Olympic Expedition: Day 11-17

Last week, the Brazilian travelers were stuck trying to get out of China with their car, Thunder Love. Well, that didn’t happen but the guys are pressing on and intend to make their way along by any mode possible (just not trains or planes).

Richard, Edgar and Paulo crossed into Kazakhstan on foot and soon hopped onto their first temporary transport.

The next day was spent sightseeing in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, and trying to obtain visas for Turkmenistan.

From Kazahkstan they moved onto Kyrgyzstan, and processed to get a “black cab to take us to Uzbekistan … half the way down the co-pilot started showing an amount ten times higher in his mobile phone saying “money, money”! Right after, he asked to try Edgar’s sunglasses and Paulo’s cap, saying a Russian word that we understood afterwards as being “gift” in English. He also asked for my mobile phone and I didn’t give it to him, expressing no understanding. When we arrived at the border 20 minutes later, he gave Paulo’s cap back, but kept Edgar’s sunglasses.” Shortly after, the trio found themselves in Uzbekistan, being carted away from the border by donkey.

Continuing their trek across the ‘Stans, the lads crossed into Tajikistan, but not before getting fruit from the backyard of the Uzbekistan customs house. The cross back into Uzbekistan was delayed because of a close border and the three will head to Dushanbe, Tajikistan and continue their journey from there. In addition to seeing the sites, the guys will hopefully pick up their Turkmenistan visa in the capital.

For more photos, reports and videos of the journey so far check out Olympic Expedition.

Photos: Olympicexpedition.com.