TransIrUBBeBAMBa (7) - Naushki

Naushki is the final destination for the domestic part of the train and place for 5 hour stop, supposedly for customs formalities for the rest going to Mongolia. Having spent so much time there, one could write a whole history of the place, so just a couple of words from me.

After arrival we were kept in the carriages for a quick passport check by officers in uniforms, and then released with order to be back at 16.00

At the station, the toilets are in a separate building on the left, in the main one there is ticket office, 2 cash machines, and a chemists in the waiting room.

Train from Mongolia to Irkutsk

Outside, there was little shop open right at the corner of the road with local women selling some food on the stall right opposite. Going further south there is a general store, and again warm food could be bought from locals. For those having more time, wanting better food and brave enough, there is Cafe Diana. 

Firstly, you have to find it. There are signposts stating distance of 500m, but it really is about 800: go past the general store, then along military unit fence, and you'll see it after the bend of the road. 

Secondly, you have to order food: the menu is in Russian only and handwritten, staff doesn't use English. 

Third number 3 is Poza ( Поза, large dumplings with meat filling), then pelmeni in stock, then cheesy pelmeni, shashlik, brizol, we also had 5th number 3 - rice with vegetables. The last column is waiting time, the one before - price.

When you pass that, you'll be rewarded with very tasty food.

 

Brizol (Бризоль , 7th on the menu) was the discovery of the day: layer of meat on a layer of egg, with shredded gherkin as filling. I approached it with caution, but it appeared to be fantastic combination.

As mentioned, we had 2 hours break, then another 45 minutes waiting at locked train, then the customs formalities started. When the train left, the toilets were open only for very short period, and at Sukhbaatar we were kept in the train for very long, leaving only 20 minutes break right before the departure. Toilets in Sukhbaatar are in separate building on the left, chargeable, women's is apparently decent but men's is horrible.

Some were lucky to have more time there, so it clearly varies. 

Useful hints:

Since half a day is wasted in Naushki for border crosing formalities, if your situation allows, consider other and/or cheaper options

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