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Hello again! So my photos are taking an age to upload to the computer here, so as i was waiting, i thought i would post another blog update.
So, Ulanbaataar. We arrived at like 5 in the morning or something where our next honcho, Flora, met us. She was instantly 100 times better than Max, so were pleased. We had a long drive out from Ulanbaataar out into the mountains where we were staying in a traditional Ger camp. If you don't know what a Ger is, it is a small wooden hut/tipi which has a fire in the middle of it with a chimney. They are awesome! I have taken pictures of them, so you should check them out when i have finally uploaded them.
So, we got the Gers in the middle of nowhere. There was literally nothing around us expect snowy plains and snow-capped mountains. It was absolutely amazing. There were 10 gers in our little camp, and a restaurant ger where we met up for breakfast. Breakfast was delicious, there weren't as many 'trips' from this breakfast, but i was absolutely amazing again. We then after breakfast pre-ordered our lunch and went to visit a traditional Nomad Family down the road. This was an incredible experience. We sat in the Nomad ladies Ger, where we were told by Flora about how the Nomads live and stuff. It was was really really interesting to find out a lotmore about the traditions and about their way of life. She offered us some cow or Yaks milk, i can't remember which it was now, but it was really tasty! And some bread, and these dry Milk sticks, that were not to my liking! But as Mongolian tradition goes, if you are offered food in someones Ger by a Nomad, you are enclined to accept it even if you don't finish it, as they find it offensive if you decline their offerings. So after some photos as well, and a look at a baby cow running around into fences (it was weird) we headed back to the Ger camp where we chilled and prepared for a horse ride on Mongolian Horses. Now, everyone was into it, i however was not so keen. Reason being? Is that, my last experience on a horse was pretty sketchy in that the horse just started galloping with me on it! I panicked, and the whole thing was just not enjoyable. But, you only live once right? And to die on a horse in Mongolia would be a good way to go, so i put my name down...
Mongolian horses are a lot smaller than regular horses as well, and are meant to be one of the tamest horses to ride, so that made me feel at ease. The incredible thing was that nearby farmers and locals have to gather the horses up from nearby fieldsand catch them! So they are literally Wild horses! I was nervous again...
We went along with another travelling Group of 3 english people and one Oz dude who was incredible on the Horse! We got the mini stable and got assigned our horses. Mine was probably the smallest horse, which was ironic because i was tallest person there?! So i felt,whilst riding my horse, that he was gonna just collapse and fall over. But we made it on the short ride to a nearby temple in the mountain side. Which was just amazing. We had to walk over a rope bridge and climb up the mountain to get to it. It was so amazing,and the views were incredible. From the temple,we then got on our horses again and took a ride through the mountains which was quite an unbelievable experience. We were at one point at the top of a very high mountain peak, the sun shining, the wind blowing past, i felt like a true Cowboy. Hahaha, but it was a very epic moment. The scenery was just unbelievable, that will stay with me forever. I did pretty well on the horse, i had it all under control until my horsekept stopping for a quick munch on some grass now and again, which was highly annoying! And he wouldn't take my orders. But, i did get him to gallop down the mountain which was incredible. Then after doing so well, i fell off the horse when we stationary back at the stable. My foot wouldn't come out of the stirrup when i was climbing off, and i went DOWN. Haha, yeah, i looked a complete tit. Everyone saw too. Not as funny as Liz falling over every 5 minutes down the mountain, that was hilarious.We were all waiting for her at the foot of the mountain and all we could see was this little black dot on the white snow falling down all the time. Hahaha, she came back to big round of applause from the bus. Just to make her feel more embarrassed!
We went back, visited Turtle rock, which actually looked like a turtle! and then met for dinner where i had a delicous traditional Mongolian Mutton stew and we drank a LOT,playing a game called bones i believe?! Where you traditional use Ankle bones from a Goat and play various games which was awesome fun. One game, me, Nicole and Melissa adapted our own rules for the game which got a littleout of hand, but was kinda more fun?! Anyway, it was an awesome game, and we drank a lot of beer before going to be under the clear night sky with the stars twinkling. Awesomeness.
Then there was Ulanbaataar where we did some sightseeing. FREEZING COLD, in this city, it was ridiculous. We paid a visit to the amazing History Museum in Ulanbaataar which was just great, really enjoyed it, but didn't have anywhere near enought time to do everything. Then ate at an amazing all you can eat BBQ buffet place which was sublime, where you can choose your meat, noodles/rice, sauce etc and give it to a chef in a bowl and he cooks it up for you right there an then, it was delicious. Then the bar at the hotel, we drank a lot more! God i have done so much drinking on this trip, i think i have had at least one beer everyday so far?! Amazing! But yes, we drank all through the night. Even persuaded Melissa to drink in the end, after she said "I wanna not drink tonight an be in bed by 10:30" We drank 7-8 beers, had a free complimentary bottle of champagne for our table and went to bed at 2:30 in the morning...I'ma bad influence ; ).
We had to get up 4 hours later, hungover to catch our train to Beijing. In another delightful 4 berth private room train which was awesome, and made our way to Beijing.....
Next post will be Beijing, great wall and Shanghai! So look out for that post in the next coupleof days!
much love
xx
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