The first leg of the journey!

View Route in a larger map

Here's a map of the initial route we're taking. Starting with a flight from Luton to Amsterdam, then flying from Amsterdam to Warsaw, then by train from Warsaw to Krakow, followed by a train back from Krakow to Warsaw!
Then back on the plane from Warsaw to Saint Petersberg (8 hour stopover at Riga) and finally train it from Saint Petersberg to Moscow! All in 12 days. Stressful much?
On the 12/4 at 21:30 local time we board the Trans-Mongolian bound for Ulan Bator!

Food for the Tran-Siberian train and survival food in Mongolia

Picked up some dry food from Aldi (German discount store) today to sample for keeping us alive in Mongolia and on the Trans-Siberian train.
The idea is that we can cook something quick and easily on a stove in Mongolia or utilising the Samovar on the train. Not the most nutritious offerings but no doubt quite tasty when only eye-balls and testicles are on offer by a kind nomad. Or we haven't eaten anything all day!
Said nomad-person might be quite delighted with the taste of 'Curry' flavour Instant Noodles!

Here's what I picked up:

• Instant Noodles - Curry, Bacon and Chicken
• 'Pasta & Sauce' - Tomato, onion and herb flavour
• 'Savoury Risotto Rice' - Tomato, red and green peppers and onion
• 'Couscous' - Hot and Spicy flavour with raisins, sunflower seeds, dried peppers and herbs
• Sunflower seed Rye bread - expires in Nov'11. Must be good.
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Garlic, black pepper and sea salt grinder - Will jazz up borsch no end.

and for afters:

• 'Moser Roth'  Finest Dark Chocolate - 5 individually wrapped bars in each. 70% and 85% cocoa content respectfully. 

Any thoughts on food items that are reasonably light and non-perishable?

Sampling starts this weekend!

Visa Applications submitted!

Visa applications have landed! Fingers crossed that my passport is back on time for my mates Amsterdam stag doo.
Leaving the UK traveling on the 31/3/11, 16:35 flight to AMS! Amsterdam in twice in as many weeks!

Any travelers going to be there around that time fancy a beer? "Schmoke and a pancake" as Austin Powers would say.

Russian ph(r)ase book - Lifesaver?

Here it is! Went to WHSmiths today after sending my Russia/China/Mongolia visas to be processed and saw this little gem on the shelf. My basic (very basic) Russian is OK, Hello / Goodbye, My name is / What is your name etc. This is essential!

It's got some very useful phrases in there I will no doubt need(All phonetic):
Ya na pil sa. - I've had one too many.
Ya mirt vyet ski pya nih - I'm pissed.

Plus this life saver when I'm rotting in some distant Siberian jail with just Boris for company:
Ab ni mi min ya. - Hold me.

Top marks Lonely Planet!

Shaky face