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Last day in Mongolia today, have been here for 4 days now. Arrived on Sunday 29th May after a few days in Hohot (Inner Mongolia which is actually part of China)
We arrived in Hohot at 7.30am after an overnighter on the train, but unfortunately the train attendants told us to get off at the wrong stop - language barrier!! Fortunately we were in Hohot just the wrong station. After an hour of waiting our new Honcho Jasmine came to pick us up and off we went to the hotel. After a traditional mongolian breakfast of 'oats' (but more like pasta/stew - delish), we went for a look around the city Hohot is like a smaller Beijing, less busy though and clearer air - although it can get pretty windy and dusty!
We visited the museum, street markets, parks and restaurants during our 2 days there. Highlight was definitely the amazing hotpot we had one night, we each had our individual cookers and we could hardly walk when we left the restaurant! We drank traditional milk tea, ate this dessert which was like cream, yoghurt and cereal but hard to describe (very yum!), and of course cheap beer!
Then it was back onto the train again for another overnight trip, this time destined for Mongolia. We had a border crossing and a day stop in a little place called Erlin prior to Mongolia. We got kicked off the train at 6am so found a local bakery and a seat in a local hotel for the day, drinking tea, and doing crosswords. Luckily there are 5 of us on our tour group so we had some company and entertained ourselves for the day. Our group is made up of me and Matt, a guy from Tasmania, a guy from Jersey (off the coast of France), and a girl from Canada - not a bad sized group and we all get along which is a bonus!
Another overnighter from Erlin to Ulaanbaatar, after numerous passport checks we made it! Our Honcho David met us at the train station, took us to the hotel and then after a well needed shower (after 2 days without one on the train and at Erlin), we went to explore our new city.
On the first day we went to a large monument up the top of 600 stairs with full 360 degree view of the city. On our way there we were accosted by some homeless kids who grabbed us and who stole the Honcho's left over lunch. Apparently there is quite a bit of poverty in the city so they were genuinely hungry and just tring to get food. It's pretty sad.
Day 2 and we got into our mini van at 9am and headed out of the city. The Destination was a GER camp 5 hours away. It was beautiful driving through the countryside, views stretching for miles and not a single person in sight. We stayed in a traditional GER tent, went mongolian horse riding (turns out I am better than Matt at something!!), and Matt had a Mongolian wrestle with one of the local boys. Got a video of it so will have to post it soon. We visited a local family, had tea with them and gave them presents (lollies and rice, and a tea towel with a NZ map on it so they could see where we were from.
Day 2 and off to the next camp. Went to visit a monestary, and went for a walk to a nearby river. A few of the crew went fr swims and then back to camp for some archery and a few cold beers. The food in Mongolia was the traditional meat, veg and carbs, but its comfort food and its not bad!
Today was eating, drinking and souvenir huntint. Matt got a traditional fox and mink fur Mongolian hat (bulgan magayi), with 3 tails and very fluffy and warm!
Off to the Irish pub now for a few beers before getting on the train again tonight. Ciao for now, another update from Russia soon!
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