Sarah Marquis

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.......