Mutton hell in Mongolia

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There are not many places that you can visit were people live a nomadic life herding sheep and goats on horse back, live in tents and survive on a diet of mostly mutton. It's that and the vast unfenced green landscape that makes Mongolia magical - well apart from the mutton.

After leaving the Trans-Siberia train at Ulaan Baatar, the capital of Mongolia and in my book the ugliest city on earth, we headed into the countryside to a national park. Being able to stay in a Ger (a traditional Mongolian tent) in the park brought back for me some of the excitement I felt as a kid when I was allowed to camp in the garden for the first time.

We were lucky enough to get to visit to home of a local family. We were greeted outside by a little boy - no more than five - playing with a huge knife that looked sharp enough to cut metal. Inside the family (six people and a dog) lived in one tiny room, but still managed to have a 50 inch TV.

Although I loved the peace and natural beauty of Mongolia the food was truly nasty. Not being a fan of mutton whether boiled, tinned or any other way it was a struggle. On one menu we actually saw 'traditional milk tea with a hint of dried meat' - yum!

After a couple of days we were actually keen to get back on the train to get to China and anything other than stringy meat.

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Photos

Girls in the Ger
Girls in the Ger

National Park
National Park

Comments

[Becky]

Wow
Ooooh, it looks like you're having so much fun, I bet you can't belive you're actually there now! Hope China's cuisine has more to offer.... Lots of love Becky xxxx

[Steve]

Hi
Hi Iona, I hope your having a great time, it certainly sounds like an experience. Hope all is well, stay in touch, Steve

[billy]

hello there
aye what like? hope u are having fun u should be used to mutton wi dads eating habbits see u soon cheers billy