Day 37

So far it's been the dullest day of the entire trip.  We had breakfast at one of the many small cafe in town, then checked out of the hotel at noon (Beijing time - GMT +8) and we have now been sitting outside the customs office for more than 4 hours waiting for a stamp or signature, or something that is apparently vital to our onward journey.

I'm sure Tracy is as frustrated as we are by the process. Today was supposed to have been a long driving day, but it now looks like the next three or four days are all going to be long days if we are to catch up but still see what we planned to see.

There doesn't appear to be any car rental places here to looks like Rachael and Tom will be asking for a lift to Urumchi.  Not too happy about this as we had only really allowed enough spare weight capacity to carry Tracy, and the first mistake of any overland trip is overloading your vehicle.

The required bit of paper finally arrives and we are off to Yining, about 90km away to have the vehicles checked, which comprises a check off the lights and brakes, and that all important component of any vehicle here, the horn.

Then across to the other side of town to the licencing office, where we all do an eye test, and are subsequently issued with a Chinese driving licence, valid for 1 month.  About half an hour later we also get a temporary Chinese number plate for each vehicle, which disappointingly is simply a piece of paper in a plastic laminate to stick in the windscreen.

Not sure if their scales are accurate but if they are I've lost 5kg since the start of the trip.

We drive back 60 of the 90km and find a hotel, which is just £3.80 for a double room, but it does look like a £3.80 room.  Simon and Pat decide to sleep in Tiny, but the rest of us brave the fleas, and get our money's worth.

Evening meal for 7 in the restaurant next door is £7.90, and is good enough that we persuade them to open at 8:30 tomorrow to give us breakfast, cost £3.70.

Lat 44 11.50
Long 80 44.85
Town Qingshuihezi

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