Ulaanbaatar

Gandantegchenling Monastery




























Winter Palace of Bogd Khan











Dinner with the locals. Dumplings and rice whilst watching Mongolian X Factor.

10,004 miles

Ulaanbaatar. I'm in Ulaanbaatar. I've just ridden my motorcycle to Ulaanbaatar. I have you know, I've just ridden my motorcycle to Ulaanbaatar.

I thought I'd better write that a couple of times. I'm unlikely to ever be able to write it again.

Erdine Zuu Khiid

Did you know.....Mongolia has the world's lowest population density: 1.4 persons per square kilometer?

Seven days ago I entered Mongolia and today I reached tarmac after 1,405km (878 miles). That's the equivalent of Lands End to John O'Groats off-road.

Lunch with the locals - the children all sat on the bed and watched me eat my mutton & noodle soup whilst the men of the house studied my map and read the Lonely Planet guide to Mongolia.

After lunch another river crossing.

In the evening I decided to treat myself to a hotel, but managed to find one without a shower. So it was off to the local bathhouse. I couldn't quite decide if it reminded me more of an abatoir or a torture chamber, but the shower was good.

Random Mongolia Fact: Mongolia is one of the highest countries in the world, with an average elevation of 1580 meters.

Oops!

Concerned parents, please look away now.

Khovd, Mongolia

The 220km journey from Olgii to Khovd took 9 hours, including four river crossings (which were more than my Slovenian freezer bags could cope with). There were times when I seriously thought I was on the wrong track, I couldn't believe I was on the main road to anywhere, but I asked every Mongol herdsman I came across (I came across 3) and they confirmed I was going the right way.

Olgii, Mongolia

Olgii is 90 degrees due east of London, which means I've now ridden a quarter of the way around the world.



I know how you all love a nice road picture.
This snow covered dirt track is what passes for a main road in Mongolia. The first 12km took one and a half hours. Only 2,000km to go.



On leaving the tent this morning I discovered some rather large feline-shaped footprints in the snow. Apparantly Mongolia is home to the snow leopard.

Mongolia

Ah, to be in Mongolia, now that summer's here.

The Altai Mountains, Russia

Lovely smooth tarmac, twisty roads and alpine scenery. The only downside is I'm having to miss Ascot week to be here.