After spending a week between yaks, nomads, country roads, mountain tops and green valley’s it was a relief to be again surrounded by millions of other people.
Day 15 – urbanity in Xining
Perspectives on a Globalizing World
What do you do when you want to make your dream come true while you’re hesitant to leave your full-time job behind? Exactly, you pitch it in the best way possible to your boss and hope for his support.
This happened to me two days before Chinese New Year 2014, the year of the Horse, when I sat down with my boss and shared with him my dream. After our 2 minute conversation he said: ‘let me see how I can support you’ which is the most incredible response to receive.
Day 14 – in 18 hours from Yushu to Xining
Our road back into civilisation turned out to be a long one. 756 kilometre between Yushu and the capital Xining speeding over roads that are best compared to proper rally-tracks. We were welcomed back into urbanity by a 3,5 hour long traffic jam, China-style.
Day 13 – Sichuan province into Qinghai taken the road less traveled
Road S217, for many an unknown road but for Da Helan a typical ‘Atlas Location’. A road that connects the Tibetan plateau of 4000+ meter with the lush-green forests of Sichuan, while meandering around 6000+ meter sharp peaks. A challenging road to take so we discovered, in challenging weather conditions, but we are happy to announce that our car cum laude passed her first real test!
Day 12 – Daofu to Manigango (Sichuan)
Beautiful country-driving in North-West Sichuan province! Excellent roads and amazing scenery. Arrival in Manigango (it sounds so exotic!) was a challenge for the mind… a town completely covered in mud, constructions everywhere and you better not fall down yourself into the toilet pit!
Day 11 – Tagong to… feeling sick
Food poisoning, headaches, tummy cramps, body aching… it all comes together. Thankfully the worst part is over so no need to worry mom and dad!
Day 10 – From the Nomads back to Tagong
Our sleeping conditions were rustic to say the least. Sleeping with a true nomadic family made us both really appreciated the life these people are living.
Day 9 – Tagong to the the Nomads
Horse riding, a new experience for both of us! While Xiao Helan seemed to have natural skills to control the animal, Da Helan had a little more issues to become friends with our four-legged powerhouse.
Day 8 – Trucker Stop to Tagong Grasslands
Road conditions remained tricky but we made it to Tagong and set-up our tent in the beautiful grasslands. Within the hour we were greeted by the locals while the sun was setting over the mountain tops.
Day 07 – Chengdu to Trucker Stop
No, our car didn’t break down. This is one of multiple stops we will make at several BYD dealers for a quick car check-up and maintenance. Prevention is better than cure!