trans mongolian train from beijing to ulaan bataar

Taking the Train from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar, TheTrans Mongolian

For anyone who’s interested in taking the train from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar, I thought it’d be cool for you guys to see what it’s actually like, so here’s a quick recount on my time on the train. Being the budget backpacker that I am, I bo...

What’s the difference between a hard sleeper and a soft sleeper on Chinese trains?

With my 21 hour train journey from Yichang in Hunan Province to Beijing finally over (all 1500km of it) I thought I’d cast a little light on how the class system of the Chinese trains work. Basically there are 4 classes: Hard seat, soft sea...

The Joy of 8 Hour Buses in rural China

The Joy of 8 Hour Buses in rural China Oh the joys of backpacking are all coming rushing back to me now. So I left Chengdu to head to Jiuzhaigou National Park from Chengdu to check out its UNESCO national park (I didn’t get to follow...

Tuesday’s Travel Rant: Tuk Tuk Drivers

Getting from A to B shouldn’t be so difficult, nor should it cost double the real fare. Furthermore, if I want a tuk-tuk (which is unlikely), I’ll search for one. There are few things more infuriating in the world than getting harassed by d...

10 Things I Hate About Traveling on Buses

Long distance buses are part and parcel of any backpacking trip so love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’ll be spending countless hours on these mobile prisons. Poultry, screaming babies, puke, any and all forms of wild stock, cockroaches, sheer drops,...

Taking the Ferry from Sudan to Egypt, Or Crossing By Bus

Taking the Ferry from Sudan to Egypt, Or Crossing By Bus UPDATE 2020: Travel is about adventure, it’s about getting off the beaten track and throwing yourself headfirst into uncertainty. Having made my way overland from South Africa,...