B - reporting
Up early and drove back to the road from our campsite up a valley, to take the narrow pass to Tsontengal. The mountains were very rocky, with little vegetation, though there was a small winding river in the valley bottom. We were suprised at the amount of gers along the river, with herds of goats, horses and yaks, as there didn't seem enough grass for them.
Tsontengal is a very odd town, with a huge fence round it, but no gate to close across the road. Left from the Soviet era? It was one of the poorest towns we've seen, with children begging for sweets, and men asking for cigarettes. We didn't need to stop, so drove slowly through (giving sweets away) and headed south for Olgii.
On the road out of town we passed a small car, covered entirely in purple fur: a Mongol Rally competitor!
We crossed another pass, this time over grassy rolling hills, but very high (8,500 feet), and stopped for a cup of tea at the summit.
Driving on, we were astonished to find a tarmac road!! It was like flying...smooth, no potholes or corrugations. We drove at the heady pace of 60kph - surely man was not meant to go this fast.
Olgii is a very pretty town, with a river running through, surrounded by steep hills. This area is populated by the Kazakh people, many of whom are muslim, so there were a couple of mosques. There were pavements to walk on - which we have not seen since Ulaan Baatar! And many steppe eagles, as ubiquitous as pigeons.
After running away from a confusing menu in a confusing restaurant, we found the Blue Wolf cafe and had delicious fried beef and rice, and decided to stay in the ger camp there (showers! laundry!!).
While looking for a bank, we saw an English Fire Engine parked outside...another Mongol Rally vehicle. It was driven by 6 English lads, who bought it off e-bay, as you do. We went round the market with them then headed back to our ger for dinner with French red wine!
Up early and drove back to the road from our campsite up a valley, to take the narrow pass to Tsontengal. The mountains were very rocky, with little vegetation, though there was a small winding river in the valley bottom. We were suprised at the amount of gers along the river, with herds of goats, horses and yaks, as there didn't seem enough grass for them.
Tsontengal is a very odd town, with a huge fence round it, but no gate to close across the road. Left from the Soviet era? It was one of the poorest towns we've seen, with children begging for sweets, and men asking for cigarettes. We didn't need to stop, so drove slowly through (giving sweets away) and headed south for Olgii.
On the road out of town we passed a small car, covered entirely in purple fur: a Mongol Rally competitor!
We crossed another pass, this time over grassy rolling hills, but very high (8,500 feet), and stopped for a cup of tea at the summit.
Driving on, we were astonished to find a tarmac road!! It was like flying...smooth, no potholes or corrugations. We drove at the heady pace of 60kph - surely man was not meant to go this fast.
Olgii is a very pretty town, with a river running through, surrounded by steep hills. This area is populated by the Kazakh people, many of whom are muslim, so there were a couple of mosques. There were pavements to walk on - which we have not seen since Ulaan Baatar! And many steppe eagles, as ubiquitous as pigeons.
After running away from a confusing menu in a confusing restaurant, we found the Blue Wolf cafe and had delicious fried beef and rice, and decided to stay in the ger camp there (showers! laundry!!).
While looking for a bank, we saw an English Fire Engine parked outside...another Mongol Rally vehicle. It was driven by 6 English lads, who bought it off e-bay, as you do. We went round the market with them then headed back to our ger for dinner with French red wine!
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| Smooth road at last, but a traffic jam |
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| Don't think the skull is standard equipment? |
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| The crew and B |
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| Olgii Market |
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