.... now we're a group....
we're in mongolia!!!!got the train from irkutsk without a hitch and landed in ulaan baatar 3 days ago (monday). for the first time a sober journey despite being with the same crowd of people - border crossing happened at beerski o clock and without toilets for anything up to 6 hours we decided to be sensible!! we did almost leave jerry on the platform in russia with no passport and only 100 roubles but unfortunately the train returned to pick him up! the russian border guards we're quite fierce as always but they seemed much more interested in the amount of goods all the mongols were crossing with than tourists. The mongolian border officials were a sign of good things to come... these people actually smile!!! landed u.b early am and picked up as a group of 19 and straight onto the streets of u.b. for a bus tour (they'd taken pity on us as its supposed to be a walking tour but its really rather chilly). we've now accepted we're not independant travellers..... but were loving it. all through mongolia we've had a guide ondra who is lovely. ridiculously enthusiastic, v good english and just great. we were taken to our ger camp that afternoon and it exceeded any expectations we may have had. very touristy but also not - diff to explain. electricity and running water we were pleased to discover. fed extremely well and due to birthday celebrations for glenda (one of 5 aussies travelling together) we were pissed both nights. we may have left russia behind but we brought the vodka with us! and thanks elsa for the hangover this morning :) stars were amazing as skies so clear - has been frosty mornings and hot days. yesterday we rode mongolian ponies. my feet were nearly dragging on the floor as grumpy (bless him) my pony hauled me around the steppe but great fun. we were entertained with traditional mongolian music - throatsinging and a contortionist last night and were extremely sad to leave to return to u.b this morning. we caught up with mark and michelle at the camp who we'd lived with in listvyanka and plan on catching up with in beijing. its great - she's even blonder than me!!
think thats all for now, will try to get round to emailing a few of you too so you send us more gossip!
general summary - recommend mongolia to any of you any day. its fantastic, come here!
next stop beijing.............
posted by Caroline @ 08:35
1 Comments:
Hello again.
Good to hear that you are very well and in good shape. We presume of course that the vodca brought along is mainly for the medical rescue kit (for disinfection purpose of course). Anyway, remember to get proper sleep and proper breakfast (that was the do's and dont's). It is very exciting to read your bulletins, its like having you around (not on the other side of the word). Here everything is well. I am busy offshore and mom is busy at home (and at work). This weekend we are off to see besten, he's 91. So, look after yourself and take care. More hugs from us. f & m
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