Planning Our Trip to Ulan Bator
The planning started::
Air? We flew United, Chicago to Beijing, and Air China, Beijing to Ulan Bator, Capital of Mongolia. Korean Airlines, and MIAT (Mongolian Airlines) are other options.
Visa? You need one. We let MT-S get ours.
Health Concerns? The hiking was not considered particularly difficult but you should still be in good physical condition. This trip was horse-supported, and it was possible to ride a horse if you chose to do so. Our usual Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus, etc. are always up-to-date. And, we always carry emergency Antibiotics, and other "drugs of choice."
Money? Very few places would accept credit cards or traveler's checks. Bring the good old U.S. dollar in new bills.
Travel Insurance - Local regulations required proof of insurance covering medical injuries and emergency evacuation. We always buy travel insurance even though it's laughable. There are some places that there are never going to be able to evacuate you in a catastrophic situation...you are going to die! Simple as that! But you are forced into buying. For other situations, medical reasons to cancel before you travel - illness, death, as examples, it is imperative to have the insurance or you will lose all your money.
Mountain Travel-Sobek sent Pre-Depature information, Final Bulletins and a list of our fellow travelers.
Our group of 10, was met at the Ulan Bator Airport. Only two other men besides "ex-Marine". One mother-and-daughter combo, others from N.Y...Michigan...Ohio, the other couple from California, and several Canadians.
Ulan Bator, referred to as U.B., is the capital of Mongolia, and the center of former Soviet Central Asia, was a SHOCK! Extremely Westernized with women walking around the city, wearing mini-skirts and carrying cell phones! I didn't expect that! Especially since our pre-departure information stressed respecting the culture of Mongolia and dressing appropriately - and here were all those mini-skirts!
In the next moment, we would see traditionally dressed people walking with their horses through the middle of town.
U.B. is a drab city with Soviet-style block buildings. We stayed at the Ulaanbaatar Hotel, centrally located, within walking distance of the museums and shops. It was a western-style hotel with good food, modern bathrooms and cable TV. Also, two discos blaring right behind the hotel every night.
Since the next day was a very long drive to Kharakhorum, our jet-lagged group ate dinner and called it a night...
Comments
Hi Sheila -
I am a journalist in the UK and recently received a press release regarding your travels and new website.
I would really like to have a chat with about about the possibility of writing a profile / feature on you for a major national magazine here.
I have tried calling you on the telephone number, which was provided at the bottom of the press release but to no avail. I would be grateful if you could give me a call on (UK) 07835 803 109 or drop me an e-mail.
Looking forward to talking with you!
Kerry Bailey
Freelance Journalist
07835 803 109
Posted by: Kerry Bailey | June 9, 2006 10:41 AM