Tired feet and yak meat - nomadic life in central Mongolia: Photos 21 to 34

Sain bainuu!

We're back from the countryside and can happily say the Mongolia we came to see is alive and well outside the city, with nomadic life carrying on much as it has for centuries. We spent a magical 10 days in the Arkhangai Aimag (a central province), participating in a nomad-centered project called Ger to Ger (www.gertoger.org), designed to create alternative income for herder families (affected by recent unusually harsh winters which reduced the national livestock population by a third). The project is supported by various aid organisations and most of the profit goes to the herders themselves and to fund environmental restoration and education projects. There are many foreign owned tour companies operating in Mongolia visiting some magnificent scenery, but this project offered the best opportunity for an authentic experience of nomadic life.

We had a sneak preview of hell itself on our bus ride from Ulaanbaatar to Tsetserleg (regional centre in Arkhangai). We rocked up early Friday morning at the Dragon Centre bus interchange to make sure we got a seat. And "a" seat we got between us, along with 35 others on a bus equipped to hold 20. "Surely they can't fit anyone else on"

Full Text Entry: Tired feet and yak meat - nomadic life in central Mongolia

How cool is Mongolia - Steve and Neena you are sooo lucky to be there at the moment. I think the kids and people are gorgeous ! Take care, Pet

Hi Steve & Neens, Hope you dont mind but Ian gave the link to your travelog. I just wanted to say "Congrats" on the news of your engagement!! Its fantastic, Im so happy for you both. The holiday so far sounds like an experience of a lifetime and you have so much more ahead of you! Best Wishes, Kerrie (Kez) x

Hey guys, great news!! We are so very happy for you! Could have done with a bit more detail on the proposal though. Oh, by the way, the photos are beautiful and the Mongolian kids sound just like the African kids. xxxxxoooooo

Hey guys - i've seen this travel blog site before - a mate from NZ does one and it's just a fantastic way of keeping everyone up to date with what you are up to. Hoping still to catch up with you when i'm in Europe. I'll be at the AFI concert in London 9th October and the couple of weeks before that will be in italy. anyways drop me a line and we'll see how the travel plans are going! CONGRATS BTW! very happy for you! xJx

Congrats on the engagement Nina and Steve!! Your trip sounds amazing too. Best wishes for your future together, take care xxx Mel

Steve and Uncle buck - only their mother can tell them apart

How cool is Mongolia - Steve and Neena you are sooo lucky to be there at the moment. I think the kids and people are gorgeous ! Take care, Pet

Hi Steve & Neens, Hope you dont mind but Ian gave the link to your travelog. I just wanted to say "Congrats" on the news of your engagement!! Its fantastic, Im so happy for you both. The holiday so far sounds like an experience of a lifetime and you have so much more ahead of you! Best Wishes, Kerrie (Kez) x

Hey guys, great news!! We are so very happy for you! Could have done with a bit more detail on the proposal though. Oh, by the way, the photos are beautiful and the Mongolian kids sound just like the African kids. xxxxxoooooo

Hey guys - i've seen this travel blog site before - a mate from NZ does one and it's just a fantastic way of keeping everyone up to date with what you are up to. Hoping still to catch up with you when i'm in Europe. I'll be at the AFI concert in London 9th October and the couple of weeks before that will be in italy. anyways drop me a line and we'll see how the travel plans are going! CONGRATS BTW! very happy for you! xJx

Congrats on the engagement Nina and Steve!! Your trip sounds amazing too. Best wishes for your future together, take care xxx Mel

Steve and Uncle buck - only their mother can tell them apart