Our week in UlaanBaatar was uneventful but productive. We were warm and happy in Oasis, and had a yard to work on the car in (so we rotated the tyres and got the car cleaned). We visited the Natural History Musuem, on Thursday because it's closed Monday and Tuesday and Fintan was hungover on Wednesday! So we did get to see all the dinosaurs - very cool. It looked like they were the original remains because the bones had numbers written on them. I, accidently, broke off the tap for our water tank so we looked for a new one. The hardware trading area was next door to the coal depot - piles and piles of coal with men shovelling them into sacks, pretty disgusting and dirty. We had coffee and chocolate croissants in the French Bakery, and a jingle like an ice cream truck went passed, only it was the bin men! We met a couple in the hostel who were travelling into China on the same day, through the same border, with the same company!! But we had never been put in touch with each other… They had lots more information than us, and I began to worry. I sent an email asking for more information and had no reply for 3 days! Fintan and I discussed how long we would wait for a reply before heading to Ulaan Ude and onto Vladivostok to get the ferry to Japan! Eventually we did have a reply, but still decided to meet Thomas and Verena at the border and cross together - safety in numbers!
We drove south to Sainshand. The road was ok, but after about 200km it disintergrated to a dirt track again… but not anywhere as bad as in Western Mongolia! On the way we passed an open cast mine with the trainline running alongside… but no railings, or fence. All a bit strange. Because there was no road at this part we drove right up alongside it!
The next day we filled up with diesel again and continued to Zamin Uud, the border town, a real Wild West town. The road alternated from good tarmac to dirt track. On the way we saw eagles, owls and vultures, not really and mammals except horses, sheep and goats. We followed the train line to Zamin Uud and found a hotel. The Crown Hotel had water only from 6pm, to 6am, and no hot water. But they did have a kettle, so I heated water and washed in the bucket! Better than nothing!
The receptionist was very nice though, she took us to The Green Corner "English Pub" - nice, but strange… set out like an English pub, with Mongolian food and overlooking the square. So it was great for people watching! Seeing the Russian Jeeps being unloaded was incredible. One jeep had 6 people and so much luggage there were even bags in the bonnet.
So we were all set for crossing into China… anxious and nervous… I didn't sleep much!