Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Change of Plan #3

Okay, I haven't even started my trip and this is the third time I've modified any version of my itinerary.

First plan - Beijing to St. Petersburg and back
Second plan - start in Ulaan Bataar, St. Petersburg and back to Beijing

Current plan* (* denotes subject to change)


Start in Ulaan Bataar next Sunday, work my way on the Trans-Siberian to St. Petersburg.... yes, I know, nothing has changed there. But now, I had a brilliant idea - apply for a Kazakh visa in London to transit via Kazakhstan from Russia to China and join up to the Silk Road.

So - my passport is off with the Kazakhs right now. Which, for your info, are a very attractive culture.

Trans-Siberian adventure meet the Silk Road.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Off to a good start

I made it. Yay. And, it's 27 degrees and a beautiful day in London.

Getting here was a bit of fun as well. I went through the normal ridiculousness of commercial travel and got settled into my seat to find an empty seat beside me. I thought that was a good omen. Until the guy behind me started chatting it up, leaning over the seats to chat, reaching over the aisle to introduce himself to the Romanian women who spoke no English, leaning over the back of his chair to talk with the people behind him...generally just being obnoxious.

Then, he got plastered.

Not just plastered...embarrasingly, stupidly, stumbling s*#t-faced drunk. Where he badgered everyone around him, randomly would shake my seat and reach over to wake me up, pushed the steward, refused to sit down...you name it.

About 2.5 hours into the flight he got read the absolute riot act of airline travel - threatening him with federal prison if he even moves from his seat. That seemed to calm him down long enough for the drugs he took to kick in and knock him out.

In the meantime, the steward was doing an excellent job to diffuse the situation, so excellent that he bumped me up to first class for remainder of the flight.

Full-flat bed and a quick snooze and now it's London-time.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Departure Day

It's D-Day - the day I take off for London. All my bags are packed and I'm pretty sure I haven't forgotten anything.


Lots of people have asked me if I'm excited and my answer is "Not yet". It still hasn't happened, part of it is probably because I'm going back to London where I'm so familiar - I think we are even staying in the same room. And I think the other part is my complete and utter lack of preparation - I don't even know what to be excited for.

What I do know is that I'll be leaving London next Saturday (May 29th) and flying directly to Ulaan Bataar (capital of Mongolia FYI) which means "Red Hero" in Mongolian. From there...I have absolutely NO idea. I will book a hotel for my first few nights in the capital to get organized, get over jet-lag and get my bearings. I would like to do a 3-4 day trek in rural Mongolia either through the Gobi or in the steppes. But, again, no idea.

And a bit more of what I know - June 15th - July 14th will be in Russia because that is when my visa is valid. And, then China from July 14th - August 15th when I head home.

So - later dudes - I'll catch up with you from England.