A trip of helping hands supports

Finally, after the Mount Everest in challenges and preparations, the day of the departure has come. At 6:00 o’clock we creep from our warm beds, put our travel clothes on, check once more the travel documents and throw the last examining look in every room. Then we drag a total of six big sea bags, a Zarges box and hand luggage before the house. Our friend Pfleidi who drives us at the beginning of a big trip already for many years to the airport or railway station has put down last night his car with us. Actually, I had to do it already to this evening test store, however, we were too tired yesterday night.

On time we reach the airport. Our friend helps us to get 180 kg of equipment plus approx. 50 kg of hand luggage to the counter of Air China. We are the first airline passengers. A little bit excited I get the written confirmation from Air China out of my backpack. The confirmation permits us a total of 160 kg to check in free of charge. Normally Air China would require for every kg over luggage 55 euro. With 100 kg over luggage we would have to pay 5.500 euro. An amount which we can pay impossibly. Some weeks ago I had called the station manager of Air China and had asked for help.” Please write to me what you exactly need“, he had said. As a result I wrote an application in I also described our expedition plan. It lasts for a while and I got a positive answer. Tanja and I have been happy like small children. We like to thank Air China at this point for the fantastic support.

After a little while we sit in the machine and throw for long time the last look at our native country. Then clouds take from us the view. Exhausted by the several weeks lasting preparations we fall asleep immediately.

We walk to the luggage issue and hope that the six sea bags and the Zarges box have also arrived. Not to devise if one of them has got lost or if the duty has pulled out one of the bags or more to examine the contents. However, not that the things we took are unlawful. We introduce food, tools, saddles etc. Many things look to analyzing differently than average luggage. Before the passport check we announce ourselves like in Germany advised at the entry authority. „With this visa you must announce yourselves within seven days at the entry authority in Ulan Bator“, the officer says our visas thoroughly examining. Then we get a stamp and are in Mongolia.

„I already see the first bags“! I shout pleased as my look at the conveyor belt falls. „Everything there“, radiates Tanja. We organize two big luggage wagons and run by the duty. „What do you have besides?” A customs official would like to know. „Expedition equipment like saddles, tents, sleeping-bags etc. everything we need in your country for summer and winter to survive“, I explain. „Then a lot of luck“, he answers smiling and waves us by without taking a look in the sea bags.

As we walk outside Ganbold waves to us. Ganbold has helped us in the last Mongolia trip a lot. He took us from the outskirts of Ulan Bator with his jeep when we reached there after a long and exciting Bicycle trip totally freezing.
Now he stands there and is familiar to us as no time would have passed.

„However, you have a lot of luggage“, Ganbold is saying laughing and leads us to his jeep we fully load
Moments later we are on the high street in the direction of centre. We can hardly believe to be again here. Meanwhile it is the third time. During our first Mongolia expedition in 1996 we have already ridden 1,600 km by the highland and have experienced virtually unbelievable adventures. At that time I became interested on the tribe of the Zataan. A small nomadic tribe which lives still today with reindeers and uses them as loads and riding animals. Since then the idea has not let go me any more to spend once in my life a winter with them.