Mongolian Steppes

Asia » Mongolia » Ulaanbaatar
September 18th 2007

Published: October 1st 2007

This is a bulk blog of Mongolia with lots of photos to ogle. Arrived into Ulaanbaatar (or "UB") and had a wander around Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum of Mongolian History, plus the Monument to the Russian Heroes (wonderful panoramic view of UB). Also attended a Mongolian music and dancing concert - the traditional throat singing (known as "Khoomi") was awesome. The next day we went ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 40, Displayed: 21

Turtle Rock

Check out the mammoth size of this rock compared to the people standing in front of it.

Buddhist Mantra

Carved into the mountainside above the Buddhist Meditation Centre in Terelj NP

Ger camp staffer

Wearing the traditional coat known as "del"

Eagle dude

The eagle is being transported to a prime tourist spot for commercial photo op's

You can't stop progress

Even nomadic herders have satellite TV

Milk-maid

Obviously the mares' milk is only available after they give birth. Firstly the foals are tied up so they can't go to the mares when they are herded for milking. To start the milk flowing each foal is led to their mare to suckle. Once the mare's milk starts flowing the foal is taken away so the herders can start to milk them for their own purposes.

Cute cowgirl

Chinggis Statue

This huge statue is being erected by a tour company as the frontpiece of a new ger campsite. It will house a restaurant, souvenir shop, and a lookout tower (you walk along the horse's mane to the horses's head). Unbelievable!

Nomadic Family ger-site

This is a temporary campsite. The family has moved 3 times this year in search of better pastures for their herd.

Round-up time

The wealth ladder for a herder starts with horses (most precious), followed by camels, cattle, sheep and goats.

Open steppe

Beautiful countryside. In the distance is Tomro's family homestead for the winter months. There is a well, which is used by the family and to water the stock.

Matching hairstyles

It was quite windy on the open steppe. I was able to ride the horse myself. With Mongolian horses you only hold the reins with one hand, and say "Choo" ("GO" in Chinese) with a little kick. A fantastic experience.

Ovoo

Shamanistic collection of stones or other offerings to the gods - you walk around it 3 times clockwise and each circuit drop a stone on the pile. Located on the hilltop overlooking our Nomadic Family ger-site.

Mongolian hot-pot

Preparing "kharkhog" (pronounced "harhog") which is a delicious mutton and vegetable stew cooked in a pressure cooker with hot rocks.

Ribs

Enjoying a scrumptious mutton rib from the kharkhog hot-pot

Milk curd 1

Tomro (our host) heating up the milk to make the curd

Milk curd 2

The end result tasted quite sweet and creamy. It is made this way and left to harden for easy storage in the upcoming winter months.

Visit with Grandma

Grandma (Tomro's mother-in-law) invited Edith and I into her home for some milky tea and curds. Conversed (sort of) with a lot of hand gestures and laughter.

Farewell

Tomro farewelling the group in the family ger with milky tea and milk curd. He was a lovely and gracious host, and even came in during the night to stoke the ger fires with dried cow-dung pats. Very aromatic.

8th December 2009

Gertrud
non-member comment

this was a very nteresting blog and i know a lot more about mongolia now, bu tou should say something about the mongolian steppes!

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