The title of this blog is dedicated to my soon-to-be-departing-Mongolia-friend, Beth, who has used this statement many times over the past 3 months to retain her amazing optimism. I will certainly miss her. And I have to say, since I published my last blog, I have had some great experiences.....so let's commence! The race that didn't stop a nation The 150th running of the Melbourne Cup has been and gone. I certainly told my Dad that the best looking horse in the race was 'Americain' but I followed up on another import, 'Manighar', instead. Silly me. I may not have seen or heard the race live (thanks to being at my only work meeting for the week!), but I still managed to lose money on my betting account. That trifecta, so close, it was just not ... read more

When I created this entry a couple of weeks ago and entitled it 'the simple life', I was naively unaware as to just how simple life would be! And as to the 'centre of the universe' comment, two lovely VSO volunteers, Robin and Sally, from the UK had been living here for two years and this is how they repeatedly described Darkhan to me (and also repeated it in the book about the city they were so generous to give to me as a welcoming gift for me and a parting gift from them)! After a drive of around 4 hours from UB, the driver was extremely safety conscious and drove very slowly about which I will never complain, I arrived on the afternoon of Wednesday 8 September and was accompanied by Bishrel from VSO. We ... read more

So why Mongolia? I know I have given a vague description of my reasoning for taking on this 12 months in Mongolia via a group email but for those of you who keep asking why, here is my logic. As many of you know, I have been wanting to work overseas for some time. Over the past few years, I have been seriously considering the volunteering/aid organisation options. After effectively 3 years of procrastination, I put in an application as 'Health Manager' with Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) who advertise in a partnership with Australian Volunteers International. The countries advertised for this role included Mongolia, Uganda, Zambia and Sierra Leone. From the outset, I was so keen on Mongolia. Why not? I have always wanted to visit so why not live there for a bit? After working ... read more

I was not much of a tourist in London this trip - I was sadly, upon reflection, too preoccupied with the movement of the volcanic ash cloud across the UK. There was no plane action in the skies from the time I arrived until four nights later when, as my iPod randomly played Frank Sinatra's Come Fly with me, the first incoming flight passed over Peter's home in Chiswick! In the end, I was delayed just 24 hours! As a result, this blog entry will be short but sweet. So to the highlights of my short time in the English capital.....a lovely Saturday afternoon wandering about St James Park including lying on the grass and watching the world go by and then photographing the spring flowers (keep an eye out for my next blog)...... spending time ... read more

Arrived in Kirkwall via 6 hour ferry journey from Aberdeen. Easy crossing and I even managed to watch a movie, 'Sherlock Holmes' on the way. My hostel (Orcades Hostel) was awesome. It is a recent addition in Kirkwall and I could not fault it. Everything was no bother, including my arrival at midnight, the rooms were spacious, the kitchen better equipped than my own, free internet and a great lounge/dining area. I was initially booked for 2 nights but ended up staying for all 5 nights I was in the Orkneys. Weather was dreich on day 1- it did not stop raining all day but that didn't stop me exploring Kirkwall township and organising everything for the remainder of my trip. Day 2, the weather improved markedly, and I toured St Magnus Cathedral. Built in the ... read more