Where is Charlie-Part 2

'On the Wrong Side' Trans Eurasian Expedition update, Charlie drove from Hong Kong to Portugal on 19th May 2010. Where is Charlie now?

‘’On the Wrong Side’ Trans-Eurasian Charity Expedition (OTWS)

 "How does Global Warming connect you in this world? Is it through people, ecology or the environment?

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfNOmgNtbwg Under Freedom Bridge, Charlie crossed the border into Mongolia. Saying goodbye to his guide, he wearily drove the Hilux alongside Russian Jeeps carrying smuggled goods from Erenhot to Zamyn uud, and headed to immigration clearance. Welcome to chaos.

With a three month visa, the first night was spent planning some kind of route around the eastern and southern parts of Mongolia. Ahead of him lay a barren land with no signs, no roads and no one else. The tarmac road (all of 500m) ended just outside of town. ‘I got out of the car, sat on the bulbar and took a deep breath.  Where was I going and was I really ready for this?’ The main trail took him north towards Choyr, where he bravely decided to cross-country to Hentii region, Genghis Khan’s homeland.

Mongolia roads are not roads.  Trails cut across valleys, through rivers and swamps, over ridges, and some just go nowhere.  Trails have their own character yet they all destroy your vehicle and wear you down.  The Hentii was eerily remote and not helped by the presence of a Siberian storm, making navigation difficult and roads impassable. 

Further east out on the Menen Steppe, empty grasslands, occasionally blighted by oil exploration wells and home to the Mongolian white tailed gazelle (Procarpa guttorosa) stretched for miles and miles. Wildlife has been extraordinary, especially the variety of raptors.  Nomads have been scarce in this part of Mongolia, yet some of the scenery around Dariganga volcanic region was simply breathtaking.

How does a small glacier at Yolyn Am survive the repressive desert heat?  And where can you drive down a narrow canyon and emerge on the desert plains of the Gobi? The Flaming Cliffs, home to countless dinosaur finds were also painted a brilliant red under a setting sun. Washing the dust of in the Orhon Valley was refreshing if not icy cold.  With more dramatic alpine scenery, demanding 4x4 trails and many Mongolian ‘moments’ Charlie has covered 3500kms into the remotest parts of Dornod and Suhbaatar provinces.

“Somebody is watching over me.  I have put myself and the Hilux into some wild and remote places, yet we both appear to come out in one piece, certainly richer and wiser in experience.”

Charities

With variety Charity road shows and events, all donation & fundraising of this expedition will go to:

Christina Noble Children's Foundation  www.cncf.org SOS Children's Village  www.sos- childrensvillages.org

Shark Trust   www.sharktrust.org

For more info and keep track of the project, click on to:

Website: www.onthewrongside.info