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In search of Ming
We crossed into Mongolia on a 2 night journey from Siberia. This time there was no alcohol but a lot of cards. By the time we got through the border crossing (7 hours) Katy and I were train drunk giggling at anything, even Dan's jokes, our brains turned to mush by countless games of s***head.
We arrived into Ulan Bator early morning and transferred to a bus first stop a bank, so we could exchange money. The first shops I noticed were Espirit and Dior, I don't know what I was expecting of Mongolia but this wasn't it.
A day of sightseeing, eating lunch in a traditional Monglian cafe, I had their traditional beef with potato (effectively a cottage pie) and very tasty it was too and an evening of traditional Mongolian entertainment. The entertainment included Mongolian dancing, throat singing and a very flexible contortionist (the boys particularly enjoyed this part of the show!)
I hadn't made any sightings of Ming but I'd had a tip off that he may be hiding out in an underground bunker at a Ger camp which was a stroke of luck as that's exactly where our tour was taking us the next day. What were the chances...
The next day we were picked up and taken to a national park just north of the capital to over night in a traditional Ger camp. Stopping off on the way at a ridiculously over sized golden statue of Chenngis Khan.
At the Ger camp we all had a go at archery, some were more successful than others but once I finally got the hang off, letting the arrow actually go, I hit the target in 9 shots, not too shabby.
The Ger tents were rustic and gorgeous our girls ger had 4 beds all set around a wood burner, which we had lit early afternoon as it was a bit nippy.
We were hoping to go horse riding in the afternoon but there was some sort of issue with the availability of horses. So after a search for Ming's underground bunker (see photo's), we were forced into drinking the entire stash of vodka we had bought and then purchasing some more.
We agreed that what went on Ger camp would stay on Ger camp so I will leave it there. Suffice to say they were a few sore heads in the morning and I had managed to loose my camera. When it was found the last shots were one of my trainers (whilst I was wearing them) and several blank shots which I assume we're meant to be of a very starry nights sky?!
A group of horses (not sure what the proper name is for a collective of horses - troop? anyway it's not really relevant) had been rounded up and we were set for our walk in the Mongolian national park.
After a very scenic and thankfully sedate horse ride we boarded the bus back to Ulan Bator. An early night was had by all before an early morning departure to the train for the last stint to China.
Our time in Mongolia had been very brief but enjoyable.
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