North China/Inner Mongolia, all aboard the Vodka Train

After stocking up on snacks and booze, with our bags pack the twelve us were ready and raring for our first train journey towards inner Mongolia (still within china).

We were all pleased to be apart of the tour when we were told that we had a bus transfer to our evening train journey, relaxing into the thought that for the first time in two weeks we were no longer responsible for haggling taxis (after struggling to wave them down) and trying to purchase train tickets in the right class for an ok price! It was all done for us, we are simply along for the ride! 

Slightly over two hours early we plonked ourselves in a corner and became a watch pot for the locals. Craines and I, a little enthusiastic devoured the majority of our strange alcohol that tasted slightly like over ripe pineapples. Almost like drawing sticks we made our three cabins of four, a lucky dip which was a good chance to mix the groups up.

Boarding the 10:15 pm train already a little giggly, we dominated the carriage and became quite the attraction. Our four bed dorm consisting of myself, craines, Claire from melbourne and david from northern ireland. Decorated with flags, flower crowns and a collection of flasks the four of us bonded, varying with conversations from vibrators to the rights of the indigenous people before too long we called it a night well after 2am.

With a 6am wake up, tired and tattered we reached our destination; Hohhot. Greeted by our honcho Allen we boarded another bus bus to take us to our hotel the gindi hotel. The rooms looked like something from a dirty gentlemens club, with stained rusty green carpet complete with condoms and Viagra on offer to purchase for the frisky. Meeting in the foyer after a quick shower we all decided to head to the inner Mongolian museum, accompanied by a sweet coffee from the donut shop. The highlight of the museum was a group autodance clip that we made, and a giant dinosaur bone.

Heading then to the old city, we visited a lamasery (the biggest in northern china) and learned from an atheist perspective the controversial position of the 14th Dalai lama, where it is forbidden to have photos of him within china. Walking a little further into the old town we found dusty streets lined with gems and trinkets, where David and Fabio found themselves some traditional mongolian costumes… As if twelve white tourists didn’t get enough looks already!

A few of us girls tucked into some delicious Mongolian yogurt (Hohhot being the dairy capital of china … It was only appropriate) and our first non oily abundance of pork dumplings. We then headed back to the hotel via a mosque, a shopping mall that looked like a Scene from Aladdin, and a drug store to stock up. 

All a little exhausted we found ourselves at a cheap diner like restaurant, where I spent a total of 16 yuen ( about $2) for a giant meal and a crisp long neck of local beer. Taking it pretty easy today before our lengthy two night train ride into outer Mongolia (real Mongolia) a few of us have broken off to revive what seems to be another flu coming on with some strawberry oolong and throat healing tea. Next stop; Ger camp, real Mongolia!! Very excited!