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Crossing the Mongolian border is the most sureal experience!

When you finally get allowed out of Russia (probably the most confused border I have ever crossed) they give you your exit visa to hand in and send you on your way. Instead of the normal 30 yards to the final checkpoint and on your way you drive 10km before reaching a gate where you hand over the exist visa.

When the guard is satisfied the gate slides across and the tarmac stops.... literally just like that the road ends - Russian asphalt gives way to Mongolian well desert - its just a track that has been worn to rocks by vehicles - yes I know that everyone says only 100km of road in the whole country but just like that right at the border still seems wierd. Anyway you have to drive on a further few km before the Mongolian check point which I sail through.

On the otherside there is a village / shanty town and kids try and grab things from my open windows as I drive past - I really hope this isnt a taste of what is to come for the whole of Mongolia and anyway where are Road Dwarf!?

I drive on about 5 km - there is only 1 road (I use 'road' in the loosest possible sense of the word) and there are Road Dwarf and a couple of other teams - I am relieved to see so many ralliers having a brew! We stop for about 30mins and catch up on border experiences and who has paid the highest brides / fines. I being as tight as ever have managed to get away with offering a credit card for bribes (which they cannot take ;D) and my bribe total stays at a measly 3 miniture bottles of whiskey!

The change as we come into mongolia is amazing and the scenary just stunning - I can't wait to get deeper into this country!