Blogs from Terelj, Mongolia, Asia - page 3

3rd August 2010 Freedom camping in Terijl National Park We caught the ‘mad’ bus to the National Park and went further into the park this time and got off at the village. We had rented tents, roll mats and sleeping bags but we didn’t have any cooking facilities so needed to be near restaurants. The river was right beside the bus stop and we took our shoes off and waded across to the other side to look for a camping spot. The river wasn’t deep where we crossed, but it was ice cold. We didn’t have to walk far before we found the perfect spot with logs spanning the river making a natural playground. We made a great fire and had toasted Tuna sandwiches. Some locals turned up in the afternoon with 4 kids and the ... read more

Terelj is conveniently located only an hour away from UB and is considered a national park. I went there with Yotam and Lior, two Isralies, and Laura who comes from Finland. Luckily they had a lot of extra camping stuff since I haven't picked up my own gear yet. We took the bus over and then passed the small village of Terelj, we disembarked and walked the park in search of a decent camp site. We walked along, packs full of food, and crossed a few streams that soaked us to mid-thigh level. Eventually we found a good spot right by the river and backdropped by hills. We set up the tent, built a firepit and collected wood, and then began preparing food. We had picked up loads of food supplies at the market in UB ... read more

This Saturday has been one of the best days I've enjoyed since being here in Mongolia. I piled into a micro-bus with Carrie and some of the school kids and we headed to Terelj. Along the way, we instantly blew a tire and the experienced drivers (flat tires are notoriously common on Mongolian roads) had the tire changed in 5 minutes. Then we spent an hour winding through the beautiful countryside, eventually coming upon the Terelj valley. We paid the National Park costs and once inside the park immediately came upon a couple who waited on the side of the road with two camels and a large hawk, who glared at us and ruffled his wings in irritation. He was truly a formidable predator and when the man brought the hawk to his arm, the bird ... read more

If you've got this far then well done... following this blog has been hard even for me, it's (apparent) architect. I am weeks and weeks behind. In fact me and my noble companion have been in Mongolia now for six days and I haven’t written a single word. However, I would like in defense of my negligence to point out that this country is not exactly hot-wired: internet servers here or slow and antiquated by modern standards and expectations. So my laissez-faire attitude to coherent narratives has been willfully exacerbated by the Mongolian states laissez-faire attitude to modern technology. And nobody really seems to mind. The reason for this is that most Mongolians live in ‘gers’- small, circular, marquee-style habitations, lined with sheeps wool, formed around a central stove and without electricity or running water. It ... read more

Went on the biggest mystery tour ever. Went out with two other women and driver who had selective english, don't think he was really that interested in what we wanted to do, the drivers main aim was to get to his buddies house for a catch up. We still managed to see some things. Slept in a Cafe and on the icy floor of a ger. The main statement was where are we now? Mongolia of course... read more