Blogs from Mongolia, Asia - page 76

Travelling in Mongolia is like riding an enraged bull downhill over an ice-capped moguls course. If that picture is not clear enough, imagine being thrown, spun and bashed around a washing machine for hours on end, to be occasionally tossed out into temperatures that should only ever be experienced on some far off planet, to witness yet another magical Mongolian site or share in the warm hospitality of our nomadic hosts and friends. For the past week or so, Mongolians (and us) have been celebrating Tsaagan Sar, which translates into "White Moon" (Mongolian Lunar New Year). At this time of year, the locals travel far and wide on tracks that change much like a river does - in other words, the path of least resistance. For us, the party started on Friday night with our Mongolian ... read more

We're not sure if you've heard, but about 10 days ago, Mongolia dramatically crumbled into political uncertainty with the mass resignation of a bunch/clutch/flock/herd/murder (you choose) of politicians from the majority "communist" party. This has left us with daily subzero demonstrations in the main square and no discernable government. Corruption is the catchcry of protesters and politicians alike, with accusations flying (mostly true, from what we hear). There's no need to be concerned...the dramatic scenes on telly showing what seems to be gas or smoke engulfing the demonstrators is just the combined frozen breath of the unhappy masses. We're fine, and just a little excited to be living in a lawless state. We battled through the worst weather we've seen ever, anywhere (maybe a line-call with our attempted climb of Ben More in Scotland) on Saturday, ... read more

We think it's safe to say there'll never be another Christmas like it. Apart from a massive oversupply of yummy food and a lone Santa hat, it bore little resemblance to festivities of years gone by. One of the most remarkable novelties was the recently departed fox which travelled with us, securely strapped to the roof racks of Zulaa's van. Thanks to the lack of tourist activity at this time of year we had the luxury of a sleeping ger and a party/eating ger an hour out of civilisation. While Mel got to work preparing a delicious hot soup for lunch the rest of us busily plastered our surrounds with tinsel, balloons and colourful paper snowflakes. All of us pleasantly stuffed on soup, we headed to the (mostly) frozen river, via the Great Wall of China...a ... read more

As the temperature difference between here and home topped 80 degrees Celcius, we somewhat stupidly ventured into the Mongolian wilderness once again. We set off with little more than a sleeping bag between us, and with the slim and rather vague promise (from our friendly but daft Irish travelling companion) of shelter and sleeping gear. The destination of choice for our much-needed weekend escape was Khustai National Park, only 2 hours out of the city, but a complete world away. This magical expanse (yet again, frozen and dusty) is home to the largest population of wild horses in the world - the takhi...the Down Syndrome equivalent of the horse species, with two extra chromosomes. We encountered 2 takhi herds up quite close, got stared down by a stallion, almost got charged by a bull, and spotted ... read more

We thought we'd share with you some of the everyday trials and tribulations that come with living in the land of Chinggis Khan: Names: Between us, we teach about 320 kids, whose parents seemed to know at their births that some poor unspuspecting Aussies would one day show up and have to decipher the tongue-twisting jumble of consonants that they bestowed on their little darlings. We offer you a typical class list: Tumennamstai, Erkhembayar, Purevdemberel, Tsolmongerel, Yanjinlham, Khishijargal, Uurtsaikh, Naransaikhan (who has a spectacular mullet!), Mandakhgerel...and then Batgerel, Battsengel, Batbileg, Batbold, Batbayar and Uugii, Ogii, Boggii, Moggii and Huggii. Funny admin staff: We love the admin chickie - she makes us smile. She gets about in little pleated skirts and runs through the hallways in her lethal-looking stilettoes, usually sporting an infectious grin. She h... read more