So far we only have our itinerary completely organized for the first three months of our trip... the rest of it will be published here as we learn more.

 

 

Russia: September 25 through October 2nd

 

September 25th we flew from Düsseldorf to Moscow and spent the days of the 25th and 26th exploring the Russion capital. Naturally, we did not have much time to see the entire city, but we did manage to learn 7 important things in Moscow.

 

On the night of the 26th, we boarded the Trans-Siberian railroad and began our 86 hour journey East toward the heart of Asia. Along the way we picked up an omul and had to learn by trial and error how to eat a smoked fish with an (almost) useless pen knife while on the train.

 

We arrived in Ulan Ude on the 30th of September. The next day we hopped on a local bus and drove down to lake Baikal to spend a day exploring a small section of the shores of one of the world's most mythical lakes. We returned to Ulan Ude that night before catching the bus to Ulan Bator on the morning of the 2nd of October.

 

You can see all of our Moscow, Trans-Siberian, lake Baikal and Ulan Ude photos on our Flikr account.

 

 

Mongolia: October 2nd through October 27th

 

We arrived in Mongolia via bus from Ulan Ude in Russia. The bus was definitely the way to go as it was less expensive than taking the Trans-Mongolian and as an added bonus, you actually get to see some of the country as the train usually makes the crossing during the night. We arrived in Ulan Bator on the night of the 2^nd of October; unfortunately we did not have a chance to explore the capital as we caught a plane early the next morning for Olgii and Western Mongolia.

 

From the 3^rd through the 6^th of October we took full advantage of Olgii and more importantly the Eagle Hunter Festival, where we spent two days watching Kazakh men show off their falconing skills, but with Golden Eagles instead of hawk.

 

On the 7^th of October through the 15^th life took an amazing turn as we crammed ourselves into a Russian van and headed into the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for a 6 day adventure living with nomadic families and exploring one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

 

On October 16^th we learned how to cram 12 people into a Russian van as we made the trip trom Olgii to Khovd.

 

October 17^th found us back in the Capital, but on the 19^th it was time to go again, this time, destination Gobi Desert. On this adventure we learned how Mongolian drivers know how to navigate when there are no roads, watched a camel being ridden for the first time, and even rode camels and horses.

 

Before heading back to Ulan Bator, we made a quick, three day journey into Central Mongolia, where we first got caught in a snowstorm, visited Karakorum, Erdene Zu and some other fabulous sites. John also learned the ancient art of Mongolian Goat boxing. Check out all of the photos here.

 

October 25^th, we were back in Ulan Bator. On the 27, we were again on the train, this time destination China.

 

 

China: October 28th through November 20th

 

China was quite an experience and in many ways almost otherworldly. Bekki recounts our adventure in her article "Bienvenue en Chine", while John spent much of his time trying to figure out "Where is Bekki?". John was probably out looking for Bekki in part because sign translated into English often do not make sense. Here we compiled a series of  Foo'ni Chai'ni Tansla'Shun.  

 

Here is our itinerary:

 

October 28^th – 30th: Datong with a day visit to the Yungman Caves.

 

October 31^st – November 3^rd: Pingyao

 

November 4^th – 5^th: Li Jai Shan cliff village                 

 

November 6^th: Hard-seater, overnight train to Xi’an    

 

November 7^th – 9^th: Xi’an with a bike ride around the old city wall and a visit to the terracotta wariors.

 

November 10^th: Gudiangcun village

 

November 11^th – 12^th: Kaifeng city and its living pasta.

 

November 13^th: Overnight train to Beijing.

 

November 14^th – 19^th: Beijing: Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China.

 

November 20^th: Flight to Bangkok

 

 

 

Thailand: November 20th to December 11th

 

November 20^th – 25^th: Bangkok

 

November 26^th: Overnight train to Saratani and bus to Krabi on the 27^th.

 

November 27^th: Krabi

 

November 28^th – December 4^th: Koh Pu. Peace Paradise Resort.

 

December 5^th – 7^th: Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay.

 

December 8^th: Overnight bus to Bangkok.

 

December 9^th – 10^th: Bangkok

 

 

 

Myanmar: December 11th to January 7th, 2014

 

December 11^th – 12^th: Yangon.

 

December 13^th: Kipun, Mount Kyaito and the Golden Rock

 

December 14^th – 15^th: Mawlamyine and Bilu (Ogre) Island.

 

December 16^th – 17^th: Hpa-an (by longtail boat from Mawlamyine)

 

December 18^th: Taungoo

 

December 19^th: Kalaw

 

December 20^th – 22^nd: Hike to Inle lake from Kalaw through Shan villages

 

December 23^rd – 25^th: Inle Lake (Nang Shwe)

 

December 26^th – 29^th: Bagan and its temples.

 

December 30^th – 31^st: Hsipaw

 

January 1^st – 3^rd: Trekking through tribal villages in Shan State

 

January 4^th: Hispaw

 

January 5^th: Pyin Oo Lwin

 

January 6^th: Mandalay

 

 

Thailand (Part 2)

 

January 7^th – 15^th: Chiang Mai (we needed a break)

 

January 16^th – 19^th: Organic farm

 

January 20^th: Chiang Rai

 

 

Laos

January 21^st – February 11^th (more or less)

 

 

Cambodia

February 12^th – March 4^th (more or less)

 

 

Vietnam

Until last week in March

 

 

Indonesia

April through May

 

 

USA

June 16^th – August 1^st

 

Return to Europe.