October 24, 2004
The road to Russia.
Photo by Todd Borgie
| Logbook for Oct. 24th, Day 359 | ||
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Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: 9:50 a.m. N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 |
Finish: Semey, Kazakhstan Time: 2:30 a.m. N: 50* 24.906 E: 080*15.598 | Mileage: 673 |
| Notes: We had a slow start this morning because we had Internet work to do, and then we had a difficult time navigating out of the city. Lots of traffic. Nancy had the good fortune of driving with Ivan, and he has proven himself invaluable already. The roads here are well-paved, but bumpy. Curious locals asked about our expedition at every stop (who are you, where are you from, what are you doing?), and they all wished us success and luck. We arrived in Semey very tired. We're really, really, REALLY grateful for Ivan. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
October 23, 2004
Our new guide, Ivan. Ivan lives in Novosibirsk, and he has agreed to ride there with us. How cool is that?
Photo by Nancy Olson
| Logbook for Oct. 23rd, Day 358 | ||
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Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 |
Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 | Mileage: 000 |
| Notes: It has become apparent that we will need to have an interpreter to make traveling through Kazakhstan and Russia possible. We called around to try to find one this morning, then we went shopping at a large local market. We were looking for warm gear for Siberia. Had some luck, but it wasn't a complete success. While packing to leave in the evening, Nick met Ivan Birukov, a Michelin sales rep from Novosibirsk, outside in hte parking lot. His client, Tyres Plus, aligned our wheels while Ivan considered our offer to join the team for the drive to Novosibirsk. After dinner and a few beverages, Ivan agreed. YEA! He's awesome, and we desperately need him. Welcome aboard, Ivan! (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
October 22, 2004
Heading to the Kazakhstan border, through China.
Photo by Todd Borgie
| Logbook for Oct. 22nd, Day 357 | ||
|
Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 |
Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 | Mileage: 000 |
| Notes: Tried to get our Russian visas, again. We waited outside from 0900-1230, again. They wouldn't let us in, again. The gate guard was a real piece of work. I'd like to teach him a thing or two about manners, but he's a lot bigger than I am. We had luck with Pastor Green's family, and we met his daughters, who are in a band called "Shades of Green." They're all Texans, and one of their friends (who was also at lunch) is a former Marine AND a Texan, so of course Nancy felt at home. The rest of the crew felt like vomiting, but that's nothing new. After lunch, Nick and Todd went back at 4:00 p.m. and strong-armed the little consulate guy into issuing us some visas. So, finally, we are all set!(N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
October 21, 2004
This was taken in China, near the Kazakhstan border.
Photo by Todd Borgie
| Logbook for Oct. 21st, Day 356 | ||
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Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 |
Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 | Mileage: 000 |
| Notes: The Russian consulate (baby embassy) is closed today, so this was a rest day. We all had a family-style dinner tonight. Tomorrow, we resume visa work. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
October 20, 2004
The road to Almaty, in Kazakhstan. We headed due West (almost) from the border to reach Almaty.
Photo by Todd Borgie
| Logbook for Oct. 20th, Day 355 | ||
|
Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 |
Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: N/A N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 | Mileage: 000 |
| Notes: We worked on getting our Russian visas today, but the embassy closed the door for the day as soon as we were next in line. Rats. But Chanda and Todd received help from a travel agency, and we'll have our visas soon. We might be able to leave by Friday. So, we rested today and then went out to explore Almaty's night life. Not bad. We heard some bands play American music. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
October 19, 2004
Chanda hams it up at the Kazakhstan/China border. Strut your stuff, girlfren!
Photo by Todd Borgie (or Nancy Olson?)
| Logbook for Oct. 19th, Day 354 | ||
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Start: Jinghe, China Time: 9:23 a.m. N: 44* 36.185 E: 082* 53.161 |
Finish: Almaty, Kazakhstan Time: 12:00 a.m. N: 43* 15.021 E: 076* 56.705 | Mileage: 358 |
| Notes: We pushed on to the China/Kazakhstan border, and we got through with little trouble. We had to wait several hours for them to return from their lunch break, but it was smooth sailing from there. The change from China to Kazakhstan was drastic. This new country reminds us of late70's/early 80's U.S.A., and we really like it. It's difficult to navigate because of the funny writing on the street signs, but we managed to find a hotel with the help of a taxi driver, and we're all jammed cozily into a double-occupancy room at the Hotel Almaty. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
