For as long as I can remember, I have been wanting to travel across Europe and see the many different sights it has to offer. There are many different ways to travel through Europe. One could take a plane, train or even an automobile. Any which way would be a blast but then I heard a challenge of sorts. Something a bit more adventurous than just your standard backpacking across Europe. The first time I read about the Mongol Rally, my brain just went "Yes!"
The Mongol Rally started in 2004 with just 6 participants and has grow tremendously ever since. It is not so much a race as a trek starting in Sussex, England and ending in Ulan Bator, a journey 8 to 10 thousand miles. And while there is an entry fee to join, a good portion of the costs are all donated to charity as are any monies raised from the car auction at the end of the rally.
Now I specify that this is not a race because it is not. There is no prize for finishing first. There are no checkpoints or routes that need to be taken. There are no support vehicles or accomodations made for the teams. There is no time that you need to finish under. It is an adventure in its purest form, something that one does just to do it. Not for recognition of any sort.
The one other catch is about the vehicles. This isn't about hoping in an RV and road tripping it. None of the vehicles can have an engine displacement of over 1200cc. Motorcycles are also permitted with 125 cc or less. Think about driving back and fourth across the United States. Now think about doing that four times, in a Fiat.
I'm sure some are thinking, "Why on EARTH, would you want to do that?" Well why not really? You get to explore half the globe. You get to go places most people would never go. And you get one of those adventures of a lifetime. I'm aiming for 2015. Who wants to go?
To find out more about the Mongol Rally, click here.
Wow, Elliot, This is an adventure. I hope you enjoyed the adventure you had yesterday at boot camp training and sailing. Sounds like life is an adventure for you with not much time for those lazy days, but good adventures for sure. And the Mongol Rally and Sailing both offer their own sorts of rest that one would get on a lazy day anyway. Enjoy. Visiting from A to Z. God bless, Maria from Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteMy adventure was a lot of fun but left me exhausted. I was asleep by 930 on a Saturday night. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNow that would be some adventure. My guess is you'd really have to like who you were going with since it would take some period of time to travel that far. I wonder however does one sort of wing it or is this something that's planned out...very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI just went to the website to check it out. I seriously had friends when i was younger who would have done that! OMG That is an adventure of a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteI know! That was my reaction. I can't wait. From what I read its a mix of planning as well as winging it. You can really only plan for so much I would think.
DeleteSounds kind of like Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so cool. You've got to post about the trip when you go! Stopping by from the A-Z.
ReplyDeleteOh you best believe I will. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWow, sounds amazing! I've never heard of this rally before. Sad to say but I don't think I'm brave enough for it...
ReplyDeleteA month of Blog...