.20PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW TRAVELLERS...GRAND PRIX ON AT MIDNIGHT...DON'T KNOW IF I'LL MAKE IT...TALKING ABUT ENGLANDS DEFEAT AT RUGBY AND PREM MATCHES...MEETING SOME REAL NICE PEOPLE...STARTED OUR ALTITUDE TABS...STILL NO CONFIRMATION WE GO ON TUESDAY...SILLY BUREAUCRACY...AS IF NU AND I ARE GONNA MAKE ANY TROUBLE!
7.00PM...CRASHED...DONT THINK I'VE RECOVERED FROM THIS MORNINGS TRIP.
12.00AM...GOT UP...WATCHED BRAZIL GP.
1.52AM...DAMN...LEW HAMILTON...1 POINT DIFF...UNLUCKY OR WHAT!
GREAT DAYS ARE THESE.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
china calling...part two
19.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE...FEEL ACHY...BUT HAPPY TO HAVE FINALLY SLEPT.
9.00AM...SHOWER...NEEDA SHAVE...BUT CANT BE BOTHERED...GOTTA BOOK TIBET...THEY NEED TO KNOW YOUR ITINARY FOR YOUR DURATION OF YOUR STAY...FUNNY LOT TIBETANS.
10.45AM...WAITING FOR FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST...MUG OF COFFEE JIST ARRIVED.
10.10AM...BREAKIE HERE...WITH MUSHROOM STIR FRY!...SPICY AND NICE...TOAST...EGG...BACON...DIET WILL HAVE TO WAIT!
10.50AM...NEEDA ANOTHER COFFEE.
12.05PM...ENQUIRE ABOUT TIBET TRIP...GOT OUR ITENARY IN ORDER...ABOUT 135 QIUD EACH...GOTTA GO BACK AT 5.PM CAUSE THE TIBET CHIEF DIM LLAMA IS ABOUT TO MEET WITH BUSHEY BABES AND THE CHINESE DONT APPROVE AND THEREFORE MIGHT NOT BE GIVING OUT VISAS.
1.00PM...OFF TO SUPERMARKET...NEED A FEW ITEMS.
1.30PM...SUPERMARKET...NO CHEESE IN SIGHT!
2.15PM...CHEMIST...NEED PARACETEMOL.
3.00PM...BACK AT SIMS GUEST HOUSE.
3.20PM...HAVING A BEER WITH TWO OLD BIRDS...BRAS...NUDISM.
5.00PM...CHECK AGAIN ABOUT TIBET...FILLED IN FORMS...GOTTA RETURN TOMORROW AT 4.PM FOR PAYMENT...ALL A BIT SLOW.
5.50PM...ORDER MISHROOM/VEG SOUP...FOLLOWED BY PORK RICE...FOLLOWED BY A BOTTLE OF WINE...CAMPO LARGO...WINE PROMOTION.
7.00PM...CHATTING AWAY HAPPILY WITH FELLOW WAFFLERS.
8.25PM...STILL WAFFLING.
9.00PM...OUT OF BLUE...TWO POLISH...BOY AND GIRL SAY'HI WE ARE GOING TO TIBET WITH YOU'.
9.25PM...DISCUSSING TIBET AT RECEPTION...BIT OF A PICKLE...NOW WE GO TO TIBET...TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...FLY TO HANOI...A WEEK AHEAD OF SCHEDULE... MONEY WISE ITS BETTER...I THINK.
10.25PM...BOTTLE OF WINE TO CELEBRATE?
11.40PM...OFF TO BED...TIPSY VIA RED...TWO BOTTLES GONE TO MY HEAD!
WHEREVER YOU ARE...WHATEVER YOU DO...RELY ON YOUR DREAMS
AND YOU'LL ALWAYS COME THRU.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.00AM...WOKE...FEEL ACHY...BUT HAPPY TO HAVE FINALLY SLEPT.
9.00AM...SHOWER...NEEDA SHAVE...BUT CANT BE BOTHERED...GOTTA BOOK TIBET...THEY NEED TO KNOW YOUR ITINARY FOR YOUR DURATION OF YOUR STAY...FUNNY LOT TIBETANS.
10.45AM...WAITING FOR FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST...MUG OF COFFEE JIST ARRIVED.
10.10AM...BREAKIE HERE...WITH MUSHROOM STIR FRY!...SPICY AND NICE...TOAST...EGG...BACON...DIET WILL HAVE TO WAIT!
10.50AM...NEEDA ANOTHER COFFEE.
12.05PM...ENQUIRE ABOUT TIBET TRIP...GOT OUR ITENARY IN ORDER...ABOUT 135 QIUD EACH...GOTTA GO BACK AT 5.PM CAUSE THE TIBET CHIEF DIM LLAMA IS ABOUT TO MEET WITH BUSHEY BABES AND THE CHINESE DONT APPROVE AND THEREFORE MIGHT NOT BE GIVING OUT VISAS.
1.00PM...OFF TO SUPERMARKET...NEED A FEW ITEMS.
1.30PM...SUPERMARKET...NO CHEESE IN SIGHT!
2.15PM...CHEMIST...NEED PARACETEMOL.
3.00PM...BACK AT SIMS GUEST HOUSE.
3.20PM...HAVING A BEER WITH TWO OLD BIRDS...BRAS...NUDISM.
5.00PM...CHECK AGAIN ABOUT TIBET...FILLED IN FORMS...GOTTA RETURN TOMORROW AT 4.PM FOR PAYMENT...ALL A BIT SLOW.
5.50PM...ORDER MISHROOM/VEG SOUP...FOLLOWED BY PORK RICE...FOLLOWED BY A BOTTLE OF WINE...CAMPO LARGO...WINE PROMOTION.
7.00PM...CHATTING AWAY HAPPILY WITH FELLOW WAFFLERS.
8.25PM...STILL WAFFLING.
9.00PM...OUT OF BLUE...TWO POLISH...BOY AND GIRL SAY'HI WE ARE GOING TO TIBET WITH YOU'.
9.25PM...DISCUSSING TIBET AT RECEPTION...BIT OF A PICKLE...NOW WE GO TO TIBET...TAKE HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIN TO BEIJENG...FLY TO HANOI...A WEEK AHEAD OF SCHEDULE... MONEY WISE ITS BETTER...I THINK.
10.25PM...BOTTLE OF WINE TO CELEBRATE?
11.40PM...OFF TO BED...TIPSY VIA RED...TWO BOTTLES GONE TO MY HEAD!
WHEREVER YOU ARE...WHATEVER YOU DO...RELY ON YOUR DREAMS
AND YOU'LL ALWAYS COME THRU.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Thursday, 18 October 2007
eleventh...china calling.
17.10.07...evening.
6.15PM...LEFT GUEST HOUSE...TAXI WAS MEANT TO ARRIVE AT 6.00PM!
7.00PM...AIRPORT...FLIGHT DELAYED BY 2 HOURS.
7.15PM...BREAD AND PAPRIKA SPREAD...NOT THE BEST MEAL.
7.45PM...WENT FOR BEER.
8.05PM...MONGO MAN SITS DOWN AT SAME TABLE...SLURPED CONTINUALLY THRU HIS NOODLE MEAL...THEN UPPED AND LEFT LEAVING CARTON AND CHOPSTICKS STROON OVER TABLE.
9.00PM...HAD A MAYO SAUSAGE SARNIE...DETERMINED TO SPEND MY LAST FEW TUGRIKS...BOUGHT A COUPLE OF CHOC BARS AS WELL...ALWAYS PLEASING TO THE EYE OF NUALA.
9.30PM...QUEUED FOR NEXT LEG OF OUR ASSAULT ON THE WORLD.
9.40PM...BAG CHECK...PASSPORT CHECK...TICKET CHECK.
9.55PM...WAITING FOR CALL TO FLY.
10.10PM...BOARDING PLANE.
10.30PM...WE ARE FLYING!
10.50PM...FREE TUNA SANDWICH WITH GLASS OF WINE.
11.45PM...LANDED BEIJENG AIRPORT...SO FAR SO GOOD.
18.10.07.
1.15AM...SITTING IN RESTAURANT...EATING PIZZA...DRINKING BEER.
3.45AM...STILL AWAKE...STILL DRINKING BEER.
6.00AM...QUEUED FOR CHECK IN.
7.00AM...ALL DONE...WAITING FOR CALL TO BOARD...OUR TICKETS SAY DOOR D...ACTUALLY DOOR H!
7.45AM...ENGINE ROARS INTO LIFE...THATS THE PLANES...NOT MINE...FELL ASLEEP.
9.25AM...WOKEN...BREAKFAST...HORRIBLE...BACK TO SLEEP.
10.30AM...LANDED.
11.10AM...GIRL WAITING TO TAKE US TO GUEST HOUSE.
12.10PM...ARRIVE AT GURST HOUSE...WOW...ITS A HAPPENING PLACE.
Sims cosy guest house is an oasis of everything you need.Behind iron gates down a bustling side street.If you tried to find it yourself,you'd have little chance.Books,net cafe,tv,pingpong,cafe,bar...music poor mind...plus there is a little white rabbit that weaves its way thru everyones legs!
12.25PM...ROOM OK...AIR CON...PLUG SOCKET...DIDN'T EXPECT...SO GOT LUCKY!
12.35PM...HAVING A BEER...CHATTING TO OTHER TRAVELLERS.
1.00PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT TIBET...NEPAL TO EXPENSIVE AND NOT WORTH IT 'CAUSE T EFFECTS OUR CHINESE VISA.
2.00PM...IN ROOM...LOOKING FOR TOWEL...ONLY GONE AND LEFT IT ON RADIATOR ON MONGO!
2.15PM...ON STREET...LOOKING TO BUY TOWEL.
2.30PM...BIG MARKET PLACE...SALMON COLOURED TOWEL...THAT'LL DO...15 YUAN...14.6 TO POUND.
3.10PM...BACK IN ROOM...CREAM CRACKERED.
3,40PM...SHOWERED...FEEL A BIT BETTER NOW...HUNGRY...HAVING A BRANDY.
4.10PM...WENT DOWN TO CAFE...PORK RICE AND SPARE RIBS...BANANA PANCAKE...52 YUAN FOR BOTH OF US...FATTIES WE ARE!
5.25PM...TIME FOR BED...SHATTERED!
IT JUST GETS BETTER!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
6.15PM...LEFT GUEST HOUSE...TAXI WAS MEANT TO ARRIVE AT 6.00PM!
7.00PM...AIRPORT...FLIGHT DELAYED BY 2 HOURS.
7.15PM...BREAD AND PAPRIKA SPREAD...NOT THE BEST MEAL.
7.45PM...WENT FOR BEER.
8.05PM...MONGO MAN SITS DOWN AT SAME TABLE...SLURPED CONTINUALLY THRU HIS NOODLE MEAL...THEN UPPED AND LEFT LEAVING CARTON AND CHOPSTICKS STROON OVER TABLE.
9.00PM...HAD A MAYO SAUSAGE SARNIE...DETERMINED TO SPEND MY LAST FEW TUGRIKS...BOUGHT A COUPLE OF CHOC BARS AS WELL...ALWAYS PLEASING TO THE EYE OF NUALA.
9.30PM...QUEUED FOR NEXT LEG OF OUR ASSAULT ON THE WORLD.
9.40PM...BAG CHECK...PASSPORT CHECK...TICKET CHECK.
9.55PM...WAITING FOR CALL TO FLY.
10.10PM...BOARDING PLANE.
10.30PM...WE ARE FLYING!
10.50PM...FREE TUNA SANDWICH WITH GLASS OF WINE.
11.45PM...LANDED BEIJENG AIRPORT...SO FAR SO GOOD.
18.10.07.
1.15AM...SITTING IN RESTAURANT...EATING PIZZA...DRINKING BEER.
3.45AM...STILL AWAKE...STILL DRINKING BEER.
6.00AM...QUEUED FOR CHECK IN.
7.00AM...ALL DONE...WAITING FOR CALL TO BOARD...OUR TICKETS SAY DOOR D...ACTUALLY DOOR H!
7.45AM...ENGINE ROARS INTO LIFE...THATS THE PLANES...NOT MINE...FELL ASLEEP.
9.25AM...WOKEN...BREAKFAST...HORRIBLE...BACK TO SLEEP.
10.30AM...LANDED.
11.10AM...GIRL WAITING TO TAKE US TO GUEST HOUSE.
12.10PM...ARRIVE AT GURST HOUSE...WOW...ITS A HAPPENING PLACE.
Sims cosy guest house is an oasis of everything you need.Behind iron gates down a bustling side street.If you tried to find it yourself,you'd have little chance.Books,net cafe,tv,pingpong,cafe,bar...music poor mind...plus there is a little white rabbit that weaves its way thru everyones legs!
12.25PM...ROOM OK...AIR CON...PLUG SOCKET...DIDN'T EXPECT...SO GOT LUCKY!
12.35PM...HAVING A BEER...CHATTING TO OTHER TRAVELLERS.
1.00PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT TIBET...NEPAL TO EXPENSIVE AND NOT WORTH IT 'CAUSE T EFFECTS OUR CHINESE VISA.
2.00PM...IN ROOM...LOOKING FOR TOWEL...ONLY GONE AND LEFT IT ON RADIATOR ON MONGO!
2.15PM...ON STREET...LOOKING TO BUY TOWEL.
2.30PM...BIG MARKET PLACE...SALMON COLOURED TOWEL...THAT'LL DO...15 YUAN...14.6 TO POUND.
3.10PM...BACK IN ROOM...CREAM CRACKERED.
3,40PM...SHOWERED...FEEL A BIT BETTER NOW...HUNGRY...HAVING A BRANDY.
4.10PM...WENT DOWN TO CAFE...PORK RICE AND SPARE RIBS...BANANA PANCAKE...52 YUAN FOR BOTH OF US...FATTIES WE ARE!
5.25PM...TIME FOR BED...SHATTERED!
IT JUST GETS BETTER!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
tenth...mong gone
15.10.07.
8.30AM...WOKE...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.40AM...HAD A TIDY UP AND A SEMI PACK READY FOR GER TRIP TOMORROW.
11.00AM...WENT TO WHAT HAD BECOME MY FAVOURITE CAFE.
11.10AM...NO EGGS!HOW CAN A CAFE BE A CAFE WITH NO EGGS?!...OK...STAY COOL.
11.45AM...ANOTHER CAFE...THOUGHT I'D ORDER A STEAK SANDWICH...WHAT!...NO STEAK!
11.55AM...ON OUR WAY AGAIN...GOTTA GO ACROSS TOWN TO IRISH BAR...ABSOLUTLY CERTAIN WE'LL GET A BREAKFAST THERE...BIT PRICEY MIND.
12.30PM...ARRIVE ...ORDER...WAITING.
12.50PM...BREAKFAST ARRIVE...OH...SAUSAGE LOOKS LAME...TOAST UNBUTTERED...MUSHROOMS AND EGG OK...BANANA MILKSHAKE OK.
2.05PM...WALKED BACK ACROSS TOWN TO STATE DEPARTMENT STORE...5 FLOORS...NU BROWSED EVERY ONE.
3.10PM...FOOD HALL...PROVISIONS REQUIRED FOR GER TRIP TOMORROW.
4.20PM...ON WAY BACK TO GUEST HOUSE VIA BOOK SHOP...NU EXCHANGED BOOK.
6.30PM...WENT FOR CZECH MEAL...PORK,CHIPS AND SALAD.
9.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...GETTING READY FOR DEPARTURE TOMORROW...HAVING A VODDY.
16.10.07.
7.15AM...UP EARLY...GOTTA VACATE ROOM BY 8.30AM.
7.30AM...COFFEE.
7.40AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...DRESSED AND PACKED.
8.40AM...CHECKED EMAIL.
9.30AM...IN BUS FOR JOURNEY TO GER.
11.00AM...ARRIVE IN SOME COLD MOUNTAINOUS PLACE.
11.15AM...SHOWN TO OUR GER[TENT]...ABOUT 100 YARDS IN FRONT OR 'OUR' FRONT DOOR WAS POOR OLD DOBBIN[HORSE] BEING SLAUGHTERED...OUR DINNER TONIGHT...THINK I'LL GO VEGGIE!
11.40AM...WENT FOR A WALK WITH COUPLE WE MET ON BUS...HILLY SURROUNDINGS.
1.00PM...BACK AT GER...SAT ON GRASS BANK WITH NU FREEZING MY WHAT ITS OFF!
2.00PM...LUNCHTIME...COW BEEF...RICE...ONIONS...PEPPERS...WARM TEA.
3.15PM...SITTING IN GER WONDERING HOW ANYONE WITH HALF A BRAIN WOULD WISH TO SPEND A NIGHT IN A COLD CLOTHED DOME WITH NO SHOWER OR WATER AND THE TOILET IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY!TO THINK WE PAID 30 QUID FOR THIS...MAD,MAD,TOTALLY MAD!
3.55PM...NU JOINS ME...SCARFED AND HUDDLED...WE HAD TO LAUGH...BARMPOTS THE PAIR OF US!
4.10PM...WENT AND HAD A BIT OF BANTER WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS WHILE MONGO CHAPPIE LIGHTS OUR FIRE.
4.50PM...BACK IN OUR GER...NU TAKING PICTURES FROM EVERY ANGLE AND NOW WITH FIRE WE ARE WARM...I HOPE THE WOOD DOESN'T BURN TO QUICKLY.
5.45PM...LET NU WIN AT CARDS...WELL WARM NOW...CHAP KEEPS COMING IN TO CHECK FIRE AND OCCASSIONLY BRING WOOD...WE NEED LOADS!
6.20PM...EVE MEAL ARRIVE...DIDN'T FANCY DOBBIN...SO HAD A CHEESE COB AND CHOC PICNIC BAR WE HAD LUCKILY BOUGHT ALONG WITH US.
8.30PM...IT WAS SO HOT I WAS DOWN TO MY UNDIES...IT WAS DRIPPING OFF ME...COULDN'T RELAX...LAY ON BED...THINK I EVENTUALLY FELL ASLEEP ABOUT 1.AM.
17.10.07.
7.00AM...WOKE FROZEN...FIRE DEAD...FELT DIRTY.
7.30AM...CHAP CAME IN TO RESTART FIRE.
8.00AM...GOT UP AND RAPIDLY DRESSED...SAT IN A DAZE.
8.30AM...PACKED...READY TO GO.
9.00AM...BREAKFAST...WEAK TEA...BREAD AND JAM...DRANK TEA...WASN'T HUNGRY.
9.45AM...WAITING FOR BUS TO TAKE US BACK TO ULAN BATOR...NEED SHAVE...NEED SHOWER.
11.00AM...BUS ARRIVE...ON WE GET...BIT OF A BUMPY RIDE BACK.
12.05PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...SHAVE/SHOWER...CLEAN UNDIES.
1.00PM...AT CZECH RESTAURANT...WAITING FOR A WELCOMING BEER...ORDERED CHICKEN SOUP...NU HAD BEEF NOODLE.
1.30PM...PORK ARRIVED WITH MASH SPUD...ORDERED CHIPS...NOT TO WORRY...FOOD IS FOOD...ORDERED ANOTHER BEER...WELL TIRED.
View of Mongolia.
Come to Mongolia if you get the chance.it's cheap and the people are mainly friendly.It's the country i have enjoyed the most.Accomadation clean,brakfast basic.Probably the wrong time of year to go to a ger.There are warmer months.The air is cold,the sun shines,clear blue skies.
3.30pm...HAD A LAST LOOK ROUND THE TOWN...BOUGHT SOME COBS FOR OUR OVERNIGHT STAY AT BEIJENG AIRPORT...BOOKED TAXI FOR 6.00PM.
MONG GONE,GONE...GONE!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
8.30AM...WOKE...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.40AM...HAD A TIDY UP AND A SEMI PACK READY FOR GER TRIP TOMORROW.
11.00AM...WENT TO WHAT HAD BECOME MY FAVOURITE CAFE.
11.10AM...NO EGGS!HOW CAN A CAFE BE A CAFE WITH NO EGGS?!...OK...STAY COOL.
11.45AM...ANOTHER CAFE...THOUGHT I'D ORDER A STEAK SANDWICH...WHAT!...NO STEAK!
11.55AM...ON OUR WAY AGAIN...GOTTA GO ACROSS TOWN TO IRISH BAR...ABSOLUTLY CERTAIN WE'LL GET A BREAKFAST THERE...BIT PRICEY MIND.
12.30PM...ARRIVE ...ORDER...WAITING.
12.50PM...BREAKFAST ARRIVE...OH...SAUSAGE LOOKS LAME...TOAST UNBUTTERED...MUSHROOMS AND EGG OK...BANANA MILKSHAKE OK.
2.05PM...WALKED BACK ACROSS TOWN TO STATE DEPARTMENT STORE...5 FLOORS...NU BROWSED EVERY ONE.
3.10PM...FOOD HALL...PROVISIONS REQUIRED FOR GER TRIP TOMORROW.
4.20PM...ON WAY BACK TO GUEST HOUSE VIA BOOK SHOP...NU EXCHANGED BOOK.
6.30PM...WENT FOR CZECH MEAL...PORK,CHIPS AND SALAD.
9.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...GETTING READY FOR DEPARTURE TOMORROW...HAVING A VODDY.
16.10.07.
7.15AM...UP EARLY...GOTTA VACATE ROOM BY 8.30AM.
7.30AM...COFFEE.
7.40AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...DRESSED AND PACKED.
8.40AM...CHECKED EMAIL.
9.30AM...IN BUS FOR JOURNEY TO GER.
11.00AM...ARRIVE IN SOME COLD MOUNTAINOUS PLACE.
11.15AM...SHOWN TO OUR GER[TENT]...ABOUT 100 YARDS IN FRONT OR 'OUR' FRONT DOOR WAS POOR OLD DOBBIN[HORSE] BEING SLAUGHTERED...OUR DINNER TONIGHT...THINK I'LL GO VEGGIE!
11.40AM...WENT FOR A WALK WITH COUPLE WE MET ON BUS...HILLY SURROUNDINGS.
1.00PM...BACK AT GER...SAT ON GRASS BANK WITH NU FREEZING MY WHAT ITS OFF!
2.00PM...LUNCHTIME...COW BEEF...RICE...ONIONS...PEPPERS...WARM TEA.
3.15PM...SITTING IN GER WONDERING HOW ANYONE WITH HALF A BRAIN WOULD WISH TO SPEND A NIGHT IN A COLD CLOTHED DOME WITH NO SHOWER OR WATER AND THE TOILET IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY!TO THINK WE PAID 30 QUID FOR THIS...MAD,MAD,TOTALLY MAD!
3.55PM...NU JOINS ME...SCARFED AND HUDDLED...WE HAD TO LAUGH...BARMPOTS THE PAIR OF US!
4.10PM...WENT AND HAD A BIT OF BANTER WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS WHILE MONGO CHAPPIE LIGHTS OUR FIRE.
4.50PM...BACK IN OUR GER...NU TAKING PICTURES FROM EVERY ANGLE AND NOW WITH FIRE WE ARE WARM...I HOPE THE WOOD DOESN'T BURN TO QUICKLY.
5.45PM...LET NU WIN AT CARDS...WELL WARM NOW...CHAP KEEPS COMING IN TO CHECK FIRE AND OCCASSIONLY BRING WOOD...WE NEED LOADS!
6.20PM...EVE MEAL ARRIVE...DIDN'T FANCY DOBBIN...SO HAD A CHEESE COB AND CHOC PICNIC BAR WE HAD LUCKILY BOUGHT ALONG WITH US.
8.30PM...IT WAS SO HOT I WAS DOWN TO MY UNDIES...IT WAS DRIPPING OFF ME...COULDN'T RELAX...LAY ON BED...THINK I EVENTUALLY FELL ASLEEP ABOUT 1.AM.
17.10.07.
7.00AM...WOKE FROZEN...FIRE DEAD...FELT DIRTY.
7.30AM...CHAP CAME IN TO RESTART FIRE.
8.00AM...GOT UP AND RAPIDLY DRESSED...SAT IN A DAZE.
8.30AM...PACKED...READY TO GO.
9.00AM...BREAKFAST...WEAK TEA...BREAD AND JAM...DRANK TEA...WASN'T HUNGRY.
9.45AM...WAITING FOR BUS TO TAKE US BACK TO ULAN BATOR...NEED SHAVE...NEED SHOWER.
11.00AM...BUS ARRIVE...ON WE GET...BIT OF A BUMPY RIDE BACK.
12.05PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...SHAVE/SHOWER...CLEAN UNDIES.
1.00PM...AT CZECH RESTAURANT...WAITING FOR A WELCOMING BEER...ORDERED CHICKEN SOUP...NU HAD BEEF NOODLE.
1.30PM...PORK ARRIVED WITH MASH SPUD...ORDERED CHIPS...NOT TO WORRY...FOOD IS FOOD...ORDERED ANOTHER BEER...WELL TIRED.
View of Mongolia.
Come to Mongolia if you get the chance.it's cheap and the people are mainly friendly.It's the country i have enjoyed the most.Accomadation clean,brakfast basic.Probably the wrong time of year to go to a ger.There are warmer months.The air is cold,the sun shines,clear blue skies.
3.30pm...HAD A LAST LOOK ROUND THE TOWN...BOUGHT SOME COBS FOR OUR OVERNIGHT STAY AT BEIJENG AIRPORT...BOOKED TAXI FOR 6.00PM.
MONG GONE,GONE...GONE!
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Monday, 15 October 2007
ninth...41ish going on 21 and a bit.
11.10.07.
9.45AM...KINDA WOKE...LAY AND DOZED...FEEL I'D BE COLD IF I STEPPED OUTA BED.
10.30AM...FEELING BRAVE...HEADED FOR SHOWER.
10.45AM...COFFEE.
11.15AM...SEARCHED FOR 'CAFE STUPOR' FOR BREAKFAST...NO LUCK...ENDED UP AT 'CHEZ BERNARD'...2 EGGS...BACON...HARD COLD TOAST...WOULDN'T GO THERE AGAIN...OH WELL.
12.20PM...WENT TO SEE A BUDDHIST TEMPLE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ULAN BATOR...GANDON TAGOTLIN MONASTORY...BOY WAS SHE TALL...SHEVA WAS HER NAME...RATTLED A FEW TINS.
2.00PM...MADE PHONE CALL TO MOTHER.
2.30PM...FINALLY GOT THRU TO MOTHER...ALLS WELL.
3.10PM...SUPERMARKET FOR WATER,CHEESE AND MILK.
4.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...NU'S LEG ACHING.
6.00PM...WENT TO IRISH BAR...NOT AS GOOD AS MONDAY EVE...STILL MY BELLY WAS CONTENT.
7.30PM...AT THE 'BRAU KHAN' HAVING A JIM BEAM.
9.30PM...WALKED BACK TO GUEST HOUSE...BBC NEWS 24...NU HIT THE SACK...ME KINDA THOUGHTFUL...BIRTHDAY HAPPY!
12.10.07.
8.30AM...WOKE...STOOD UP...BUT FELT SORT OF DIZY...NU WENT FOR SHOWER AND THEN MADE COFFEE...I LAY DOWN AGAIN.
11.00AM...GOT UP...HADN'T REALLY SLEPT...JUST DOZED...FEELING OK NOW.
11.15AM...SHOWERED.
11.45AM...COFFEE,BREAD AND CHEESE...NU WRITING CARDS...NOT SURE ABOUT TIBET...APPARENTLY AIR VERY THIN...I THINK I'M HAVING TROUBLE ADAPTING TO THE AIR HERE IN MONGOLIA...WE'LL HAVE TO SEE?
12.30PM...AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM[NOT THE NATIONAL,WE SAW THAT YESTERDAY]...QUID EACH TO GET IN...LOADSA STUFFED BIRDS AND ANIMALS...DINASAUR BONES...INSECTS ETC...ANOTHER OK WOW.
3.40PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WEATHER SUNNY...AIR COLD...NOT HELPING MY NOSE...MIGHT HAVE A VODDY...MIGHT NOT...PROBABLY WILL!
5.00PM...WENT FOR A MEAL...THOUGHT IT WAS KOREAN...BUT ACTUALLY MONGOLIAN...4 DIFFERENT MEATS...RICE...SPUD...BROCOLLI IN SOME SAUCE...ALSO HAD BOTTLE OF JP CHENET...FRENCH...WENT DOWN A TREAT...BEST MEAL YET.
7.30PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WANTED TO WATCH BBC NEWS 24...BUT SOME SQUARE EYED AUSSIE AS TAKEN OVER THE TV!!
In my endeavour to write the most boringest blog to date...please don't berate...my spelling and grammar is not so great!...concerning mongo cheese...it's got something...not in a mature way...it's not soft or hard...a bit like me...must be my age!...wish i could sent some thru the post...so you could try it on your toast!
13.10.07.
9.45AM...WOKE QUITE LATE...NU MADE COFFEE.
10.15AM...FINISHED OF BREAD AND CHEESE...HAD ENOUGH OF JAM.
11.10AM...SHOWERED.
11.55AM...WALKED TO SUKHBATOOR SQUARE...SEARCHING FOR MODERN ART MUSEUM.
12.40PM...HAVING CHIPS,BOILED EGG AND MONGO BEER IN MONGO CAFE.
1.45PM...FOUND MOD ART MUSEUM...80p EACH FOR ENTRANCE...VERY COLOURFUL...2 FLOORS OF PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES...A LITTLE BIGGER WOW THAN THE LAST 2 MUSEUMS.
4.00PM...SEARCHED FOR'CAFE STUPOR'...TOTALLY ON THE WRONG ROAD...BUT THINK WE KNOW WHERE IT IS NOW HAVING SPOKEN WITH AN AUSSIE WOMAN...TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.
4.35PM...ARRIVED ART MONGO FAST FOOD RESTAURANT...PORK AND RICE...6800 TUGRIKS FOR BOTH...INCLUDING DRINK...YESTERDAYS MEAL WAS 42000...SO GONE CHEAP TODAY...NU BIT INTO WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A WATER CHESTNUT...ACTUALLY A CLOVER OF GARLIC!
6.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...STAYED UP LATE...WANTED TO WATCH ENGLAND GAME...DIDN'T START TILL 10PM...MISSED 1ST HALF'CAUSE SOME SWEDISH GIRLS WERE WATCHING A VIDEO...SOMETHING ABOUT MARY!...ANYWAY WATCHED 2ND HALF WITH SQUARE EYED AUSSIE...WE WERE 3 UP...SO IT SORT OF CAME AND WENT...ENGLAND SEEMED TO PLAY OUT THE 2ND HALF...HAPPY IN THE KNOWLEDGE THEY WERE 3 UP...NEVER BEEN THAT KEEN ON THE SWEDES!
14.10.07.
10.00AM...WOKE UP...NON TO ENERGETICALLY...LAY FOR ANOTHER 45 MINS.
10.50AM...FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOWER.
11.05AM...COFFEE.
12.05PM...HEADED FOR BREAKFAST AT A LITTLE CAFE WE HAD STROLLED PASSED A COUPLE OF TIMES...THOUGHT WE WOULD VENTURE OVER THE STEP TODAY.
12.40PM...NOT DISAPPOINTED...2 FRIED EGGS WITH BACON TOASTED SANDWICH AND ORANGE JUICE...YUMMY.
2.00PM...POST OFFICE...STAMPS TO BUY...CARDS TO POST...NU ENQUIRED ABOUT A SHOW...WOMAN ON INFO DESK TOLD US A MONGOLIAN FOLK EVENING...TOLD US DURECTIONS...SO OF WE STROLLED TO PURCHASE TICKETS...IT WAS NEXT TO THE SEOUL RESTAURANT...ALL VERY POSH...ITS WHERE ALL THE SO CALLED WORLD STARS COME TO EAT WHEN THEY ARE IN TOWN.
2.45PM...WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BUY TICKETS...WE COULD PAY ON THE DOOR...WE SAT DOWN IN THE SEOUL RESTAURANT...WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA GOING ON UPSTAIRS...HAD A BEER...NU SUGGESTED I GO ALONE TO SUPERMARKET AS HER LEG WAS NONE TO GOOD.
3.55PM...OFF I STROLLED.
4.20PM...AT THE SUPERMARKET...IT WASN'T THE ONE I HAD FREQUENTED BEFORE...DIDN'T HAVE OUR MONGO CHEESE!...I WAS DOWN THE BOOZE ISLE...EYEING THE WHISKEY...I FELT HOT SO I WENT TO UNZIP MY JACKET...IT BROKE...THERES ME FIDDLING WITH MY ZIP...I LOOK TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS A SECURUTY GUARD WATCHING ME...I PROCEED TO TAKE MY JACKET OFF OVER MY HEAD WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY...MY HEAD FINALLY REAPPEARED AND I TURNED AND SMILED AT HIM...HE WATCHED ME ALL THE WAY TO THE CHECKOUTS.
4.55PM...HEADING BACK TO NU.
5.10PM...BACK AT RESTAURANT TELLING TALE OF WOE...ORDERED 6 COURSE MEAL FOR 14 DOLLARS.
5.45PM...RAPIDLY SCOFFED...FILLET STEAK...SALAD...WODERFUL SOUP...FRUIT DISH...CAKE...CUPPA TEA...NU HELPED!
5.55PM...PAID BILL AND WENT MEXT DOOR FOR SHOW.
6.00PM...SHOW NOT ON...CHAPPIE THERE SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS...THAT WOMAN ON THE TOURIST INFO DESK WAS ABOUT AS MUCH USE AS WAKING UP TO FIND SEAGULL SPILLAGE ON YOUR TENT WHEN CAMPING IN DORSET SOMETIME IN MARCH.
6.10PM...STARTED WALKING BACK TO GUEST HOUSE.
7.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WAITUNG ON CUPPA TEA SHE SAID SHE WAS MAKING ABOUT 30 MINS AGO...GUESS SHE'S GOT WAFFLING OR SOMETHING...WELL THIRSTY.
7.10PM...NU BACK...BUT NO TEA...SHE FORGOT!
7.13PM...OFF SHE GOES AGAIN.
7.20PM...I HAVE A CUPPA TEA.
7.30PM...ZIP MENDED!
STILL STROLLING
BYE FOR NOWZ.
9.45AM...KINDA WOKE...LAY AND DOZED...FEEL I'D BE COLD IF I STEPPED OUTA BED.
10.30AM...FEELING BRAVE...HEADED FOR SHOWER.
10.45AM...COFFEE.
11.15AM...SEARCHED FOR 'CAFE STUPOR' FOR BREAKFAST...NO LUCK...ENDED UP AT 'CHEZ BERNARD'...2 EGGS...BACON...HARD COLD TOAST...WOULDN'T GO THERE AGAIN...OH WELL.
12.20PM...WENT TO SEE A BUDDHIST TEMPLE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ULAN BATOR...GANDON TAGOTLIN MONASTORY...BOY WAS SHE TALL...SHEVA WAS HER NAME...RATTLED A FEW TINS.
2.00PM...MADE PHONE CALL TO MOTHER.
2.30PM...FINALLY GOT THRU TO MOTHER...ALLS WELL.
3.10PM...SUPERMARKET FOR WATER,CHEESE AND MILK.
4.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...NU'S LEG ACHING.
6.00PM...WENT TO IRISH BAR...NOT AS GOOD AS MONDAY EVE...STILL MY BELLY WAS CONTENT.
7.30PM...AT THE 'BRAU KHAN' HAVING A JIM BEAM.
9.30PM...WALKED BACK TO GUEST HOUSE...BBC NEWS 24...NU HIT THE SACK...ME KINDA THOUGHTFUL...BIRTHDAY HAPPY!
12.10.07.
8.30AM...WOKE...STOOD UP...BUT FELT SORT OF DIZY...NU WENT FOR SHOWER AND THEN MADE COFFEE...I LAY DOWN AGAIN.
11.00AM...GOT UP...HADN'T REALLY SLEPT...JUST DOZED...FEELING OK NOW.
11.15AM...SHOWERED.
11.45AM...COFFEE,BREAD AND CHEESE...NU WRITING CARDS...NOT SURE ABOUT TIBET...APPARENTLY AIR VERY THIN...I THINK I'M HAVING TROUBLE ADAPTING TO THE AIR HERE IN MONGOLIA...WE'LL HAVE TO SEE?
12.30PM...AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM[NOT THE NATIONAL,WE SAW THAT YESTERDAY]...QUID EACH TO GET IN...LOADSA STUFFED BIRDS AND ANIMALS...DINASAUR BONES...INSECTS ETC...ANOTHER OK WOW.
3.40PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WEATHER SUNNY...AIR COLD...NOT HELPING MY NOSE...MIGHT HAVE A VODDY...MIGHT NOT...PROBABLY WILL!
5.00PM...WENT FOR A MEAL...THOUGHT IT WAS KOREAN...BUT ACTUALLY MONGOLIAN...4 DIFFERENT MEATS...RICE...SPUD...BROCOLLI IN SOME SAUCE...ALSO HAD BOTTLE OF JP CHENET...FRENCH...WENT DOWN A TREAT...BEST MEAL YET.
7.30PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WANTED TO WATCH BBC NEWS 24...BUT SOME SQUARE EYED AUSSIE AS TAKEN OVER THE TV!!
In my endeavour to write the most boringest blog to date...please don't berate...my spelling and grammar is not so great!...concerning mongo cheese...it's got something...not in a mature way...it's not soft or hard...a bit like me...must be my age!...wish i could sent some thru the post...so you could try it on your toast!
13.10.07.
9.45AM...WOKE QUITE LATE...NU MADE COFFEE.
10.15AM...FINISHED OF BREAD AND CHEESE...HAD ENOUGH OF JAM.
11.10AM...SHOWERED.
11.55AM...WALKED TO SUKHBATOOR SQUARE...SEARCHING FOR MODERN ART MUSEUM.
12.40PM...HAVING CHIPS,BOILED EGG AND MONGO BEER IN MONGO CAFE.
1.45PM...FOUND MOD ART MUSEUM...80p EACH FOR ENTRANCE...VERY COLOURFUL...2 FLOORS OF PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES...A LITTLE BIGGER WOW THAN THE LAST 2 MUSEUMS.
4.00PM...SEARCHED FOR'CAFE STUPOR'...TOTALLY ON THE WRONG ROAD...BUT THINK WE KNOW WHERE IT IS NOW HAVING SPOKEN WITH AN AUSSIE WOMAN...TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.
4.35PM...ARRIVED ART MONGO FAST FOOD RESTAURANT...PORK AND RICE...6800 TUGRIKS FOR BOTH...INCLUDING DRINK...YESTERDAYS MEAL WAS 42000...SO GONE CHEAP TODAY...NU BIT INTO WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A WATER CHESTNUT...ACTUALLY A CLOVER OF GARLIC!
6.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...STAYED UP LATE...WANTED TO WATCH ENGLAND GAME...DIDN'T START TILL 10PM...MISSED 1ST HALF'CAUSE SOME SWEDISH GIRLS WERE WATCHING A VIDEO...SOMETHING ABOUT MARY!...ANYWAY WATCHED 2ND HALF WITH SQUARE EYED AUSSIE...WE WERE 3 UP...SO IT SORT OF CAME AND WENT...ENGLAND SEEMED TO PLAY OUT THE 2ND HALF...HAPPY IN THE KNOWLEDGE THEY WERE 3 UP...NEVER BEEN THAT KEEN ON THE SWEDES!
14.10.07.
10.00AM...WOKE UP...NON TO ENERGETICALLY...LAY FOR ANOTHER 45 MINS.
10.50AM...FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOWER.
11.05AM...COFFEE.
12.05PM...HEADED FOR BREAKFAST AT A LITTLE CAFE WE HAD STROLLED PASSED A COUPLE OF TIMES...THOUGHT WE WOULD VENTURE OVER THE STEP TODAY.
12.40PM...NOT DISAPPOINTED...2 FRIED EGGS WITH BACON TOASTED SANDWICH AND ORANGE JUICE...YUMMY.
2.00PM...POST OFFICE...STAMPS TO BUY...CARDS TO POST...NU ENQUIRED ABOUT A SHOW...WOMAN ON INFO DESK TOLD US A MONGOLIAN FOLK EVENING...TOLD US DURECTIONS...SO OF WE STROLLED TO PURCHASE TICKETS...IT WAS NEXT TO THE SEOUL RESTAURANT...ALL VERY POSH...ITS WHERE ALL THE SO CALLED WORLD STARS COME TO EAT WHEN THEY ARE IN TOWN.
2.45PM...WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BUY TICKETS...WE COULD PAY ON THE DOOR...WE SAT DOWN IN THE SEOUL RESTAURANT...WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA GOING ON UPSTAIRS...HAD A BEER...NU SUGGESTED I GO ALONE TO SUPERMARKET AS HER LEG WAS NONE TO GOOD.
3.55PM...OFF I STROLLED.
4.20PM...AT THE SUPERMARKET...IT WASN'T THE ONE I HAD FREQUENTED BEFORE...DIDN'T HAVE OUR MONGO CHEESE!...I WAS DOWN THE BOOZE ISLE...EYEING THE WHISKEY...I FELT HOT SO I WENT TO UNZIP MY JACKET...IT BROKE...THERES ME FIDDLING WITH MY ZIP...I LOOK TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS A SECURUTY GUARD WATCHING ME...I PROCEED TO TAKE MY JACKET OFF OVER MY HEAD WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY...MY HEAD FINALLY REAPPEARED AND I TURNED AND SMILED AT HIM...HE WATCHED ME ALL THE WAY TO THE CHECKOUTS.
4.55PM...HEADING BACK TO NU.
5.10PM...BACK AT RESTAURANT TELLING TALE OF WOE...ORDERED 6 COURSE MEAL FOR 14 DOLLARS.
5.45PM...RAPIDLY SCOFFED...FILLET STEAK...SALAD...WODERFUL SOUP...FRUIT DISH...CAKE...CUPPA TEA...NU HELPED!
5.55PM...PAID BILL AND WENT MEXT DOOR FOR SHOW.
6.00PM...SHOW NOT ON...CHAPPIE THERE SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS...THAT WOMAN ON THE TOURIST INFO DESK WAS ABOUT AS MUCH USE AS WAKING UP TO FIND SEAGULL SPILLAGE ON YOUR TENT WHEN CAMPING IN DORSET SOMETIME IN MARCH.
6.10PM...STARTED WALKING BACK TO GUEST HOUSE.
7.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...WAITUNG ON CUPPA TEA SHE SAID SHE WAS MAKING ABOUT 30 MINS AGO...GUESS SHE'S GOT WAFFLING OR SOMETHING...WELL THIRSTY.
7.10PM...NU BACK...BUT NO TEA...SHE FORGOT!
7.13PM...OFF SHE GOES AGAIN.
7.20PM...I HAVE A CUPPA TEA.
7.30PM...ZIP MENDED!
STILL STROLLING
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
eighth...MONGOLIAN STROLL
8.10.11.
6.00AM...WERE WOKE BY TRAIN ATTENDED...PACKED AND READY BY 6.45AM...COFFEE.
7.30AM...ARRIVE ULAN BATOR...YAHOO!AT LAST...FIVE DAYS ON A TRAIN IS NOT MY CUPPA TEA...MAN WAITING FOR US ON PLATFORM TO TAKE US TO GUEST HOUSE.
8.15AM...AT GUEST HOUSE...FORM FILLING...SHOWN TO ROOM...THIS PLACE IS VERY PLEASANT...AFTER MOSCOW...WELL ENOUGH SAID...WE HAVE A NICE BUNKED BED ROOM TO OURSELVES...A TABLE WITH MIRROR...ROOM ABOUT 8 FOOT BY 8 FOOT...BREAKFAST IS BREAD AND JAM AND AS MUCH COFFEE AS WE WANT...CLEAN AND SIMPLE...LIKE MYSELF!
8.35AM...SHOWER...NEED IT BAD!
9.00AM...BREAKFAST.
10.00AM...ATM MONEY EXCHANGE REQUIRED...WALKED TO SAKHBAATOR SQUARE...FOUND POST OFFICE/TOURIST INFO.
11.00AM...DIDNT HAVE MUCH BREAD AND JAM EARLY SO STOPPED OFF AT CAFE...CHIPS...EGG...BURGER...RICE...I ONLY ASKED FOR EGG AND CHIPS!...PERHAPS I LOOK AS IF I NEED FEEDING!...NU HAD A BURGER...HUGE...THATS THE BURGER!...ONLY 2 QUID...THAT INCLUDED COFFEE...FOR EVERYTHING.
12.20PM...FOUND DEPARTMENT STORE...BIT PLUSH...BOUGHT A FEW GOODS.
1.15PM...ENQUIRED ABOUT FLIGHT TICKETS FOR BEIJENG/CHENGDU.
2.15PM...BOUGHT TICKETS...300 QUID FOR BOTH...FLY 17TH OCT.
4.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...FELL ASLEEP.
5.30PM...WOKE UP.
6.00PM...WALKED TO IRISH BAR...TBONE STEAK...HALF JACKET SPUD...MUSHROOMS AND SALAD...NU HAD PORK AND VEG...PINT OF LAGER EACH...9 QUID FOR BOTH...BEST MEAL SO FAR AND CHEAPEST.
8.00PM...MET UP WITH IRISH COUPLE AT BRAU KHAN...NU ON COCKTAIL...RED KISS...JIM BEAM FOR ME...GREAT EVENING...LOVELY PEOPLE...WE WOBBLED AND LAUGHED ALL THEY WAY BACK TO OUR GUEST HOUSE....AND CRASHED!
9.10.11.
9.00AM...FEELING ROUGH...NU BEEN SICK...NOT WELL...THINKS IT WAS LAST NIGHTS SALAD.
10.00AM...WENT TO STORE FOR CHEESE,BREAD,MILK AND TISSUES.
11.30AM...NU SLEEPING...I AM WAITING FOR BATHROOM...NEEDA SHAVE...NOT FEELING A1 MYSELF.
11.55AM...SHOWERED...NU SLEPT MOST OF AFTERNOON...I READ...BOUGHT A SELECTION OF FRUIT FOR HER.
4.00PM...NU NOT HUNGRY...WENT FOR A PIZZA BY MYSELF.
5.00PM...FOUND PIZZA KING...VERY NICE PEOPLE...VERY NICE PLACE.
6.15PM...ON WAY BACK BOUGHT SOME NUTS AND CRISPS.
7.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...FANCIED A CUPPA TEA...BUT SOMEONE HAD STOLEN MY MILK FROM THE FRIDGE IN THE KITCHEN!
I know you probably think all nu and i do is drink and eat...but its what we enjoy best...we do go and see a few monuments but they all start to look the same after a while...the people we meet is what we enjoy most.Walking the streets and getting lost sometimes is infuriating but sometimes its the only way of finding good places and we feel so fulfilled!
10.10.11.
8.45AM...ROSE QUITE EARLY...QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GOING ON A GER TRIP...THATS A TENT IN THE GOBI DESERT...WE GO ON THE 16TH OCT...DONT KNOW WHETHER TO LOOK FORWARD TO IT OR NOT.
9.15AM...COFFEE/JAM/BREAD...BREAKFAST NONE TO EXCITING.
10.30AM...SHOWER.
11.15AM...WE HEAD OFF TO SEE THE NATIONAL HISTORY OF MONGOLIA MUSEUM...NU FEELING A LOT BETTER...BUT DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO FAR...I AM STILL A BIT BUNGED UP.
12.05PM...NAT HIST MUSEUM...QUID EACH...LOTS OF OLD KNIVES AND SWORDS.BONES,STONES,COSTUMES,PICTURES,STATUES AND PLENTY ABOUT GHENGIS...AN OK WOW.
2.30PM...HEADED FOR RESTAURANT...THOUGHT IT WAS MONGOLIAN...IT WAS CZECH...FOOD GOOD THOUGH...WONDERFUL PEA SOUP...SPICY BEEF WITH RICE...AND A CUPPA TEA...ALL FOR 3,500 TUGRIKS EACH...2,400 TO A POUND!
4.30PM...NEXT STOP SECOND HAND BOOK SHOP...NU IN HER ELEMENT...SWOPPED HER BOOK AND A VERY HELPFUL ASSISTANT WHO SPOKE GOOD ENGLISH SO THEY HAD A GOOD CHAT.
5.30PM...BAKERY...BOUGHT WHAT LOOKS LIKE LARDY CAKE...BUT PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE.
6.15PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...LISTENING TO BBC NEWS...CUPPA TEA AND MY LARDY CAKE...NOT SURE OF TASTE CAUSE MY TASTE BUDS ARE NOT SO GOOD DUE TO MY COLD...NU SAYS APPLE AND RAISIN.
STROLLIN'
BYE FOR NOWZ..
6.00AM...WERE WOKE BY TRAIN ATTENDED...PACKED AND READY BY 6.45AM...COFFEE.
7.30AM...ARRIVE ULAN BATOR...YAHOO!AT LAST...FIVE DAYS ON A TRAIN IS NOT MY CUPPA TEA...MAN WAITING FOR US ON PLATFORM TO TAKE US TO GUEST HOUSE.
8.15AM...AT GUEST HOUSE...FORM FILLING...SHOWN TO ROOM...THIS PLACE IS VERY PLEASANT...AFTER MOSCOW...WELL ENOUGH SAID...WE HAVE A NICE BUNKED BED ROOM TO OURSELVES...A TABLE WITH MIRROR...ROOM ABOUT 8 FOOT BY 8 FOOT...BREAKFAST IS BREAD AND JAM AND AS MUCH COFFEE AS WE WANT...CLEAN AND SIMPLE...LIKE MYSELF!
8.35AM...SHOWER...NEED IT BAD!
9.00AM...BREAKFAST.
10.00AM...ATM MONEY EXCHANGE REQUIRED...WALKED TO SAKHBAATOR SQUARE...FOUND POST OFFICE/TOURIST INFO.
11.00AM...DIDNT HAVE MUCH BREAD AND JAM EARLY SO STOPPED OFF AT CAFE...CHIPS...EGG...BURGER...RICE...I ONLY ASKED FOR EGG AND CHIPS!...PERHAPS I LOOK AS IF I NEED FEEDING!...NU HAD A BURGER...HUGE...THATS THE BURGER!...ONLY 2 QUID...THAT INCLUDED COFFEE...FOR EVERYTHING.
12.20PM...FOUND DEPARTMENT STORE...BIT PLUSH...BOUGHT A FEW GOODS.
1.15PM...ENQUIRED ABOUT FLIGHT TICKETS FOR BEIJENG/CHENGDU.
2.15PM...BOUGHT TICKETS...300 QUID FOR BOTH...FLY 17TH OCT.
4.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...FELL ASLEEP.
5.30PM...WOKE UP.
6.00PM...WALKED TO IRISH BAR...TBONE STEAK...HALF JACKET SPUD...MUSHROOMS AND SALAD...NU HAD PORK AND VEG...PINT OF LAGER EACH...9 QUID FOR BOTH...BEST MEAL SO FAR AND CHEAPEST.
8.00PM...MET UP WITH IRISH COUPLE AT BRAU KHAN...NU ON COCKTAIL...RED KISS...JIM BEAM FOR ME...GREAT EVENING...LOVELY PEOPLE...WE WOBBLED AND LAUGHED ALL THEY WAY BACK TO OUR GUEST HOUSE....AND CRASHED!
9.10.11.
9.00AM...FEELING ROUGH...NU BEEN SICK...NOT WELL...THINKS IT WAS LAST NIGHTS SALAD.
10.00AM...WENT TO STORE FOR CHEESE,BREAD,MILK AND TISSUES.
11.30AM...NU SLEEPING...I AM WAITING FOR BATHROOM...NEEDA SHAVE...NOT FEELING A1 MYSELF.
11.55AM...SHOWERED...NU SLEPT MOST OF AFTERNOON...I READ...BOUGHT A SELECTION OF FRUIT FOR HER.
4.00PM...NU NOT HUNGRY...WENT FOR A PIZZA BY MYSELF.
5.00PM...FOUND PIZZA KING...VERY NICE PEOPLE...VERY NICE PLACE.
6.15PM...ON WAY BACK BOUGHT SOME NUTS AND CRISPS.
7.00PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...FANCIED A CUPPA TEA...BUT SOMEONE HAD STOLEN MY MILK FROM THE FRIDGE IN THE KITCHEN!
I know you probably think all nu and i do is drink and eat...but its what we enjoy best...we do go and see a few monuments but they all start to look the same after a while...the people we meet is what we enjoy most.Walking the streets and getting lost sometimes is infuriating but sometimes its the only way of finding good places and we feel so fulfilled!
10.10.11.
8.45AM...ROSE QUITE EARLY...QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GOING ON A GER TRIP...THATS A TENT IN THE GOBI DESERT...WE GO ON THE 16TH OCT...DONT KNOW WHETHER TO LOOK FORWARD TO IT OR NOT.
9.15AM...COFFEE/JAM/BREAD...BREAKFAST NONE TO EXCITING.
10.30AM...SHOWER.
11.15AM...WE HEAD OFF TO SEE THE NATIONAL HISTORY OF MONGOLIA MUSEUM...NU FEELING A LOT BETTER...BUT DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO FAR...I AM STILL A BIT BUNGED UP.
12.05PM...NAT HIST MUSEUM...QUID EACH...LOTS OF OLD KNIVES AND SWORDS.BONES,STONES,COSTUMES,PICTURES,STATUES AND PLENTY ABOUT GHENGIS...AN OK WOW.
2.30PM...HEADED FOR RESTAURANT...THOUGHT IT WAS MONGOLIAN...IT WAS CZECH...FOOD GOOD THOUGH...WONDERFUL PEA SOUP...SPICY BEEF WITH RICE...AND A CUPPA TEA...ALL FOR 3,500 TUGRIKS EACH...2,400 TO A POUND!
4.30PM...NEXT STOP SECOND HAND BOOK SHOP...NU IN HER ELEMENT...SWOPPED HER BOOK AND A VERY HELPFUL ASSISTANT WHO SPOKE GOOD ENGLISH SO THEY HAD A GOOD CHAT.
5.30PM...BAKERY...BOUGHT WHAT LOOKS LIKE LARDY CAKE...BUT PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE.
6.15PM...BACK AT GUEST HOUSE...LISTENING TO BBC NEWS...CUPPA TEA AND MY LARDY CAKE...NOT SURE OF TASTE CAUSE MY TASTE BUDS ARE NOT SO GOOD DUE TO MY COLD...NU SAYS APPLE AND RAISIN.
STROLLIN'
BYE FOR NOWZ..
Monday, 8 October 2007
seventh...bye bye moscow
3.10.07.
9.30AM...OUTA BED...SHOWER/COFFEE.
10.15AM...STARTED PACKING...WANT TO DO IT FAST...GET SORTED...NEEDA ANOTHER CUPPA COFFEE...CANT FIND SLEEPING BAG COVER...EVERYTHING GOTTA COME OUT AGAIN...NU HAD IT!...START AGAIN...NOTHING GOES BACK THE WAY IT WAS.
11.05AM...PACKED AT LAST...IN A FASHION...HAD ENOUGH.
12.30PM...HEAD FOR SUPERMARKET...BREAD,CHEESE,LOO ROLL,SHAMPOO,VODDY,JAM,WATER,COKE,ENERGY DRINK,DOUGHNUTS AND CRISPS...THINK I AM GETTING A COLD.
2.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL.
3.00PM...SAID OUR FAREWELLS...HEAD FOR TRAIN STATION...TRAIN DOES NOT GO TILL 9.30PM,BUT IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE US 3 HOURS...EASY TO GET LOST...MOSCOW METRO IS A RIDDLE.
4.15PM...MADE IT...TRAIN NOW LEAVES AT 8.50PM,HAVING JUST HAD A ANIMATED CONVERSATION WITH AN OLD LADY ON THE INFO DESK.
5.OOPM...HAVING BEER...BACK ACHE...NEED A HAIR CUT...WILL THAT HELP MY BACK PAIN?
7.45pm...HEAD BACK TO RAILWAY STATION.
8.10PM...AT THE PLATFORM WE WERE TOLD OUR TRAIN WOULD BE LEAVING FROM...BOUGHT A CHICKEN WRAP...FULL OF SPICEY STUFF...YUMMY!
8.50pm...NO TRAIN!...HAD A LOOK ROUND...WE WERE NOT ON THE RIGHT PLATFORM.
9.00PM...FOUND PLATFORM REQUIRED...TRAIN JUST APPROACHING.
9.10PM...BLOATED FACED BUXOM MONGOLIAN WOMAN STUDIES OUR TICKETS FOR ABOUT 10 MINS.
9.20PM...LETS US ON...SHOWS US TO WRONG BERTH...CHECKS TICKETS AGAIN...SHE IS NOT SURE...SMILES AND THEN WINKS AT ME...EVENTUALLY MOVED TO ANOTHER BERTH AND EVERYTHING OK.
9.35PM...OFF WE GO!...COMPARTMENT SMALL BUT ADEQUATE...HAD A SPREAD CHEESE SANDWICH AND A VODDY.
10.15PM...HEAD DOWN.
10.50PM...CANT SLEEP...HAD SOME CRISPS AND ANOTHER VODDY.
11.30PM...TRY AGAIN...LAY ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE I FELL ASLEEP.
4.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE UP...NOSE BUNGED UP...COLD KICKING IN...FEEL WEAK.
9.00AM...WALK LENGTH OF TRAIN.
9.30AM...SITTING WITH 'BALD THE MONGOLIAN',DRINKING BEER.HE OFFERED,I DIDNT WANNA OFFEND...HE IS VERY FRIENDLY...NOT BALD AT ALL...HE MAKES HANDBAGS IN MONGOLIA TO SELL IN RUSSIA...JOINED BY DOUWE,A MONGO/CHINESE MAN...ALSO ROB,A DUTCHMAN JOINS US...DOUWE SPEAK GERMAN AND ROB SPEAK GERMAN AND ENGLISH...SO WE MAKE GOOD CONVERSATION...A BIT DRAWN OUT MIND...BUT INTERESTING.
11.40AM...BACK IN MY COMPARTMENT...IT WAS REALLY TO EARLY TO DRINK BEER...MY HEAD A LITTLE CRAZY...WE CAN HAVE MEAT SOUP IF WE WANT...VERY NICE MONGOLIAN LADY IS SELLING A BOWL OR TWO...NU RELAXING.
2.00PM...SLEPT OFF MY 3 BEER BREAKFAST...HAVING POTATO SOUP...HAD A VODDY...TRYING TO QUELL THIS COLD...WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY FROM OUR BERTH...TREES...LONELY WOODEN HOUSES...FIELD UPON FIELD...VAST EMPTY SPACES...WARM WEATHER...JUST LAZING IN CARRIAGE.
5.00PM...TRAIN STOPPED...BOUGHT A TWIX...ITS GETTING EXCITING!
6.00pm...DRINKING AND GASSING WITH SOME FORIEGNERS...THE PLACE IS FULL OF THEM,
7.15PM...HAVING A VODDY WITH NU...FEEL TIRED.
VIEW OF MOSCOW.
THE GIRLS TRY TO LOOK ATTRACTIVE.BUT LOOK AS IF THEY SHOULD BE STANDING ON STREET CORNERS...THEY LOVE FANCY SHOES...THE MEN LOOK SLEAZY...MAYBE WE DID NOT GET A GOOD LOOK AT MOSCOW BECAUSE WE GOT LOST TO MANY TIMES...MAYBE IT AS MORE TO OFFER...THE STREET WE STAYED ON WAS FULL OF STREET SELLERS AND MUSICIANS.BUT ALSO MANY BEGGARS...THE SUN SHONE...THE FOOD WAS OK...MAYBE WORTH ANOTHER LOOK...IF ONLY THEY COULD GET THERE ALPHABET SORTED...ACCOMADATION WAS POOR...SAY NO MORE...RUSSIAN CHEESE...TASTELESS...RUSSIANS ARE LIKE ITALIANS...CANT COOK AND NO DRESS SENSE.
5.10.07.
8.30AM...DREADFUL NIGHT...HARDLY SLEPT...NOSE WELL BUNGED...PUT HANKIES IN SOAK...RELYING ON LOO ROLL.
10.OOAM...KEPT OUYA BALDS WAY...DID NOT FANCY ANOTHER BEER BREAKFAST!WE STOP OFF AT ANOTHER STATION AND MANY MONGS GET OFF TO SELL THERE WARES...RANGING FROM JEANS,LEATHER JACKETS,WOOLIES,TIGHTS,SOAPS...ITS ONE CHAOTIC MASS OF HUMMING PEOPLE...BUT THEY ARE MAKING A LIVING.
11.00AM...MEAT BALLS IN A SUET CASING...VERY TASTY...NOT SURE WHAT MEAT.
11.30AM...DONE WASHING UP...GOD WAS THERE GREASE ON THOSE BALLS!
12.20PM...STOPPED AT STATION...ENQUIRE ABOUT VODDY...WE ARE RUNNING SHORT...NU GETTING SHAKES...NO LUCK...BOUGHT BEER INSTEAD.
2.30PM...THE TRAIN SEMS TO BE GOING SLOW...A LITTLE BORED...HAD SOUP AND BREAD...VERY SALTY...THE SUNS GONE IN...IT LOOKS BLEAK.
4.10PM...ITS GETTING COLD...FINISHING OF VODDY...I CANT GET MY HAT ON...BELIEVE IT OR NOT...THEY DONT SELL VODDY AT TRAIN STATIONS!...THIS IS RUSSIA MAN...WHATS GOING ON?!
7.30PM...WAITIG FOR NEXT STATION...GETTING LOW ON FOOD.
9.00PM...GOT LUCKY...GOT VODDY!...PASSED TO ME KINDA SECRETIVELY FROM BEHIND COUNTER...HAD TO HIDE IT UNDERNEATH MY COAT...CLOCK GONE ON BY 2HOURS...SO NOW ITS 11.00PM.
6.10.07.
10.00AM...STILL GROGGIE...BUT COLD RECEDING...NEED A SHAVE BADLY...2 CUPS OF COFFEE AND 2 BISCUITS...SUPPLIES SHORT...LAST STOP HAD NO BREAD.
12.25PM...FOUND OUT WE GOTTA ADD ON ANOTHER HOUR...NOW 6 HOURS AHEAD OF ENGLAND.
1.00PM...SCRUB UP AND SHAVE...PATCHES OF SNOW...LOVELY SCENERY...SUN SHINING...BUT AIR COLD.
2.00PM...VODDY AND GAME OF CARDS.
2.50PM...NU WON BEST OF 3...BIT OF SKULLDUGGERY MIND!...SURROUNDING THE 2 OF DIAMONDS...WHICH SHE SLIPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK HAVING APPARENTLY PICKED UP 2 CARDS ACCIDENTLY!?
4.00PM...TRAIN STOPPED...GOT BREAD AND CRISPS...GETTING SHORT ON ROUBLES.
6.30PM...FEELING FAT...WONDERFUL FRESH BREAD ROLLS.
8.45PM...TRAIN STOPPED...BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WERE JAM DOUGHNUTS...ACTUALLY FILLED WITH MUTTON...NICE THOUGH...GETTING COLDER...-3.
7.10.07.
6.30AM...WOLE UP TO SE THE SUN RISE OF LAKE BAKIEL...COFFEE AND WASH...A BIT OF A SLEEPLESS NIGHT.
10.00AM...TRAIN STATION...LAST FEW ROUBLES TO SPEND...3 CANS OF BEER AND BAR OF CHOCOLATE...BORDER NEXT STOP...READ MOST OF THE DAY.
5.00PM...RUSSIAN BORDER...SERIOUS FACED CHAPS...PASSPORTS TAKEN.
9.00PM...STILL ON RUSSIAN BORDER...WAITING RETURN OF PASSPORTS.
9.15PM...MANAGED TO GET HOT WATER...HAVING POT NOODLE.
9.50PM...PASSPORTS RETURNED...NEXT STOP MONGOLIAN BORDER...YAWN.
10.25PM...ARRIVED AT MONGO BORDER...YAWN.
11.10PM...STERN FACES APPEAR...BUT SEEM A BIT MORE FRIENDLY...HAD LAST BEER...COULD DO WITH A WHISKEY...WELL TIRED.
MIDNIGHT...EVERYTHING OK WITH THE MONGO BORDER FOLK AND OFF WE GO!
DECOMPRESS HOLD BUTTON.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
9.30AM...OUTA BED...SHOWER/COFFEE.
10.15AM...STARTED PACKING...WANT TO DO IT FAST...GET SORTED...NEEDA ANOTHER CUPPA COFFEE...CANT FIND SLEEPING BAG COVER...EVERYTHING GOTTA COME OUT AGAIN...NU HAD IT!...START AGAIN...NOTHING GOES BACK THE WAY IT WAS.
11.05AM...PACKED AT LAST...IN A FASHION...HAD ENOUGH.
12.30PM...HEAD FOR SUPERMARKET...BREAD,CHEESE,LOO ROLL,SHAMPOO,VODDY,JAM,WATER,COKE,ENERGY DRINK,DOUGHNUTS AND CRISPS...THINK I AM GETTING A COLD.
2.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL.
3.00PM...SAID OUR FAREWELLS...HEAD FOR TRAIN STATION...TRAIN DOES NOT GO TILL 9.30PM,BUT IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE US 3 HOURS...EASY TO GET LOST...MOSCOW METRO IS A RIDDLE.
4.15PM...MADE IT...TRAIN NOW LEAVES AT 8.50PM,HAVING JUST HAD A ANIMATED CONVERSATION WITH AN OLD LADY ON THE INFO DESK.
5.OOPM...HAVING BEER...BACK ACHE...NEED A HAIR CUT...WILL THAT HELP MY BACK PAIN?
7.45pm...HEAD BACK TO RAILWAY STATION.
8.10PM...AT THE PLATFORM WE WERE TOLD OUR TRAIN WOULD BE LEAVING FROM...BOUGHT A CHICKEN WRAP...FULL OF SPICEY STUFF...YUMMY!
8.50pm...NO TRAIN!...HAD A LOOK ROUND...WE WERE NOT ON THE RIGHT PLATFORM.
9.00PM...FOUND PLATFORM REQUIRED...TRAIN JUST APPROACHING.
9.10PM...BLOATED FACED BUXOM MONGOLIAN WOMAN STUDIES OUR TICKETS FOR ABOUT 10 MINS.
9.20PM...LETS US ON...SHOWS US TO WRONG BERTH...CHECKS TICKETS AGAIN...SHE IS NOT SURE...SMILES AND THEN WINKS AT ME...EVENTUALLY MOVED TO ANOTHER BERTH AND EVERYTHING OK.
9.35PM...OFF WE GO!...COMPARTMENT SMALL BUT ADEQUATE...HAD A SPREAD CHEESE SANDWICH AND A VODDY.
10.15PM...HEAD DOWN.
10.50PM...CANT SLEEP...HAD SOME CRISPS AND ANOTHER VODDY.
11.30PM...TRY AGAIN...LAY ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE I FELL ASLEEP.
4.10.07.
8.00AM...WOKE UP...NOSE BUNGED UP...COLD KICKING IN...FEEL WEAK.
9.00AM...WALK LENGTH OF TRAIN.
9.30AM...SITTING WITH 'BALD THE MONGOLIAN',DRINKING BEER.HE OFFERED,I DIDNT WANNA OFFEND...HE IS VERY FRIENDLY...NOT BALD AT ALL...HE MAKES HANDBAGS IN MONGOLIA TO SELL IN RUSSIA...JOINED BY DOUWE,A MONGO/CHINESE MAN...ALSO ROB,A DUTCHMAN JOINS US...DOUWE SPEAK GERMAN AND ROB SPEAK GERMAN AND ENGLISH...SO WE MAKE GOOD CONVERSATION...A BIT DRAWN OUT MIND...BUT INTERESTING.
11.40AM...BACK IN MY COMPARTMENT...IT WAS REALLY TO EARLY TO DRINK BEER...MY HEAD A LITTLE CRAZY...WE CAN HAVE MEAT SOUP IF WE WANT...VERY NICE MONGOLIAN LADY IS SELLING A BOWL OR TWO...NU RELAXING.
2.00PM...SLEPT OFF MY 3 BEER BREAKFAST...HAVING POTATO SOUP...HAD A VODDY...TRYING TO QUELL THIS COLD...WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY FROM OUR BERTH...TREES...LONELY WOODEN HOUSES...FIELD UPON FIELD...VAST EMPTY SPACES...WARM WEATHER...JUST LAZING IN CARRIAGE.
5.00PM...TRAIN STOPPED...BOUGHT A TWIX...ITS GETTING EXCITING!
6.00pm...DRINKING AND GASSING WITH SOME FORIEGNERS...THE PLACE IS FULL OF THEM,
7.15PM...HAVING A VODDY WITH NU...FEEL TIRED.
VIEW OF MOSCOW.
THE GIRLS TRY TO LOOK ATTRACTIVE.BUT LOOK AS IF THEY SHOULD BE STANDING ON STREET CORNERS...THEY LOVE FANCY SHOES...THE MEN LOOK SLEAZY...MAYBE WE DID NOT GET A GOOD LOOK AT MOSCOW BECAUSE WE GOT LOST TO MANY TIMES...MAYBE IT AS MORE TO OFFER...THE STREET WE STAYED ON WAS FULL OF STREET SELLERS AND MUSICIANS.BUT ALSO MANY BEGGARS...THE SUN SHONE...THE FOOD WAS OK...MAYBE WORTH ANOTHER LOOK...IF ONLY THEY COULD GET THERE ALPHABET SORTED...ACCOMADATION WAS POOR...SAY NO MORE...RUSSIAN CHEESE...TASTELESS...RUSSIANS ARE LIKE ITALIANS...CANT COOK AND NO DRESS SENSE.
5.10.07.
8.30AM...DREADFUL NIGHT...HARDLY SLEPT...NOSE WELL BUNGED...PUT HANKIES IN SOAK...RELYING ON LOO ROLL.
10.OOAM...KEPT OUYA BALDS WAY...DID NOT FANCY ANOTHER BEER BREAKFAST!WE STOP OFF AT ANOTHER STATION AND MANY MONGS GET OFF TO SELL THERE WARES...RANGING FROM JEANS,LEATHER JACKETS,WOOLIES,TIGHTS,SOAPS...ITS ONE CHAOTIC MASS OF HUMMING PEOPLE...BUT THEY ARE MAKING A LIVING.
11.00AM...MEAT BALLS IN A SUET CASING...VERY TASTY...NOT SURE WHAT MEAT.
11.30AM...DONE WASHING UP...GOD WAS THERE GREASE ON THOSE BALLS!
12.20PM...STOPPED AT STATION...ENQUIRE ABOUT VODDY...WE ARE RUNNING SHORT...NU GETTING SHAKES...NO LUCK...BOUGHT BEER INSTEAD.
2.30PM...THE TRAIN SEMS TO BE GOING SLOW...A LITTLE BORED...HAD SOUP AND BREAD...VERY SALTY...THE SUNS GONE IN...IT LOOKS BLEAK.
4.10PM...ITS GETTING COLD...FINISHING OF VODDY...I CANT GET MY HAT ON...BELIEVE IT OR NOT...THEY DONT SELL VODDY AT TRAIN STATIONS!...THIS IS RUSSIA MAN...WHATS GOING ON?!
7.30PM...WAITIG FOR NEXT STATION...GETTING LOW ON FOOD.
9.00PM...GOT LUCKY...GOT VODDY!...PASSED TO ME KINDA SECRETIVELY FROM BEHIND COUNTER...HAD TO HIDE IT UNDERNEATH MY COAT...CLOCK GONE ON BY 2HOURS...SO NOW ITS 11.00PM.
6.10.07.
10.00AM...STILL GROGGIE...BUT COLD RECEDING...NEED A SHAVE BADLY...2 CUPS OF COFFEE AND 2 BISCUITS...SUPPLIES SHORT...LAST STOP HAD NO BREAD.
12.25PM...FOUND OUT WE GOTTA ADD ON ANOTHER HOUR...NOW 6 HOURS AHEAD OF ENGLAND.
1.00PM...SCRUB UP AND SHAVE...PATCHES OF SNOW...LOVELY SCENERY...SUN SHINING...BUT AIR COLD.
2.00PM...VODDY AND GAME OF CARDS.
2.50PM...NU WON BEST OF 3...BIT OF SKULLDUGGERY MIND!...SURROUNDING THE 2 OF DIAMONDS...WHICH SHE SLIPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK HAVING APPARENTLY PICKED UP 2 CARDS ACCIDENTLY!?
4.00PM...TRAIN STOPPED...GOT BREAD AND CRISPS...GETTING SHORT ON ROUBLES.
6.30PM...FEELING FAT...WONDERFUL FRESH BREAD ROLLS.
8.45PM...TRAIN STOPPED...BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WERE JAM DOUGHNUTS...ACTUALLY FILLED WITH MUTTON...NICE THOUGH...GETTING COLDER...-3.
7.10.07.
6.30AM...WOLE UP TO SE THE SUN RISE OF LAKE BAKIEL...COFFEE AND WASH...A BIT OF A SLEEPLESS NIGHT.
10.00AM...TRAIN STATION...LAST FEW ROUBLES TO SPEND...3 CANS OF BEER AND BAR OF CHOCOLATE...BORDER NEXT STOP...READ MOST OF THE DAY.
5.00PM...RUSSIAN BORDER...SERIOUS FACED CHAPS...PASSPORTS TAKEN.
9.00PM...STILL ON RUSSIAN BORDER...WAITING RETURN OF PASSPORTS.
9.15PM...MANAGED TO GET HOT WATER...HAVING POT NOODLE.
9.50PM...PASSPORTS RETURNED...NEXT STOP MONGOLIAN BORDER...YAWN.
10.25PM...ARRIVED AT MONGO BORDER...YAWN.
11.10PM...STERN FACES APPEAR...BUT SEEM A BIT MORE FRIENDLY...HAD LAST BEER...COULD DO WITH A WHISKEY...WELL TIRED.
MIDNIGHT...EVERYTHING OK WITH THE MONGO BORDER FOLK AND OFF WE GO!
DECOMPRESS HOLD BUTTON.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
sixth...moscow times...part 3
1.10.07.
10.AM...COFFEE AND BREAD/JAM...SPOKE WITH A CHAPPIE WHO WAS GOING TO RAILWAY STATION FOR TICKET FOR MONGOLIA...NU STILL NEEDED TO REST UP...HE SAID IF I WANTED TO COME ALONG SO I GOT TO KNOW THE ROUTE CAUSE WE WERE HEADING THAT WAY ON WEDNESDAY.
11.05AM...OFF WE TOOTLE...BETTER TO GET LOST WITH SOMEONE THAN NO ONE.
12.30PM...FOUND OUR WAY...3 METRO STATIONS LATER.
1.00PM...VIA MUCH CONFUSION HE MANAGED TO BUY A TICKET.
1.30PM...SITTING HAVING A BEER WITH CHICKEN SANDWICH.
2.30PM...HEADED BACK TO HOVEL...EASY WHEN YOU KNOW THE METRO?
3.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL...RUSSIAN GIRL HELPED ME WITH QUESTIONS I NEED TO ASK ON WEDNESDAY.
3.30PM...HAD A BEER AND A BAKED SPUD AND DOZED.
6.00PM...OUT ON THE STREET...HEADING FOR PIZZA CAFE.
6.30PM...PIZZA ARRIVE...RATHER LARGE...NU HAD CHICKEN PASTA.
7.15PM...OH DEAR...NOT THE BEST...BUT FILLED THE BELLY.
7.45PM...GOT SOME IPREPROFEN FOR NU.
8.15PM...HAD ANOTHER COUPLE OF BEERS AT 'OUR LOCAL'.
10.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
MIDNIGHT...WOKE UP...STAYED UP CHATTING TO IRISH GUY AND KEPT ONE EYE ON THE VILLA/SPURS MATCH...VILLA 4/1 UP...DREW 4/4!
2.10.07.
10.00AM...WENT FOR SHOWER...NO WATER!
10.15AM...COFEE.
10.30AM...WE HAVE WATER!
11.15AM...HEAD TO MYMY CAFE FOR BREAKFAST...OMMELETTE OF MUSHROON AND HAM...JUST ABOUT EATABLE.
12.10PM...HEAD FOR METRO FOR GORKY PARK AND SCULPTURE EXHIBITION...GOT LOST...THE RUSSIAN METRO IS A COMPLEXED MESS...IF ANYONE TELLS YOU DIFFERENT...THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH!
4.15PM...BACK ON'OUR STREET'HAVING A BEER.
6.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL HAVING A VOD,CHEESE AND BREAD.
7.00PM...SAT TALKING TO AN AUSSIE FROM BRISBANE...BIT OF A NON EVENT DAY!
STILL ON HOLD
BYE FOR NOWZ.
10.AM...COFFEE AND BREAD/JAM...SPOKE WITH A CHAPPIE WHO WAS GOING TO RAILWAY STATION FOR TICKET FOR MONGOLIA...NU STILL NEEDED TO REST UP...HE SAID IF I WANTED TO COME ALONG SO I GOT TO KNOW THE ROUTE CAUSE WE WERE HEADING THAT WAY ON WEDNESDAY.
11.05AM...OFF WE TOOTLE...BETTER TO GET LOST WITH SOMEONE THAN NO ONE.
12.30PM...FOUND OUR WAY...3 METRO STATIONS LATER.
1.00PM...VIA MUCH CONFUSION HE MANAGED TO BUY A TICKET.
1.30PM...SITTING HAVING A BEER WITH CHICKEN SANDWICH.
2.30PM...HEADED BACK TO HOVEL...EASY WHEN YOU KNOW THE METRO?
3.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL...RUSSIAN GIRL HELPED ME WITH QUESTIONS I NEED TO ASK ON WEDNESDAY.
3.30PM...HAD A BEER AND A BAKED SPUD AND DOZED.
6.00PM...OUT ON THE STREET...HEADING FOR PIZZA CAFE.
6.30PM...PIZZA ARRIVE...RATHER LARGE...NU HAD CHICKEN PASTA.
7.15PM...OH DEAR...NOT THE BEST...BUT FILLED THE BELLY.
7.45PM...GOT SOME IPREPROFEN FOR NU.
8.15PM...HAD ANOTHER COUPLE OF BEERS AT 'OUR LOCAL'.
10.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
MIDNIGHT...WOKE UP...STAYED UP CHATTING TO IRISH GUY AND KEPT ONE EYE ON THE VILLA/SPURS MATCH...VILLA 4/1 UP...DREW 4/4!
2.10.07.
10.00AM...WENT FOR SHOWER...NO WATER!
10.15AM...COFEE.
10.30AM...WE HAVE WATER!
11.15AM...HEAD TO MYMY CAFE FOR BREAKFAST...OMMELETTE OF MUSHROON AND HAM...JUST ABOUT EATABLE.
12.10PM...HEAD FOR METRO FOR GORKY PARK AND SCULPTURE EXHIBITION...GOT LOST...THE RUSSIAN METRO IS A COMPLEXED MESS...IF ANYONE TELLS YOU DIFFERENT...THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH!
4.15PM...BACK ON'OUR STREET'HAVING A BEER.
6.00PM...BACK AT HOVEL HAVING A VOD,CHEESE AND BREAD.
7.00PM...SAT TALKING TO AN AUSSIE FROM BRISBANE...BIT OF A NON EVENT DAY!
STILL ON HOLD
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
MOSCOW TIMES...PART 2
29.9.07...10.OOAM...WOKE ALITTLE WORSE FOR WEAR...MAYBE TO MUCH VOD LAST NIGHT...NU GOTTA SLIGHT COLD...NOT GONNA DO ALOT TODAY...JUST RELAX...TAKE A BEER OR TWO.
12.05PM...WENT FOR A BEER AT NEAREST CAFE...NU RESTING UP...KNEE NOT TOO GOOD...GONNA HEAD FOR NET CAFE TO WRITE MY BLOG.
MISSED OUT SENTENCT IN LAST DLOG...IT WAS 20 QUID FOR BOTH FOR REGISTRATION.
ALSO FORGOT TO SAY ABOUT MINISTRY OF SILLY WALKS...THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS IN RED SQUARE.
4.30PM...HAD CHEESE AND BREAD...JUST RELAXING...HAD A FEW VODS.
8.10PM...BAKED SPUD WITH CREAMED MUSHROOMS.
30.9.07.
TODAYS BEEN A NO DAY...YEASTERDAY WAS A NO DAY...BUT WE HAD DECIDED YESTERDAY WAS A NO DAY...BUT TODAY AS ALSOP TURNRD INTO A NO DAY.
10.00AM...OUTA BED...SHOWER.
10.30AM...BREAKFAST...BREAD AND JAM.
11.30AM...WALKED TO METRO...GOT A LITTLE LOST...BUT EVENTUALLY FOUND OUR DESTINATION?
1.15PM...HAVING A BEER...WAITING FOR CITY BUS TOUR...NO SHOW!
2.00PM...WE MEET SOME GIRLS WHO ARE ALSO STAYING AT THE SAME HOVEL AS US...THETY SUGGEST WE GO ON A BOAT TOUR...SO OF WE TRUDGE.
3.15PM...WOMEN AT BOAT TICKET OFFICE...WE ARE NOT SURE...BUT WE THINK SHE WAS TELLING US THAT BUYING A TICKET HERE WAS NOT WORTH IT BECAUSE WE HAD WALKED HALF THE BOAT TRIP...PLUS IT DID NOT BRING US BACK HERE CAUSE IT WAS LATE IN THEB DAY...SO WE GAVE UP AND WALKED BACK TO THE CENTRE.
4.45PM...TIRED AND DEPLETED...KNEES HURTING...HAVING A BEER.
6.00PM...UZBECKISTAN RESTAURANT...NOT GONNA BOTH TELLING YOU WHAT WE HAD...BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL...BEST MEAL YET...NOODLES AND SPICES...LAMB OVENED...AND THE PRICE WAS RIGHT...LOVELY PEOPLE...LOVELY ATMOSPHERE...MADE UP FOR A DISAPOINTING DAY ON THE SIGHT SEEING FRONT.
9.00PM...GONNA CRASH.
ON HOLD...
BYE FOR NOWZ.
12.05PM...WENT FOR A BEER AT NEAREST CAFE...NU RESTING UP...KNEE NOT TOO GOOD...GONNA HEAD FOR NET CAFE TO WRITE MY BLOG.
MISSED OUT SENTENCT IN LAST DLOG...IT WAS 20 QUID FOR BOTH FOR REGISTRATION.
ALSO FORGOT TO SAY ABOUT MINISTRY OF SILLY WALKS...THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS IN RED SQUARE.
4.30PM...HAD CHEESE AND BREAD...JUST RELAXING...HAD A FEW VODS.
8.10PM...BAKED SPUD WITH CREAMED MUSHROOMS.
30.9.07.
TODAYS BEEN A NO DAY...YEASTERDAY WAS A NO DAY...BUT WE HAD DECIDED YESTERDAY WAS A NO DAY...BUT TODAY AS ALSOP TURNRD INTO A NO DAY.
10.00AM...OUTA BED...SHOWER.
10.30AM...BREAKFAST...BREAD AND JAM.
11.30AM...WALKED TO METRO...GOT A LITTLE LOST...BUT EVENTUALLY FOUND OUR DESTINATION?
1.15PM...HAVING A BEER...WAITING FOR CITY BUS TOUR...NO SHOW!
2.00PM...WE MEET SOME GIRLS WHO ARE ALSO STAYING AT THE SAME HOVEL AS US...THETY SUGGEST WE GO ON A BOAT TOUR...SO OF WE TRUDGE.
3.15PM...WOMEN AT BOAT TICKET OFFICE...WE ARE NOT SURE...BUT WE THINK SHE WAS TELLING US THAT BUYING A TICKET HERE WAS NOT WORTH IT BECAUSE WE HAD WALKED HALF THE BOAT TRIP...PLUS IT DID NOT BRING US BACK HERE CAUSE IT WAS LATE IN THEB DAY...SO WE GAVE UP AND WALKED BACK TO THE CENTRE.
4.45PM...TIRED AND DEPLETED...KNEES HURTING...HAVING A BEER.
6.00PM...UZBECKISTAN RESTAURANT...NOT GONNA BOTH TELLING YOU WHAT WE HAD...BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL...BEST MEAL YET...NOODLES AND SPICES...LAMB OVENED...AND THE PRICE WAS RIGHT...LOVELY PEOPLE...LOVELY ATMOSPHERE...MADE UP FOR A DISAPOINTING DAY ON THE SIGHT SEEING FRONT.
9.00PM...GONNA CRASH.
ON HOLD...
BYE FOR NOWZ.
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