The Siberian Express

We did not actually ride the Siberian Express because it is only a rumor. The trip is actually several different trains that eventually brings you to Vladivostok the terminus for the Siberian Express. We started our trip from Beijing on the Mongolian Express which terminates in Irkutsk where we became part of the Siberian railway route. The trip from Irkutsk to Moscow involved three and one half days. We crossed the line that marks the border of Asia and Europe along the way. If you do the entire Siberian route, it will take over 7 days and cover almost 9,000 kilometres. Our trip from Beijing cover over 7,000 kilometres, 5 nights and 6 days on the train.

We were joined in our four bed compartment by two Australian brothers about our age. They were at the beginning of what would be a four month trip through China, Mongolia, Russian and most of Europe. They were on their way to Berlin where a friend had purchased a camper van for them. They kept the trip interesting with their banter and continuous nattering at each other. We first met them at Galena's as they were staying there as well. We were also joined by the Taylor family whom we had spent some time with in Mongolia. They and their son Rory were going as far as Yekaterinburg.

Travel by train through Siberia is hard work and all done from a sitting position. Sleeping, eating, reading and playing, all while enjoying the changing landscape. Every once in a while, jumping off at a station to stretch and purchase various food stuffs to eat along the way. Eating in the dining car was always an experience. The staff were the most disinterested lot you could find anywhere. Taking your order was like having gall stones, painful, seemed to take for ever and totally unsatisfying when it was over. All that and you had to pay for it. It was so bad, it was actually funny. The bad service of the Siberian Express is a well documented phenomena and I now have the pictures which I will post at a later date.

The trip was a dream of mine for many years, not sure about Nonie. One more check in the box. Next stop, Mother Russian and the Kremlin. Pictures to follow.