Friday 24 July 09 We have had a few quiet days in Ulaan Baatar catching up with people, shopping, internet and ourselves.We have sorted out the taxis , international phone cards and banks now so are feeling right at home. It has been good catching up with Ariun as well as several other people who were also at the retreat in Nepal back in 2004.We are also meeting lots of lovely new people. We are also working our way through the shopping we had planned for Mo...

Tuesday 21 July 09 I sit here in the comfort of the Stupa Café while a thunderstorm, hopefully blows itself out.UB is the wifi 'capital of the world' or so I am told.The cafes havefree internet available but it means I always seem to be eating or drinking tea. While we were away in the countryside there was a huge storm in UB.It lasted about 2 hours and resulted in flooding and about 20 deaths.We saw some of the backed up water and partially submerged vehicles...

Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July 2009 Since getting back from the countryside we are staying at Ariun's Grandmother's apartment, about 40 minutes walk from downtown UB.It is really comfortable and about 4 times the size of Hayley's apartment in Seoul.It even has a 'real' bathroom with a bath.Hot water is a problem at present because the summer is used to do pipe work and whole districts lose their hot water at the one time.It seems that the hot water comes fr...

There is a photo album covering these two days. However, I am working with a very small computer with just a touch pad so the photos are not in order and I have been unable to type in all the captions as funny things keep happening. Also please excuse the spelling mistakes and typos as the screen is very difficult to read. We have just spent an incredible 2 dayson a 'trip to the country'.Sounds peaceful enough but getting there was anything but peaceful.Mongol...

Wednesday 15 July 2009 Up and off for a day of culture - Plans to cover several museums but only managed the Winter Palace of the 8th Bogd Khan.There was so much to see and the guide had a wealth of information.She only spoke Mongolian and Japanese so Ariun translated for us.The old building housed a wealth of marvelous appliqués, fabric paintings, statues, clothing, furniture, toys, artifacts and even a Royal Ger and carriage.The intricate work of the roofs, c...