All packed and hoping to be under 50 pounds. KP is here after chasing thunderstorms that never materialized. \240Off to mom’s at 11:30 tomorrow.

At the airport!! \240Having lunch before we board the plane for Brussels.

Brussel!! Arrived at 8am local time. Waiting for the gate for the flight to Moscow to be posted. \240Flight to Moscow about 3.5 hours.

Arrived in Moscow from Brussels. 3 hour flight which we all slept most of the way. 66 degrees F/ 19 C. \240Cloudy.

The Sherematova airport has been really spiffed \240up. No visible machine guns and a Starbucks!! \240And a high end a duty free shop.

Very different from when we first came in 1994.

Arrived in Moscow around 3:45 on Thursday and headed to the hotel. The Rossiya is gone!! Beautiful park named after the area of Moscow. Hope to check it out later.

Kempinski hotel is beautiful- very different than what we are used to. Ate dinner in the hotel and headed to bed.

Around the World in 18 Days: day 2 (Moscow): bit cloudy and chilly today. Went to the Pushkin Museum and, fortuitously, there was a special exhibition on Impressionists. This was the collection of Sergei Shchukin that was taken by \240the revolutionaries in 1917 and split between the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. It has not been seen together in one place since then. There were pictures we had never seen!! Great visit!!

Around the World in 18 Days: August 17 (Saturday): Moscow. Chilly and rainy today.

Busy day- we went to a craft/souvenir market called Ismailova. The guide had a lovely tour of the museum and Ismailova Kremlin planned. We quickly rearranged the schedule as we wanted to shop. Its a tradition to go to Ismailova!!!

Rained on and off most of the day. Still had a great time- found some lovely crafts.

Around the World in 18 Days: Sunday, August 18, Day4, Moscow. \240Cloudy and a bit chilly to partly sunny. Today was a pretty quiet day. After breakfast we went over to the new park that is next to Red Square -Zaryadye Park. It is on the site of the old Rossiya Hotel. \240A beautiful park- lots of flowers and trees.

There is also a “free floating” walkway that goes out over the Moscow River. Very cool.

A big difference in Moscow this time is all the flowers. They are everywhere. Almost like Paris!!

Around the World in 18 days: day 5 , August 19, Moscow. \240We joined the tour today and had a wonderful day touring Moscow!! \240City tour, subway tour, Old Arbat, and a tour of the Kremlin!!

Moscow is packed with tourists- like being in Paris or London. I have never seen it luke this- amazing.

We then got on the train- a 5:50 pm departure. Once we figured out where to store our luggage, we were good!!

Dining car is a bit tight- andthe food was passable.

Around the World in 18 Days: day 6, Tuesday, August 30: Kazan.

Last night was our first night on the train and it was quite the adventure. Very rocky and noisy. Will take a little getting used to.

We had breakfast on the train-typical Russian “breakfast buffet”. Cheese, meats, bread, and porridge. They were also serving omelets. \240Not the fancy breakfast at our Moscow hotel, but just fine.

Beautiful day today- bright and sunny. In the low 70’s.

Kazan is the sixth largest city in Russia and has a large Muslim population.

Visited the main Mosque and the Kazan Kremlin. \240

We went to see a traditional Kazan folk show, which while a bit corny, was still fun.

Had lunch on an old boat (the ramp was a bit scary). Also had a cooking class where we learned some traditional Kazan dishes.

We also walked through an old Kazan village where the buildings were wooden and painted. Very pretty. \240Back to the train around 3. Departed Kazan at 3:12 (exactly)!

Tomorrow we are off to Yekaterinberg- where Czar Nicholas and his wife Alexandra and their children were held before being executed in 1918.

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 7, August 21: Yekaterinburg. Named after Catherine the Great. Named by Peter the Great in honor of his mother.

Chilly and cloudy as we hot off the train. Sun came out very soon.

This is where the border between Europe and Asia is located.

Very industrial city.

First stop was a memorial to victims of Stalin. 20,000 bodies found in this location.

Around the Worldbin 18 Days: Day 8, Thursday, August 22:Novosibirsk.

Arrived late in the day (around 4:30) and did a short tour of the City. Viewed the river and the Opera House.

We had dinnervin town- not a bad meal, chicken, potaoes. Good Siberian beer.

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 9: August 23: on the train between Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. The date on Journo entry is a day late.

Day was sunny on and off, then there was a horrendous thunderstorm that evening. Quite the lightning show.

There was a lecture on Lake Baikal- the deepest and largest fresh water lake in the world. Was hoping to swim, but it will be too cold.

We then had a concert. The violinist is Svetlana from tje National Symphony Orchestra. She played a nice mix of classical (Vivaldi and Bach), \240as well as more modern- Alleluia, Pink Panther, Godfather, the Entertainer. The train also served bubbling Russian wine (cant call it champagne).

Around the world in 18 days: Day 10, August 24, Irkutsk. Arrived around 8:30 this morning and we were off!

Cloudy and rain presicted on and off all day. But, we are prepared!!!

First stop was to look at a couple of churches.

Around the World in 18 Days, Day 11: Sunday, August 25: Lake Baikal

Today started out as a beautiful sunny day!! We arrived in Port Baikal around 8:45. We got off the train and walked to a boat which took us to Listvyanka Village which was across the lake.

Around the World in 18 days: Monday, August 26, Ulan Ude, Russia.

Arrived around 8:30 in Ulan-Ude. It is cloudy and rainy today. \240Hope the rain holds off until we are back on the train. Ulan Ude is located in the Buryat Republic of Russia. There is a distinct Mongolian-Asian influence in the features of the people.

This is our last day in Russia. Tomorrow we go on to Mongolia. We will spend tomorrow night in a yurt. That should be interesting.

First stop was a buddhist monastery. Tibetan Buddhism is a common religion for the Buryat Republic. Although 66 percent of population is ethnic \240Russian, the traditional Buryat people are Buddhists.

There are approximately 985,000 people living in the Buryat Republic, and area about 351,000 square kilometers. It is about the same size as Germany. 85 percent of R epublic is covered in forest and half the population lives in the city of Ulan Ude.

Ulan-Ude is located in a valley between two mountain ranges and isb considered part of the steppes.

The Buryat Republic experiences extreme temperatures; it can be as low as -40C (which is also -40 F). \240December and January are the two coldest months and average -32c. \240When it is -40c kids can stay home from school. Even at -32 middle school and high school have to go to school. \240If you work, you go regardless of the temperature!!

June and July can be as hot as as 39 to 40 C (100-104 F).

Forest fires a common problem here. Due to the dry nature of the climate. Not an issue this year but other areas in Siberia having forest fire problems.

Visited the Ivalgynsky Buddhist Monastery.

Followed by a great folklore show. Both Buryat musicians and traditional Cossack musicians.

We then went to an exhibit of a traditional Buryat home- complete with a yurt. We were served a delicious meal of Buryat dumplings which are quite revered in Buryat. Had the opportunity to play Buryat games, try on traditional Buryat costumes and tour the garden. Was definitely the highlight of the day.

Toured the city of Ulan-Ude which is an interesting mix of traditional old wooden houses and Soviet architecture. And, of course, we saw the big head of Lenin!!!

Tonight we leave Russia and enter Mongolia. Just learned that at 3am the Russian border guards will board the train, and wake us up to check our papers. Followed by Russian customs. Then two hours later Mongolian border gaurds. Sounds a bit like a John LeCarre novel.

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 13: Tuesday, August: Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

We passed into Mongolia early this morning. At 3:15 or so, we were awakened by the Russian border guardsbwho reviewed our passports, eyeballed us and then left (with our passports). Came back about 30 minutes later, then Russian customs came through and looked at our luggage- just looked at itehile it was closed ip in the closet.

We slept through the Mongolian border guards- they just took our passports and the passports showed up later!!

Arrived in Ulan Bator around 2 pm and we were off. Luckily there were no steps to the bus today. Yesterday, we must have climbed 20 stories. Mom is getting quite a workout.

The population of Mongolia- is approximately 3.2M people, and 1.6M live in the city of \240Ulan Bator. Ulan Bator is the largest city in Mongolia.

Mongolia is the 18th largest country in world, comprising 1.5M square kilometers. Ut is totally land locked, and borders Russia and China.-

30% of the population are nomadic herders- herding camels, cows, horses, sheep and goats. There are 70M head of livestock in Mongolia. Cows are used for milk and meat. The horses are used for transportation (and meat).

Goats produce milk and cashmere. And the sheep milk and wool. Camels produce milk and camel wool. There are also yaks which are used for milk and wool.

Temperatures can get as low -60C.

Main industry is mining- coal (which is used domestically, but also exported to China and Russia), gold, and copper.

Ulan Bator looks very Soviet and Mongolia tends to align more closely with Russia.

Very interesting place. Reminds me a lot of Moscow in 1994.

First thing today we visited the largest horse statue in the world- it is of Genghis Kahn. It was quite impressive. It was HUGE!!

Next we viewed turtle rock- the name of which is self evident.

Then we hiked up to an old Buddhist Monastery. As with so many other religious buildings, during the Soviet rule, this monastery was demolished. It has been rebuilt and is quite lovely. Long hike through beautiful fields- lots of wild flowers.

We had dinner in a ger, or yurt, and after went to visit a traditional nomadic family. The life of a Mongolian nomad is very hard. It it very much a subsistence existence. This family keeps about 20 cows and lives off the milk of 4-5 of them. Cant imagine living in a ger (yurt) during the winter. I’d gonstir crazy.

Tomorrow we tour the city and visit a cashmere factory!!

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 14; Wednesday August 28: Ulan Bator, Mongolia

Up early this morning after a lovely night in the ger. Our ger did not have any heating- other than a woodstove. The fire was lit last night so it was a little chilly this morning. We did not get the fire relit as they would have come in around at 5 am. Thought we should just sleep.

It was just beautiful when we got up this morning. Sunny and a bit chilly to start. Quickly became warm.

We headed back to Ulan Bator for a tour of the city. Went to a monument to the end of WWII that commemorated the cooperation between the Russians and Mongolians.

The. We went to a cashmere factory store that was fabulous!! Bought lots of present!!

Lunch was a Mongolian barbecue. Mix of buffet and and where they cook for you.

We then went to the history museum. Did 12 centuries of Mongolian history in 45 minutes! Was actually very interesting as we saw a lot of textiles and jewelry.

Then we went to a concert of traditional Mongolian music and dance. It was a lot of fun.

Tonight is our last night on the Russian train. Tomorrow we will leave Mongolia and enter China in Erlian. Sounds like a bit of an ordeal. Mongolian border first, then a couple of hours later, Chinese border. Should be interesting. At least its not at 3 in the morning.

Around the World in 18 days: Day 15, Thursday, August 29: the border between Mongolia aend China.

This was a very interesting day. We arrived at the Mongolian Border- Zamin Ud around 8:30. The border guards boarded the train and went cabin to cabin taking our passports and confirming our identity (“eyeballed” us) and also checked the bathroom (for stowaways, I guess). But, didn’t check the closet.

After about an hour or so the passports reappeared. We then traveled across the border to China, eventually arriving at the Erlian International Train Station. \240It was kind of interesting- at one point during the crossing, the train stopped and Chinese officers of some type came on the train. The guards really didn’t do anything, so we are unsure of the reason they were onboard. They did make us stay in our cabins.

At Erlian, we got off the train and, after collecting our luggage, we went through border control. Very high tech- took our fingerprints and pictures.

All luggage was screened twice by imaging equipment. Mom’s bag was pulled due to her sewing scissors. Luckily the blade was short enough that she was allowed to keep them. I was relieved as they were some expensive damn scissors.

After clearing the border, we did a tour of Erlian which constituted a short drive around town and out to a dinosaur park. Erlian is a small city of about 70,000 people. \240Its very dusty as its in the Gobi desert. As with Ulan Bator, it experiences large fluctuations in weather- extreme cold to heat. And its dry.

Erlian is situated near a large salt lake where many dinosaur fossils were found, so dinosaurs are its claim to fame. So we visited TWO dinosaur facilities. One before lunch and one after.

After our second dinosaur encounter, we went shopping in some local stores. Hard to do any business, as we speak no Chinese.

Then, off to the train. It was about 5:15 or so when we boarded the train.

We are all grateful that its only one night on this train. The pictures speak for themselves.

We arrive tomorrow in Beijing around 1.

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 16, Friday, August 30: Beijing China.

Today was not very busy. We had a late start (breakfast was at 8 am) and spent the morning on the train.

We arrived in Beijing around 2:00 pm to beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures - it was about 32C (90F).

We went straight from the railroad station to the Summer Palace. This used to be a place for the Emperors to get away from the city. There is a beautiful man made lake.

Walked along the longest painted corridor (its in the Guiness book) which is 720 meters dedicated to the 4 seasons. Then took a boat ride across the lake.

Tonight dinner was Peking Duck- one of my favorite meals. It was delicious!! We had a great time. I ate so much duck that I should be quacking!!!

Tomorrow is Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.

Around the World in 18 Days: Day 17, Saturday , August31, Beijing.

Today was a hot, cloudless day. 33 C (91F).

We are staying in the Regent Hotel here in Beijing. Its just beautiful!! Everyone slept so well last night- the beds were big, soft, didn’t rock and it was quiet. After all those nights of rocking and train noise, it was a welcome change!!

Today we got an early start, heading to Tiananmen Square at 8. Tiananmen Square is very much like Red Square in Moscow. They are bith huge open areas, with government buildings all around. And, of course, both have mausoleums to dead dictators. In all the trips I have taken to Moscow, I have never been into Lenin’s mausoleum. First of all, the lines are always long and I cannot imagine why anyone would want to see Lenin, dead or alive. Feel the aame way about Mao.

After Tiananmen Square, we walked through the Forbidden City. This is where the Emperors worked and lived. Its a HUGE complex and gets 80,000 visitors a day (so, it was crowded). It is called the Gorbidden Coty because the common people were forbidden to go there. It was only for the Emperors and their staff.

The complex is 1 kilometer long and 750 meters wide and contains 8,000 different rooms. We went through it in about 2 and a half hours, so we missed quite a few of the rooms. The forst three components are were the Emperors did business and the back three palaces where he lived with the Empress and his concubines.

Apparently Emperors did not live very long and the joke is that they used up all their strength with the concubines. We thought it might be due to STDs instead.

After the Forbidden City we had an amazing lunch at Hua’s Restaurant. Probably the best meal we have had on the trip. The scallion pancakes were to die for.

Next, we headed to the Great Wall. It was about and hour and a half outside the city. The area we went to is Badaling. Its definitely set up for tourists. This area is different from where Russ and I went the last time we were in china (2016). You take a funicular up to the access area. Surprisingly, it was not crowded.

The Great Wall is comprised of a series of fortresses that were built as defenses against enemy states. The first dynasty (Emperor Huang) was the first to link the various fortresses together into a 6,000 kilometer wall over 2,000 years ago! Over the years, the Wall has been repaired and restored by subsequent dynasties. Most of the current wall was built by the Ming dynasty.

Like the last time we were here, I found the wall pretty cool. Its amazing to think that its 6,000 kilometers long and that its been in existence since about 220 BC.

Headed back to Beijing. Tonight we have a farewell dinner!!

Our farewell dinner ws delightful. Food and company was great. Its hard to believe thatbout journey is over.

Tomorrow we head back to the US. We madesome wonderful new friends and have great people to visit all over the world.

Our flight leaves Beijing tomorrow at 6:30pm \240amd we arrive back at Dulles at 7:40 pm!! That will complete our atound the world trip.

One last post with the final map then.

Thos tripe was with Russian Imperial Train from Moscow to Beijing. It was 7622 km (4573 miles). We traveled with people from New Zealand, Denmark, Maurisius, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Israel, France and the USA. Wonderful adventure!!

Around the world in 18 Days: Day 18: traveling home.