Around UB Mongolia
Trip Start
May 09, 2005
1
20
63
Trip End
Ongoing
Ulaan Baatar,
Mongolia
Saturday, June 25, 2005
11 of us foreigners were due to depart from a rundown courtyard/park thing at 10.00 am. A minibus and car were to take us. AT 10.01, we departed, minus 1 person, too bad for him, they were not waiting. We travelled in the mini van with four others, it was another crazy and fearful trip, overtaking on blind corner, driving at ridiculously fast speeds and the driver only used the mirrors to check out his hair. It is said that the Mongolians have not adapted to the new form of travel well and drive as they would ride their horses
Caravan
. On the way out to our Ger camp in the National park Terelj, we passed many very touristic camps, a well kept Golf course and a few Mansions. I was crossing my fingers that our camp was going to be small and more authentic. It was. Nestled at the base of a rocky outcrop with a view of grassy mountains with forests in the gullies. Fantastic. Cows, goats, horses all roaming free, no such think as fences here.
We settled into our Ger, one of the four Gers in our camp (one being the host Ger). It was quite small, four beds around its perimeter, it was cosy and dark, the only light was through a hole in the roof and a candle.
Our first and only scheduled activity was trekking on Mongolian horses. Some of you may be blown over to know that not only was Stewart the first person to get on a horse but he was the quickest on record. I have taken many photos of this..... I was so proud of him, he took in every bit of advice, following some and not all, and he kicked his horse into a trot and even managed to get his horse to do a few strides of canter. Quick learner. The trek was 2 hours covering some plains and then we went up into a forest
Drinks with mates.
. It was great to get away from all the noise and chaos of cities. After a rather boring and semi warm dinner the surrounding hills called us, we ended us doing a massive 2 hour trek in the back and beyond. Consequently we slept very very well that night and was only woken at 9.30 by some whinnying horses. I loved it and almost felt at home. The rest of that day consisted of small walks, playing badminton with the host kids and reading.
On our final day in Mongolia we were privileged to be given free tickets to the opening ceremony of the first ever Yak Polo competition. This was hilarious. We waited for an hour before the ceremony eventually started. Lots of performances, dancing, singing, throat singing, the lot, even some young contortionists did a little act. While all this was happening the Yaks and riders were waiting to the sides on the fields... they looked so hot and bored. Subsequently, by the time the game started the Yaks couldnīt really be bothered playing polo and were very stubborn. Try imagining a field of 10 hairy Yaks with grown men all kitted out in traditional dress in 30°C heat... chasing after a little ball. We only stayed for one chukka in the end, it was way to hot, and we had seen enough.
Later all.
love Debbie and Stewart
