Bulgan Mountains to Tseterleg - End of Trek
One woman in our group managed to break an ankle. Linda is a devout horse lover, and while visiting a Ger, the mare reared up when she got too close to the foal causing her to trip backwards Fortunately, there were two Japanese Doctors in a village not very far from our camp who set her ankle. (This is why you take out travel insurance!) Linda then had to endure a 10-hour ride over those undescribable roads back to Ulan Bator - a real trouper thanks to mega-pain pills.
While hiking, there were flies everywhere...on the horses...circling over our food...driving us crazy. It was very hot - both day and night - and "ex-Marine" sweats profusely. Actually, water beads go flying in all directions and one day, he had flies hovering and landing on his hat, attracted by all the salt drying there!
The trek was over and it was another all-day drive back to Ulan Bator with an occasional stop to buy pickles. Yes, pickles. For some reason, they were very refreshing in the heat. View image
Stopped to visit Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Mongolia is reconstructing, and renovating, two of the temples. There was a magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig (haven't a clue who he, or she was, sorry) filling one entire temple, gilded in gold, and clothed with silk and precious stones. Very impressive.
Mongolian pilgrim to Monastery
Occasionally, there was an interesting sight on the road, breaking the monotony (other than buying pickles). A perfect example, two Mongols (dressed in native costume) with a motorcycle.
It was our group's last day In U.B. Visited the National History Museum (for an overview of Mongolia's history and culture), and had just enough time for a little shopping..
Shopping Facts - It is extremely difficult to take anything worthwhile out of Mongolia without an export permit and photos of the items. Found some beat-up old "tea tables" and a flint purse. Mongol (and Tibetan) nomads carry a small, decorated purse with a thick piece of metal on the bottom, and a little piece of flint inside to make a fire. Every male carries one, along with knives and other items, usually hanging from their belts. Got the proper photos, etc. and were very glad we did! (There were very few decent shops in Ulan Bator when we were there. Perhaps, it has changed.) Spent hours in the Beijing aiport on our homeward journey, and some other Americans (on a Georgraphic Expeditions horseback riding trip of Mongolia) bought old stirrups that were confliscated by Mongolian Customs Officers because they lacked the proper papers.
Cashmere sweaters were also great deal, and Susan (our New Yorker) bought up the entire stock in one shop.
Our Mountain Travel-Sobek farewell dinner was in a lovely French restaurant with extremely good food, and we were all given traditional Mongol hats as a souvenir. Linda was there, with cast and crutches.
Goodbye, group - you were a terrific bunch - and we were heading to the Gobi Desert tomorrow...
