Whilst most people would take the southern route throuh Turkey, Iran and the Stans we opted for the Northern route through the Baltic States, and Russia, bypassing the northern side of Kazakhstan. Our primary reason for doing this route is Dal's family are from Lithuania and we wanted to pay them a visit, plus 6 years of University takes it's toll when it comes to buying Visas. No matter which way you go there is a great adventure around the corner, nowhere more so than in Russia and Mongolia, as we found out.