Gobi Diaries: A Tale of Sand, Survival, and Adventure
Gobi Diaries: A Tale of Sand, Survival, and Adventure is the first half of Claire Dalton’s fictional travel saga, following four friends on a chaotic journey from Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul. After travel mishaps in France and a night in Moscow, the group reunites in Mongolia, where plans quickly unravel. Guided by a saintly fixer and an unflappable driver, they face dust storms, ice canyons, endless sand dunes, and squat toilets with dubious “safety ropes.” Despite it all, the warmth and hospitality of the Mongolian people shine through. Full of humor, heart, and absurdity, this is travel at its messiest and most memorable.
The Long Way West - Mongolia to Istanbul
The Long Way West – Mongolia to Istanbul Overland, Claire Dalton’s sequel to Gobi Diaries, follows Claire, Brian, Lin, and Doug on their wild overland adventure from Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul, now navigating Russia, the Caucasus, and Türkiye via a chaotic mix of trains, minivans, and a rickety bus held together by sticky tape and string.
Their journey spirals into a hilarious mess of dodgy border crossings, wary customs officials, and bewildering detours. Brian’s dubious navigation, misreading maps and veering off course, fuels the chaos. Language barriers, suspect meals, and lodgings from quaint to questionable challenge them.
Doug’s love for fermented drinks ignites mayhem, Lin’s spreadsheet fails spectacularly, and Claire’s quest for a working shower remains futile. Packed with vodka-soaked mishaps and unexpected beauty, this witty novel celebrates friendship, cultural confusion, and travel’s gloriously unpredictable twists.
Long