Well we've made it to Russia.  We passed through Kazakstan with few real issues and made it into Russia the day before yesterdy.  Kazakstan was a strange place (we seem to be saying that quite a lot...).  It's the most westernised of all the 'stans but still a million miles away from being as well developed as Russia.  We had a good few days driving to get from Uzbekistan through Kazakstan to Russia and everything didn't always go to plan.  Our brakes failed AGAIN but we limped to a garage (with help from our resident mechanic Dave) and the Kazak chaps fixed us up with Lada parts and some ingenious fabrication of any bits they didn't have.  We then had a long couple of days drive to the Russian border.  The roads are pretty shocking - the phrase 'pot hole' takes on a whole new meaning when small children can hide in there!!!  We managed to hit one at a fair speed and now our exhaust is held on with a wire coat hanger and the car is a lot more throaty - nice.

We made it into Russia with few issues.  The border was sloow but that was mainly getting out of Kazakstan.  We'd been camping for 5 days so were looking forward to a shower in a hotel over the border - unfortunately after trying about 10 we couldn't find enough rooms for our convoy so had to find a field and pitch tents.  We covered the 260km to a large Russian town called Barnaul yesterday and checked into the best hotel in town.  Last night we went to a local night club which was interesting to say the least...  Good fun though and the hangover is making today a struggle!

Now we have about 600km to cover to the Mongol...[Read More]