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Asia » Mongolia » Gobi Desert
December 14th 2008

Published: December 15th 2008

We're back in Ulan Bator after our adventure in the Mongolian countryside.... We spent every night of the trip with nomadic family. This country is incredible- 50% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic- living in round felt 'gers' (yurts) and moving four times each year with the seasons. The rest of the population lives in U.B. which is really weird as there are basically no tarmac roads ... Read Full Entry

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journey to the east

tristanandcharlie

We're travelling from the UK to China to take up a teaching post in Shandong Province from Jan-Sept 09. We leave the UK in November 08 and fly to Tallinn, Estonia. We then cross the boarder in to Russia and travel to St. Petersburg then Moscow where we'll set off on the Trans-Siberian Railway. At Lake Baikal we will head south through Mongolia; arriving in Beijing by Christmas. In January we will make our way to Zibo where we will be teaching English until September. We'll try and keep our blog up to date. Hope you enjoy reading it! Update: We have a new job and we're staying in China ... full info

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15th December 2008

Faye
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Dumpling
Hehe you'd think that you were talking about charlie in that photo if you hadnt read about dumpling in the blog! This trip sounds so amazing you two. I had no idea you would be travelling through such remote places and experiencing all these things! So happy for you. Me n laura got our flights booked on saturday so will be arriving in Beijing on June 15th/16th! I'll need to hear all about it once you guys get there. Keep us posted xxx

15th December 2008

ClaireAddison
non-member comment

Amazing!
Another amazing blog, with some great pics. I particularly liked the ones of you eating the meat and the frozen waterfall. I'm pleased to see that all the planning has paid of and this trip really is turning out great. I think you were very brave for eating all the bits of meat. Love to hear some more soon Clairexxx

16th December 2008

Hannah Jones
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Wow, yet another fascinating blog! This is fast becoming a brilliant read, maybe you will be able to make a book out of all your experiences when you return! The most recent pictures are beautiful, it looks amazing out there. I also particularly love the name Dumpling for the puppy, how cute! Can't wait to read your next posts. Hope you're not too sick of mutton - at least you can get some nice chinesey food soon! Take care, lots of love xxxx

16th December 2008

philippa
non-member comment

well you two i have just read all about your time in mongolia and i have to say that im speechless....you must be having the time of your lives?! looking forward to the next one....wish i had time to write as much back...sorry! take care and enjoy your journey into china. px

16th December 2008

Grandma
non-member comment

WOW!
I can hardly believe what I'm reading...better than any geog. book. anything I write will seem so tame after reading your blog; and the photos..they help to make it a bit more real. I love the one of you on the horse and the one with Dumpling. lots of love from both of us G and G

16th December 2008

Bon Britland
non-member comment

Best Birthday present - EVER!
So fantastic to hear from you over the weekend when we were all together, belatedly celebrating my Birthday.. and to know you were thinking of us! Your photographs are truly AMAZING - pleased I only saw the one stuck in the snow once you were safely back from your Mongolian adventure!! Love Bon-Mum xxx

16th December 2008

Ruth Totterdell
non-member comment

Amazed by the Gobi
Great blog Charlie! So interesting. What a privelidge to be able to go into the yurts and stay with local people. We are all fine. Anna is home from uni. She has had a great term. Rachel is back tomorrow. I am still working hard. We are doing some more conferences again in the new year. The 5 of us are off to Marrakesh for the weekend after Christmas. I am kidnapping the children to have time with them! I have shared your blog around including Nicola at work and also Jan. I think she can do several Wideworld magazine articles already! Lots of love. XXXX

17th December 2008

Helen Berry
non-member comment

Wow Charlie and Tristan, your trip sounds absolutely amazing! I can't believe you're experiencing so many incredible things and places (tho I'm not sure about the mystery meat and outdoor toileting facilities). Glad you're having the time of your life, lots of love xx

17th December 2008

Josie
non-member comment

Charlie on a horse/donkey!?!
Hey guys, i hope i'm doing this right, i get very confused with technology....i had my last exam yesterday, which is why i have been rubbish at contactign you! It looks AMAZING what you're up to...i've just quickly browsed some of the pics and saw Charlie on a horse, you look like a natural my love. I will try get to grips with how this blog thing works now.....i'm sure i'm being simple but i jsut see loads of links and panic, think my brain is TIRED from concentrating so hard. Love to you both x x x x x

19th December 2008

Joanne
non-member comment

so much meat!
Hey guys, i have just re-read all your blog entries and it just all sounds so amazing. your blogs are great they really give a good insight into your journey- well done. i'm very proud of both of you i'm not sure i could hack the cold never mind everything else. It sounds like your making the most of your experience and embracing the culture. what did horse meat taste like? I'm home for christmas now and its not the same without you charles. i eagerly await your reports from beijing. much love. xx

25th January 2009

Pat Castellano
non-member comment

Great photos and trip
I was in Mongolia in the summer of 07 and am waiting to go back. I would like to go in November/December as you did just to experience another season, but would also like some summer travel to the mountains and desert. We had a fabulous time, too, and I have many friends there now to see again. There's a young woman in Duluth--college student--I brought her things from her mom when I came back and she takes things for me to families. I want to build a ger in my yard in Duluth. It's a great place and we had such a fabulous time--thanks for sharing, sounds like you did a good deal of planning. Did you work through a trekking company or on your own?

7th February 2009

tristanandcharlie
journey to the east

Hi Pat, glad you had a good time in Mongolia too. We didn't do very much planning before hand- just read the LP and worked out the sorts of places we wanted to see. We did a 9day trip that was organised by our hostel- the Golden Gobi (in UB). I think it would be difficult to drive a jeep by yourself in Winter! Our driver was fanstastic. he could navigate even in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere!

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