http://get.to/madcat
the original madcat
(usa 1999)

last updated 30th October 2002

- Latest news - China and some Mongolia diaries are online, the scrapbooks have started (China only), the rest will follow soon -

6th September 2001 Beijing, China12th September 2001 Erlyan, Chinese Border13th September 2001 Ulaanbatar, Mongolia18th September 2001 Hovd, Western Mongolia

Beijing - Ulaanbatar - Hovd - Ulan Ude - Listvyanka - Irkutsk - Ekaterinburg - Moscow
Hanging out the window somewhere in Buryatia

At some point around April 2000, I decided to visit my friend working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia. I found out that the flights went there via Berlin or Moscow. Excellent - I could go to see my friends in Moscow. Then I found out about the Trans-siberian railway. Then I found out it went to Beijing. I left with my backpack in September 2001. And that is my story.

For the long version, there's a hell of a lot of writing on this site that should tell you most of my tale although it's a long one with three countries and two continents. Hope you find something here that you like.

If you can't decide where to start - why not at the beginning?
Or go to my favourite part, Mongolia
(warning - these are text heavy diaries and image heavy scrapbooks!)

What do you mean you've lost my e-mail address? Get in contact

Other features
Cast of characters - role call of people I met
Where is Marie from? - Cast your guesses now!


Sign in the guestbook
Order a CD (non-profit!)

What about the people I met?
I recommend that you take a read of fellow Bristolian, Will Norie's (Ekaterinburg) entertaining account of his trans sib experience, wildly different to mine.

Lucie Girardeau fled Mongolia under the protection of the French Embassy, taking her film footage with her! Take a preview of snapshots from her film.


Mutsumasa Koyabashi's (Baikal) huge collection of digital photographs from his worldwide travels, including the trans sib.

Not interested in any of this and just want to go on the trans sib yourself? Here are some links to get you well on your way to the edge of blue heaven.

The Khongor guest house
I liked this little Mongolian guesthouse and it's owners, Toroo and Degi, so much that I made a website for them!
http://get.to/khongor

The Russia Experience
A UK based company that organise tours, tickets and homestays. Organised, friendly and well-informed, but packages come with a price...they also run Beetroot bus that goes from Moscow to Saint Petersburg.
http://www.trans-siberian.co.uk

Monkey Business
Beijing partner of The Russia Experience. The most popular trans-sib tour operators. Funky and friendly, but communications will need to be done via e-mail.
http://www.monkeyshrine.com

The Edge of Blue Heaven
OK - so it's not a website, but take a read of Benedict Allen's (explorer of the known world) journal with beautiful photography.

     

all images Marie Man © 2001