Jumping in Novosibirsk

A little lesson of Cyrillic.
- H = N
- B = V
- C = S
- И = I
- б = B
- P = R
So... HOBOCИбИCK = Novosibirsk !

Novosibirsk, largest city of Siberia (and third largest of Russia), is actually very new as it was created only because of the construction of the TransSiberian railway in the late 19th century. It is now one of the most important industrial centers of Russia.

written by  Sly on September 15, 2010 from Novosibirsk, Russia
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged TransSiberian, Train and Jumping
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

Jumping in Ilanskiy

Ever heard of Ilanskiy ? Me neither before stopping there. It is a small town completely lost in Siberia. But there you'll find an old and gorgeous locomotive from the early days of steam-powered TransSiberian railways.

written by  Sly on September 16, 2010 from Ilanskiy, Russia
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged TransSiberian, Train and Jumping
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

At 9, we meet Jack "Yevegeny" the owner of the hostel and also our guide around the Baïkal for the next 3 days. This is also where we met what will become our travel buddies for the rest of the trip, and also some great friends: the kiwis Hannah and Troy from great New Zealand ! Atfer 3 hours driving we arrived in Saint Christovky Bay, a place lost on Baïkal shore. There, you'll find a farm and guest House where you'll eat the best home made food ever !! It was sooo delicious!

Lake Baïkal is gorgeous: huge (600km long), deep blue water, deep (1600+ km at the deepest)... and so quiet ! That's a perfect occasion to concentrate for you jump.

Jumping on Lake Baïkal shore

Note that Yevgeny, in the middle, is a fellow jumper. His hostel is full of jumping travellers pictured on the wall. So cool ! If ever you go to Irkutsk, go book the Baïkaler hostel ! (www.baikaler.com).

The Baïkal shore is also very steep and it required quite some effort so up and down all the hills all day. The reward is indeed the wonderful views that you get once on top !

Sylvain jumping on lake Baïkal

Auto jumping picture

jumping on Russia-Mongolia border

Last moments in Russia ! After 10 days of intense train-ing in Russia, we are arriving at the end of this first journey and we're now fully ready for Mongolia desert country.

Oh ! And last bit of Cyrrilic lesson (i really love that alphabet):
- Y = oo (like in "food")
- Ш = sh
- И is still I

NAYШKИ = Naushki ("na-oosh-ky")

written by  Sly on September 20, 2010 from Naushki, Russia
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged Train, Jumping and TransMongolian
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

First stop is Terelj National Park, 2 hours from Ulaanbaaatar. It is a very quiet place with stunning landscapes.

We were staying in this Ger.

Ger jumping

Gers are great as long as you take care of the fire. But after everybody goes to sleep, the fire just stops... and in 30 mins, it can be damn freezing cold in those things ! You better be prepared and have a goog sleeping bag.

deer jumping !

Far far away jumping

We spent the day eating, drinking tea and walking around. At sunset we went on a hose ride. It was absolutely great being the only ones (or almost) in this remote area.

written by  Sly on September 22, 2010 from Bayagiin Dugang, Mongolia
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged Jumping
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

Around the capital is a desert area, perfect for hose riding, camel riding and dune jumping !

Tryying new jumping style

Dune Jumping in mini Gobi

On the second night, in mini Gobi desert (1 hour from Karakorum), we experienced a sand storm that became a rain storm, then a storm and then a snow storm... and still we were sleeping in Gers... it was a cold night !

The following day the sky was crystal clear... but 10°C less than the previous day ! All of that to try and explain the picture below :o)

Freezing cold jumping

Sylvain jumping in a... pool ?

The picture below was taken at one of the few Mongolian stops, in Sain-Shanda (aka Sainshand sometimes). Thing is that BlogABond doesn't seem to know that city, so I picked the closest I found, Alagiin Sume.

Jumping in front of the Mongolian locomotive

Anyway, in Sain-shanda, we stopped enough time to buy some water, as well as some lyophilized Korean spicy noodles (just add some boiling water, and that's ready). Quite good... when you're hungry !

Korea and Mongolia seem to get along quite well. We saw an impressive amount Korean shops in Ulaan Bator. Maybe it is because both countries are surrounded by huge and powerful countries that they feel it is easier to deal with countries of their size ? Just a thought though, i'm not an expert in koreo-mongol politics.

written by  Sly on September 26, 2010 from Alagiin Sume, Mongolia
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged Train, Jumping and TransMongolian
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

There, they changed the chinese orange coal locomotive we had had at the border for a blue electricity powered one. At least we feel we save some more trees running on electricity rather than coal.

Jumping in front of the Chinese locomotive

Oh wait... where does the electricity come from in China ? Damn it.

written by  Sly on September 27, 2010 from Datong, China
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged Train, Jumping and TransMongolian
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

Mao Jumping

At the heart of Beijing, on the south wall of the Forbidden City stands the famous Mao portrait. Mao oversees the huge Tian'anmen Place. All the area is filled at any time with thousands of tourists (and maybe as nearly as soldiers!).

written by  Sly on September 28, 2010 from Beijing, China
from the travel blog: Jumping Around
tagged Jumping
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

We went on a tour with our fellow friends from Beijing Backpacker hostel (hostel that I definitely recommend!) and spent 3 hours walking up, and down, and up, and down, and... the wall.

Sylvain and his unique jumping style, jumpin on the great wall

Hannah & Troy, crazy Kiwi jumping style !

Jumping on the great wall. You can see the wall spanning up to the furthest montain !