The Mongol Rally 2012 - Recent Updates

Guys, just finished the write up, I'm not sure how to upload it mind. So when I figure it out,... ...

Well that's it folks, the adventure is over and we are back on the beautiful roads of the UK. Thanks to all who have sponsored and helped us along the way. Pictures and videos will go up in next few days. Danny and David, The Team of Choice

Made it!! Only 8 miles and got onto good roads, here for 12. Just shaken hands with no.10 for FC Milsani in the park!! Awesome :-D Aktobe FC all the way for us though.....

Flights home booked for friday- too expensive to do the trans Siberian train unfortunately...an adventure to do some other time :-D been to a Buddhist centre today- amazing place with huge bronze statue. Seeing the lotus children's foundation's work in action on Thursday too.

Off to Russian embassy to see if we can get visas for trans Siberian train...if not fly home Friday all being well :-) Buddhist monks also to be visited today :-D

At finish line, cool set up. Bar and hotel sorted. Just been to the only mexican-Indian restaurant in UB....according to menu, we think world!

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Absolutely epic minibus journey!! Set off Thursday at 14:00 and have just booked into our hotel at 18:00 on Saturday!! Cramped and uncomfortable, we have at least been treated to Mongolian traditional singing and traditional goats cheese that has been hardened :-S Danny had goat stew for breakfast and David crisps! But made it, complete paperwork tomo and work out how to get home! @

We are on a coach with 18 others, designed for 12!! Have been traveling for 30 hours straight. Still 600km to UB!! Tired but its still our adventure :-) the others on coach bought vodka to celebrate 2 Mongolian medals at the olympics!! Had to oblige of course....

Sorry no signal through the Altai mountains. Amazing place, camped in middle of nowhere last night. Moon as bright as the sun!! Unfortunately today, 6 miles from Kovd the car has broken- mechanics unable to fix :-( we are devastated. Have managed to get a tow to the drop off point and now in hotel....in silence!! Getting coach to UB tomorrow- will be 2-3 days. Then heading home. Sorry everyone we've done everything we can.

David & Danny Video now on site for people to click on to view. Please link any photos or other... ...

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At a very closed border. Still we will be in Mongolia tomo morning :-D amazing mountain range we're in, spectacular

50 miles from Mongolian border :-) have to wait till tomorrow to cross as shut 1 hour ago!! Going well, high spirits, bring it on...

Wow massive day, some maverick direction work by David and a quick border crossing and we should be at the foot of the mountains by end of today!! Then it's really interesting.....

Just past the border, again went smoothly. Asked if we had any guns!! Hopefully be at Mongolian border in 2 days :-)

Made it, cheap room found, meat and cheese baguette eaten :-) Back into Russia tomo :-( 5,600 miles down!!

Home calling The Team of Choice.......... excellent video, now stop breaking the car !!! From:- The management ...

Massive thankyou to Jolly Potters who donated a spare spring any arm and to 'Second to none' for helping fit it!!

Rear suspension just broken!! Middle of nowhere. Anyone know number for Kazakhstan AA??

Massive thunderstorm in the capital. We've decided to drive on rather than sightseeing....heading to pavlodar now

Shared a video: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150971249049503 ...

(# 'a la' yes I spotted the mistake!) Change of plan, been sent the wrong way by petrol station so off to Kokshetau tonight. Still on track just longer day tomo! Just stopped at well in village to top up water, started pumping but no water....only for local to come and show me the tap!! Modern technology confuses me everytime!!

If any of you are in contact with the guys can you ask them to post photies of the journey? ...

Heading straight for capital Astana today. Hopefully get better roads. Yesterday hit awesome motorway- perfect for going the speed limit ;-) only to have a large hole in it that destroyed a tyre!! But this country is awesome, people so nice and asking where we are from. Landscape alla 'Of Mice and Men' with Savannah and alfalfa (or whatever they're growing!) @

Just setting up camp for the night, by a lovely lake. Just hope we don't get moved again like last night!! Mad day, driven silly mileage!! 4600 miles down :-D

Made it!! Only 8 miles and got onto good roads, here for 12. Just shaken hands with no.10 for FC Milsani in the park!! Awesome :-D Aktobe FC all the way for us though.....

1st bad day. This road is horrible!! Got 130 miles down it today, 180 left tomo!! Camping on side of road tonight with our friends Lena and Jonny who have been on this road two days now!! Sweet dreams all X@

40mins to cross the border, friendly people....we like Kazakhstan!!! Just made tonights place to stop, Atyrau.

Wow 40plus degrees today. Walked a few miles round the city, really nice place. People alot happier than we've found most Russians to be. Going down to the river this afternoon for paddle. Can't wait for Kazakhstan though, leave tomo morning :-D

3400 miles down! Have 2 days here and what a place to kill time!! Best part of Russia we've been definately. Even an I Max cinema! On the river and 37degrees at 7:30pm. Drove through 4 hours of savannah to get here, well worth it. Now where to sleep.....

just gone down to the banks of the river for a paddle and cool down and bump into 4 lads from Italy doing the rally in an ambulance! As you do

Morning all, its 12:30pm here and we're hot footing it out of here!! Not a nice place- we have video evidence... Off down the M6 now :-)

No hotels take Visa...and we have no cash!! So driven all the way to the former Stalingrad!!

We made it!! 2.5 hours through Russian customs and we're well into our Russian leg. Just looking for a place to sleep!!

Just into customs, got insurance for Russia sorted at least- don't think they asked if we'd had an accident in last 5 years!! Donetsk had good vibes, uni town....too much 'five-0' around though!! Still that's Ukraine done 2900 miles down :-D

spent last night in a carpark in the middle of nowhere!! Security guard let us stay till 6am for 80p. So early start and we are in Donetsk. Another beautiful day, it was 31 degrees at 11pm last night!!

Kiev really nice, busy city buzz, wide streets and everywhere in Ukraine is really clean- no litter. You feel its quite European until there's a soviet rocket monument or a tank you drive past! Right off to Donetsk!! 2350 miles down :-)

Greetings from Kiev. 2300 miles down. Looks pretty cool. Report to follow.....

in middle of a massive electrical storm!! No hotels take card so its another night in car :-D

Arrived after a horrible mountain pass reduced us to about 20mph for 1hr!! Massive craters, sign of things to come- sat nav at its fine ** some text is missing **

There's a lot of camo and that place name began with a three! Are just a couple of phrases used now in Ukraine. Took 1hour to get through customs but on way to lviv. Should get there mid afternoon. Amazing mountain pass we're driving through :-)

Okay well sat nav thinks best way into Ukraine for Lviv is back into Slovakia! On our way, see how far we get tonight. Prob sleep in Slovakia. Just seen 3 hawks sat on posts looking into a field. Tres cool!

Alot larger than previous two capitals- lost the car!! Just leaving now to find a place to stop tonight, heading towards Ukraine

Just parked in centre after argument with gypsy cleaning our windows at truck stop. 28 degrees :-D

Morning world, bright blue sky this morning. Time for some proper sight seeing in Bratislava and then on to Budapest this evening :-)

Just arrived at a little hostel on a steep hill just outside town centre. Looks amazing, can't wait to explore tomo. Weather seems to be picking up too :-) 1400 miles down and 5th country entered.....@

wet wet wet :-( sure this place is great in the sunshine, but wandering round without a clue where you're going in the rain isn't so fun. Going to head towards Slovakia this afternoon and see how far we get@

just parked up and walking round :-)

Slight change of plan....off to Prague tomo- rude not too! Then Bratislava Tues and Budapest Wed :-D

Danny slept in till 11:30. Not much to do during day!! Playing rugby awaiting the party tonight :-)

Just arrived after 12 hours on the road. 1080 miles down :-D stunning country to drive through but so glad to be here!! Party time tomo, just setting up camp....

No not catching a plane just past it on the motorway. David's observation....everything in Germany is made of glass!! Just on the longest motorway on earth, or feels like it A3 across Germany and its finally sunny :-D

second Burger King of trip :-) I've stolen a crown and the Germans don't like it!

Arrived at hotel, awesome- some luxury!! Shower and breakfast in the morning then across Germany :-) Made good time from Calais. Its like wacky races out there with all the random Mongol rally cars on the road!!@

Dover Well goodbye England, we'll see you when we get back!

Just arrived at the white cliffs....ferry at 7:15....easy this init!!

And we're off! Just past Leyland :-D ...

Awake at 6:30, bath running, final chance of some relaxation!! Set off from wrea green at 9am driving to Goodwood... ...

Okay so roof box is on, car looking and running well, tent, tools etc in place.....not long now!! :-D ...

By Jove, we're almost there! :D ...

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The car has just arrived at Team of Choice HQ, and it's looking pretty sweet! Photos over the next... ...

Hey guys!Right so there's under 3 weeks till we set off and I think its time for the first blog.....Things... ...