Rumors of the Orange Duckling’s demise are greatly exaggerated

Okay, so nothing since 26/27 September. Yea, no Internet access. I arrived in Mongolia to the end of the local eagle hunting festival and to Russian shutdown of the power . . . So 13/14 days without an update . . . for me it was 11 days without a shower – the the streak breaker was a cold one ! And the final 2500km (1500 miles) became 4000+km (2500 miles) . . . whose counting !

I’ve had fresh camel milk, slept in a ger with a Mongolian family, been truly scared at how far from anything I was, been awakened in the middle of the night by drunken Mongolian men, used recycled Mongolian tea for a coolant, somehow missed the “guaranteed” Kazak sunset (but did see a storm cloud out of a sci-fi flick – too huge to photo, dispensing water and lightening), snapped my best double rainbow EVER, camped at 6500′ in summer gear, found ice on my radiator cap, rode thru a spectacularly beautiful Russia (again), and . . . have decided to come back next year for part II.

18,000km (11,000 miles)
ONE rear tire.
Eleven countries, two twice (Kazakhstan & Russia)
Best food: Uzbekistan
Worst food: Mongolia
Best eating secret: Just be real hungry – I lost over 12 pounds on the trip.
Worst cultural faux pas: NEVER offer a gloved hand to a Mongolia for a handshake. NEVER.
Biggest Regret: Too few days in Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan

He REALLY liked the new black. He offered to trade me his Ural sidecar model for the Duckling.