Hi to all

Our Trans Siberian Train journey started on the train in Mongolia. Where in the world is Mongolia you may well ask? It is a land locked country that has its borders with China and Russia. It was once the ruler of both China and Russia when Mongol leader Genghis Khan (1162-1227) conquered lands from China across eastern Europe and into the northern parts of Russia. It is a land of horses, flat plains, freezing cold in winter, land of yurts (houses), fermented horse and camel milk and other regarded tasty dishes.

As we set off on our day tour around the Capital Ulan Bator we take our overnight packs as we are being “treated” to a night in a Yurt (Mongolian tent). We make our way to the bus for the tour of this most remote capital city. This is the place you do not pass as you journey to another place. It is a destination that you make sure you take a trip to if you are in the northern part of China. Tourists do not just pass this way that often. However Mongolia is the closest to the Pilbara I think you can find outside of Australia. It is a resource country that BHP, Rio and Vale mining companies to name a few have very big operations here and Mongolia is regarded as the place with just about every mineral and gem you can find. This is bringing great exchange currency to Mongolia. It is democratic with an elected 2 party system. English is spoken widely as it is fast becoming a very large democracy with more than 50% of the population under 25. A very interesting location, I can highly recommend as very different.Our first stop is the Train Museum. A most valued exhibition by the Mongolians. Trains transport everything and transport the mineral wealth out of Mongolia via Russia and China. These are their historical trains made in Russia during the Stalin era, as you can see with his face on the front of the train.

Of course as Mongolia is a buddhist country we visit their most important temple and surrounding monastery. Mongolia is a land of contrasts. The central city square is full of people who have come to see the parade.The city central square is dominated by the Mongolian parliament building, with its 5 storey columns to impress. This morning we are lucky to see a military parade with multiple bands, various regiments and war heroes. Today the celebrations are for the heroes of the public service. However all services are represented, including the army dog squad. These dogs are very satisfied to sit on the square paving in the 30 plus degree heat to cool off.

After a walk around the capital city of Ulan Bator it is time for lunch again in an upmarket Mongolian restaurant. This one serves the top dishes. While we wait we look around and chat about the day so far. The meal of Mongolian beef has arrived and it is presented in high style. Along with water and drinks the meal is considered a top dish by our tour party.

Back on our bus for some more city tour spots. The decoration is of a Mongolian style and all buses have this stye in various colours. However the most amazing feature of these Mongolian buses is they all have high speed wifi. Never a problem using wifi to connect to Australia and do a FaceTime session while driving around or loading down emails with attachments instantly. It is just a contrast to the dirt and rough nature of the country. They have installed such a fast broadband service with reception towers along all roads that their wifi on moving buses is to die for. Why do you have to come to Ulan Bator to experience such high speed wifi, if only we had this in Oz.
On our way to the Yurt for the night we pass many camel farms. These farms can be very close to the local towns, as all Mongolians are allocated a large farm plot to continue their nomadic life stye if they wish.

Arriving at the Yurt “Resort” in the National Park, we take our night gear to the tent and have the central iron cast fire place set alight. Even though this is mid summer, night temps can get below zero in this national park, so best to be warm and cosy for the night.The national park provide a great backdrop to the collection of Yurts and the grasslands that the Mongolians are using for the herds of horse and camels.

Summer time brings out the summer flowers. They may not last long. Some just a few weeks as the summer period is just 2 months. The flowers are everywhere across the grasses and add colour to this vast land of green. Summer rains have brought the necessary rain for a land that is the driest in the world. Although winter brings snow and ice, it is still a low precipitation level and the animals need this rain and green grass to provide the hay for the winter times when none is about.

As night falls, the time is around 11:00 pm. During the height of summer the sun rises around 4:00 am and sets around 11:00 pm. So as the rain, mist and cloud descend around our yurts we try to get to sleep in this vast and amazing country.

The next morning we are treated to a breakfast in a Mongolian family yurt. The families are on their farm with 3 – 4 family groups on each farm. They have their horses and camels to provide them with food and supplies. The families can breed and sell their stock for money to buy other products as well. Mostly they trade for horse riding equipment.

Family members learn young to be an expert horseman. Here the young son of 4 years old shows us his horse riding outfit. He is getting ready to go off for a horse riding competition in the local area. His Mum tells us he is a very good horseman and has won many ribbons for his skill. He is keen to go and enjoy his passion.

After returning to the “Resort” we are given a display of Mongolian wrestling. It is not about weight or size as you can see here. It is about agility. And would you believe that the older fighter was the champion of this match.

As you can see we were given a demonstration of Mongolian horse breaking. Young riders take on wild horses that buck and kick to get their riders off. We are told that this horse is half way through being broken and should bring a good sum to the owner when done.

The summer rains come with a sudden gusto and due to the dusty nature of the roads the gutters often become blocked and flood the roadways. Here we are on our return to our train and it pours down. The bus is OK but the smaller cars (Toyota Corollas that are everywhere) need to wait till the road dries up. Some seize up with water above their doors and engines and clog the roads and
traffic just has to wait till the storm passes and the water level drops.

We have returned to the train and travelled to our next Mongolian city of Ulan Ude where Lenin had come when Russia had expanded to take over this land. This is a statue of the head of Lenin. Russia took over the land of Mongolia in the 16 – 17 centuries but Lenin was the only ruler to come this far into Mongolia. However time has moved on and Russia no longer rules this land of

Mongolia. Mongolia is a country with its own democratic government. We are told that rumour has it that the full statue of Lenin was on its way to this square and was “accidentally” dropped and the only remaining part was the head – so this was put in the city square.

A land very isolated to the rest of the world still has capacity to allow young children who are out with their parents on a summer afternoon to enjoy children’s fun. These cars are there for children to drive around the square for a small fee. Not to dissimilar to our rides in the local shopping centres for young children.

Our last opportunity to enjoy some Mongolian culture with a folk concert in the new opera house. We are treated to many folk dancers and musicians for well over an hour. It is a great end to a time in a distant country that you do not get the opportunity to travel through that often.

Regards
Wendy