We now have 8 Internets!

To ensure toilet paper continuity we have developed a technique of hiding our toilet roll each day, so that when housekeeping comes around, they refill it with a new roll. Asking for toilet paper is a bit weird. We apply a similar practice when hoarding internet vouchers. Any time we see a new operator on duty, we get as much as we can!
I forgot to get the photos off my phone, so here are a few. Just a reminder, you can click them for a larger size.

Yes, that’s Ross – hopefully the scale of the laptop touchpad gives you something to go on.
2nd photo – Cassie sending the blog post (or trying to attract lightening)

When we arrived at the hotel we asked about secure parking: Yes, next to the other white ‘machina’. Oh you mean the car space protected by a rope? Yep – that one. Um, no thanks, we’ll keep our 500rub/night thank you very much.

This was the car of Ria and Gerrit – Who have been on the road for NINE YEARS! They bought their troopie brand new, it now has over 400,000KM on it – and you know what? They said the road we’ve just driven is the worst they’ve ever driven and they’ve driven in virtually every country! We shared breakfast together and talked for probably an hour. Their insight into travel and the world as a whole is amazing.

At a market today we picked up some gas canisters which is grand, enough to get us to Ulaanbaatar. Also available was an array of high-lift jacks. One was 1ft high - not sure what you’d use it for? Crushing cans?

Last night ended with a brilliant meal, and we have just returned from another fantastic meal at lunch. We have a rough idea of what things are going to cost, but were surprised when we received the bill. I ordered a glass of lemon juice which cost 250r or ~$7.50! To put it in perspective, a cappuccino was 90r or $2.70. It was awesome though! As dumb as it sounds, we’re really enjoying eating out. We only have tiny quick meals when on the road which is quickly followed up by washing up. The ability to take an hour without mosquitoes and flies to have a meal is a great luxury.

We went to one of the tyre shops today (most were closed as it’s Sunday) and did find one or two compatible tyres, but they’re just not tough enough. Not from like an aggressive looking, mud flinging perspective, but more a tougher construction with straighter sidewalls. They would probably do the job, but I feel like we’re buying tyres for the rest of the trip. They should be strong and quiet (which rules out muddies). They also don’t seem any cheaper, a basic brand name ATR tyre is still $300. We’re also going to see if we can buy the components for the service and pay the people across the road. The place were other Australians have had success is no doubt good, but all we want is a place to drop the oil and grease some universal joints. There is a place across the road which can do that, and was just visited by Ria & Gerrit. We actually have all the parts we need, but now knowing how scarce they are, we’ll be hanging onto them until our last service.
Bringing your own oil and filter is how it’s done here - in Australia you’d be laughed out of any mechanic shop if you did that!

Below is a video of some of the scenery driving to Magadan. Just a note, it may look like we’re driving fast, but that can be an effect of the wide angle lens.

Sorry, not real HD, not enough time to upload. 35 Mins max.