The Stupid Way Around

Initially, our plan was to go straight from Sydney to Toronto.  Somewhere along the line, Stephen picked up the idea of going on the Trans-Mongolian Railway on the way there.  


The Trans-Mongolian route is from St Petersburg in Russia, across most of Russia before heading south to Mongolia and finally ending in Beijing in China.  We didn't really think at the time that the trains would have to go the other way as well.  


Looking at the map of the trip now, it looks a little stupid.  

We're flying from Melbourne over the entire route of the train to St Petersburg, to begin the train journey.  Once we get to Beijing, we can wave to Australia on our way past on the flight to Toronto.  


D'oh.