Today we took a trip out into the Mongolian countryside with a guide, Byambaa and headed south east of Ulaanbaatar.  

We left the hustle and bustle of the city and before long we were surrounded by snow covered mountains, vast open plains and the eternal blue sky of Mongolia.

We had an amazing day and our guide was overflowing with invaluable information and advice.  The driver didn’t speak English so now and again he would chatter away in Mongolian.  I have never heard a language like it and the Mongolian pronunciation is really difficult.  

As described by Tim Severin, travel writer -  “...like two cats coughing and spitting at each other until one finally throws up.”  

We saw horses, camels and herders all going about their daily lives in the brutal -32⁰C.  I only took of my gloves for a couple of minutes to take some pictures and I can honestly say I have never felt cold like that!  It took a good ten minutes for my hands and arms to feel alive again.  You have to be pretty tough to get through a Mongolian winter.

 Mongolia truly is an exhilarating and invigorating place to visit.  The hospitality of the people is really heat-warming too.  I’m already looking forward to our return.......

 Today we left the hotel to be greeted by a bitter -31⁰C temperature so with rosy red cheeks and chilly noses we headed for the map shop.  

We had read that it would be difficult to obtain topographic maps in Mongolia but that this was the best place to find them.  We were advised that we would probably not be able to get all the maps we required so we were thrilled when as if by magic, map after map began to appear on the counter.  

We were so happy and so to celebrate our success we headed for Millie’s Cafe which is a popular destination for ex-pats and tourists.  After a latte and some amazing lentil soup, we eventually began to warm up.  

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Sain baina uu (hello) from Mongolia – the Land of Blue Sky

When we got to the airport in Mongolia we had to assist a young Chinese guy who either couldn’t read the arrival card or couldn’t write. Sarah filled out the form for him and with a smile of relief and chattering away to us in Chinese he was able to pass without a hitch through immigration.

We left the airport with our big Mongolian taxi driver who was so strong that he was able to carry our entire luggage by himself to the awaiting car. Mongolia welcomed us with a bitter -24, snow and an overwhelming vastness.

Before we headed for our hotel we made a pit stop at the local petrol station where the driver left us in the car and the engine running whilst he re-fuelled!!!

On the way to the hotel the driver sang along to the local radio station whilst Sarah filmed the passing scenery. We caught a tiny glimpse of the surrounding s and the mountains before heading for the city of Ulaanbaatar.

The hotel is a little bit like Faulty Towers for those of you who’ve watched the TV show. The people are lovely though and really friendly.

As with China trying to find any topographic maps here is a real struggle.

I arrived in Beijing to a freezing dark day with lots and lots of snow, which is pretty unusual for here. How the plane landed I do not know. You really couldn’t see a thing! After a treacherous taxi ride I arrived safely at my hotel. I was more than relieved when the taxi driver decided against trying to drive up the very steep hill at the side of the hotel. Sarah was already there so we had our usual cup of tea and a catch up ?

The next day we went to the Forbidden City where the Chinese Emperor used to live with his hundreds of concubines. Each evening the Emperor would choose one lucky lady to share his bed. His trusted unics would undress and bathe her then wrap her tightly in white silk (this way she could hide no weapons). She was then carried into the Emperor’s bedroom and placed on the floor where she had to escape her silk prison, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon and crawl along the floor into his bed. She must remain beneath him at all times to show her submission. Once the act was over and depending on how he felt it went, the Emperor would decide whether or not to give the woman herbs to destroy any possibility of conception or allow the pregnancy to continue.

Today we wrapped ourselves up in our own makeshift cocoons (enormous, yellow arctic jackets) and headed for the Great Wall of China. We may look silly but damn they’re warm and we certainly needed them. It was a freezing cold -10 day and The Great Wall of China was covered in snow like a slice of iced cake. However, we had an almost cloudless, beautiful blue sky and lots of sunshine. It was even more spectacular than I could ever have imagined. It was a truly unforgettable experience.

Tomorrow we are heading for pastures new.........Mongolia..........back soon.......