Bad karma, the Russian van.......and the Khuvsgul Ice Festival


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Asia » Mongolia » Khovsgol
March 4th 2011
Published: March 15th 2011
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Bad Karma Upon reflection, I should never have published my last blog that included reference to the negative events surrounding me in UB. I was only asking for trouble - and I got plenty of it! On Sunday, the day before leaving for the Ice festival, I withdrew a heap of cash from an ATM which ate my Australian VISA card (thankfully after I had the cash in my hand). After a minor hissy fit in fr... Read Full Entry



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Khatgal architectureKhatgal architecture
Khatgal architecture

We liked this home. The "A frame" merged with a ger!
Khatgal streetscapeKhatgal streetscape
Khatgal streetscape

A typical scene in the village
Pink blanketPink blanket
Pink blanket

Do you like the pink blanket on one of the calves? (Oh...even more cow photos in my blog? Yep, they are great!)
A wolf!A wolf!
A wolf!

Well, it is a domestic dog but we did do a double take.
Yakety-yakYakety-yak
Yakety-yak

Yaks and cattle grazing in Khatgal
Frozen in placeFrozen in place
Frozen in place

The port at Khatgal on Lake Khuvsgul
Ice festivalIce festival
Ice festival

Early in the morning before the crowds arrived, this is a look at the set up on Lake Khuvsgul
Holiday accommodationHoliday accommodation
Holiday accommodation

Taken from the lake, looking back at some of the tourist camps.
Ice festival entryIce festival entry
Ice festival entry

No gates here - just a couple of rabbit ice sculptures to greet us.
Ice festival - official openingIce festival - official opening
Ice festival - official opening

Very typically Mongolian - lots of speeches.
The lake iceThe lake ice
The lake ice

Such interesting patterns and some snow being blown over the surface.
The lake iceThe lake ice
The lake ice

For me, this was the highlight of the ice festival - walking on top of the frozen lake.
Food gersFood gers
Food gers

Off to the side of the lake, about a dozen gers were set up to feed (and warm) the attendees.
FoodFood
Food

What was on offer? Khuushuur (front - deep fried pastry containing meat and onion) and soup (back)
Service with a smileService with a smile
Service with a smile

This lovely lady spoke a little English and enjoyed having the foreigners regularly in her ger. Not sure the rest of the Mongolians agreed.
Ice skatingIce skating
Ice skating

The start of the 100km race.
First cornerFirst corner
First corner

The only time the guy in the blue pants was headed. After this, he was always well in front and lapped heaps of the competitors within minutes!
The back straightThe back straight
The back straight

We think the circuit was 1 km in length - this was the first of 100 laps staged over 2 days.
Showing good formShowing good form
Showing good form

The leader had style and speed.
Informal relayInformal relay
Informal relay

Catherine and Kara racing with ice.



16th March 2011

Hello
Hello, Wow the skies look so blue... I miss the snow.... Can I have you e-mail address again. Kila
17th March 2011

the van
Hi Merryn, oh reading about the van and the breakdowns soooo reminds me of Egypt...remember how we were squished into that van (granted the seats were attached) and we kept screaming at the driver to slow down as he was hurtling along the dirt "road", not braking for cattle crossing etc...

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