By Nico & Marijke

On the way to Biger

Thursday May 9.

In the morning we were cleaning up the gers and loading our stuff into the cars. Then a cup of coffee and milk tea with cake in the sun.

We then went to the project for a photo session with the employees. As hospitable as they are, they didn’t let us leave without lunch.

During a stop at an ATM we had a chance meeting with a truck driver from Kazakhstan. He gave us information and a bar of Kazakhstan chocolate.

Tsedevsuren (head of the project) and a number of staff members escorted us to the edge of the city. Dirk was presented with a plaque there.

We drove about 37-42 km on asphalt, then off-road again. Despite the GPS, we still had to find the right way. Also informed a number of times by shepherds on motorcycles.

We set up camp near Tieg (a place name where nomads live).

At one point I noticed that the right front tire of the Model T was flat. Dirk put the car on a jack.

In the evening, a young man came by from Bajanghongor on a brand new motorcycle, fully packed with, among other things, two jerry cans of gasoline. I saw a trickle of gasoline running from one of the jerry cans. Dirk repaired this jerry can. Fortunately for the man, he only had to drive 10 km to his ger.

Friday May 10

Dirk has put a new tire on his right front wheel. After this we drove across the steppe again.

While taking a coffee break, we noticed a bulging right rear tire on the Model T. The outer tire appeared to be torn. Put the car back on the jack and changed the wheel. Meanwhile we saw a shepherd driving his horses to another place.

Continued after the break.

At a next stop we heard a hissing sound from the Model T. The men thought it was a torn valve. Another wheel change!

We continued driving along the delta of a river without any problems. We looked for a river crossing. Dirk tested a number of spots in the river using a shovel. However, without results.

We set up tents near Baatsagaan during a strong wind.

Saturday May 11

During the night the wind had died down. After breakfast Dirk and Nico repaired a tire.

We drove to the village. There turned out to be no electricity there until the evening. At the gas station they turned on a generator for us so we could refuel.

A man who had taken us to the gas station now took us to the correct route towards Biger. It was a beautiful route: at first through the steppe, but soon the roads became sandier. Higher sand dunes appeared to our left and right. The roads were like a fairground attraction. The Land Rover and the Model T danced over these roads.

The Model T got stuck. With the help of the Land Rover, the Model T was pulled free again.

It was a hot and tiring day today.

Sunday May 12

We started with little wind and blue skies. Oko had planned to sing “the Camelsong” with Dirk against a background of mountains and camels. This was captured on film.

After this we continued our journey. The first half of the route was not too bad, but after that it became “a washboard” again.

With a big “ovo” Dirk sacrificed the torn tire.

At Horhoo there was an oasis. Dirk freshened up in the cool water.

We set up our tent camp about 6-7 km before Biger.