October 27th - 31st Ulaanbaatar - Moscow

4 Nights 6266km 96.5hrs travel time.

MMh I can hear you say well It was a terrific trip probably one of my highlights of the year. We psent our time chatting with the locals on the Train particularly October from Moscow & Altansuvd from Mongolia.

As we arrived at the Russian border we were told it could take up to 11hrs to complete the searches and paperwork. The locals we have been travelling with are stashing contraband in any orifice on the train goods are being hidden in Ceiling panels and under mattresses anywhere possible. As the authorities start to board the train the locals are looking prietty anxious about the whole thing.. Well we were lucky to be cleared from customs after 7hrs evryone is celebrating that they got through. Next station the traders jump onto the platform selling everything as fast as possible as the train starts to move off they are running to jump back on.. This happened on every station.

As the train passes by some amazing scenery from rolling hills covered in snow to fields of green and local homesteads. We travel past Lake Baikhal which is one 5th of the fresh water of the world. we travel around the most southerly point offering us some spectacular views..

We spend 5 days feasting on noodles the Russian dining car was not a good place to be. this was the meeting car for all of the traders. to smoke, gamble and share the profits of the days earnings.

As we approach Moscow the scenery changes to being very industrial with buildings, chimneys pouring smoke out into the air.