Two years have passed since I took the train from Europe all the way to China.
Back then I sat in an office somewhere in Bern, searching the internet and reading the lonely planet guide book about the Tranisberian railway.
I asked two of my friends to join me on my trip, and when they agreed to tag along, the planning started.
We met in a Pub around the corner and decided over a few Guinness what we are going to do and what places we wanted to see.
The departure was set and everyone was ready to go on an adventure…
The days were long. We got many new expressions from the countries we visited.
We met a lot of interesting people along the way and got a lot of new insider information about their daily life.
When I think about the trip now there are still a lot of memories I carry with me.
The freedom, the adventure, the friendship…these things will follow me for the rest of my life.
Back in Japan, where I live now with my lovely wife, I always had the urge to it again.
There is much more railway to cover, more destination to see and more things to discover.
After I expand my work contract for one more year and could negotiate a long summer vacation (japan+holiday=no comment) with my boss I finally could continue my journey where I left off last time.
The Central Train Station in Beijing.
This time it will be the Beijing – Lhasa route with the Qinghai Tibet railway. (if the political situation allows it.)
To be continued…
Info Box
www.seat61.com (info about train trips from all around the world)
The lonely planet Guidebook Tranisberian Railway (doesn’t need any explanation)
and the movie Traniberian (directed by Bred Anderson Starring Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer, a movie with the main focus on the Transiberian Train Backpackers and Drug Smugglers, available on Blu ray and DVD from www.amazon.com)
