Travels with Kathryn

I am quite pleased that was my last night in a ger. I have not slept well and woke up to no water in the bathrooms – it came on eventually, but just as we were about to leave.

Today it is a straight drive back to Ulaanbaatar as the Nadaam festival starts tomorrow. Although I have really enjoyed my driving around the more remote parts of the Gobi, and the scenery is stunning, I am ready to get back to people (potentially even crowds of people). This is also our last section of offroading- the hour or so drive back to the main/only tarmac road. Turns out I just really love roads.

Although Colette made an excellent point that one thing about the roads in Mongolia is that they are built for the benefit of actual Mongolians as they link cities. The roads are not built for tourists (or animals which have a tendency to amble across the road) which means that tourist sites remain relatively protected without huge roads running through the landscape. Always a positive spin.

We reached the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar at about 11.30am, and then there was traffic. I kind of forgot such things happened in cities… We crawled along and only had one near dice with death where we nearly had a head-on collision as we were trying to make a left turn. However, we eventually (at 1pm) made it to our hotel.

Hotels are delightful, there are lifts, windows, and ensuite bathrooms such luxury. Well, it feels luxury for what is otherwise a rather basic hotel. We have been allocated the room next to the one we had last week – turns out that this is the unrenovated floor. So, we have such things as a glass bathroom door (just the thing for sharing a room) and a lack of anywhere to put anything, whereas the renovated rooms do have these things but are far smaller. I shall cope.

We had a final meal with our drivers. He has done a fabulous job and driving around in the Russian Vans really adds to the experience – they really are indestructible considering what they have been put through over the last few days.

After lunch, we had a free couple of hours in Ulaanbaatar which I indulged (having been really efficient last weekend) in some light shopping. Mongolia is famous for its wool and cashmere and I am trying to find a pair of wool slippers, the issue is that my size are boring mens slippers (grey/beige) whereas I want girlie ones with pom poms on! I am also on the look out for the perfect cashmere scsrf – agaib, there is a lot of beige. I have managed to buy a few gifts though, and apparently there are shopping opportunities at the Nadaam festival too. I suspect any number of men I know would love a wrestling ensemble.

I also went back to the Beatles Square and took a photo of the Beatles monument from the right side ie the one with them on:

This evening there was an opportunity for another Cultural and Dance show. I am hoping for more throat singing, but I am slightly concerned that it in the Children’s Theatre that there may be children involved.

Thankfully,  there was not. I do enjoy a cultural show, and this one was good, but not as good as the one we saw last week. Some similar songs and dances, but with a much smaller orchestra and more garish costumes. However, throat singing is always impressive so totally worth seeing another show.

After the show, I decided I did not need dinner after our late lunch (we have been used to eating at about 12), so I visited a recommended cashmere shop for bright colours and now have three lovely cashmere scarves in Kathryn approved colours. I also stopped in at a nearby French bakery, and Colette and I have, for a light snack, shared a weird bread/cheese/garlic thingy and a tiramisu. Tres Mongolian.

Tomorrow (and Sunday) it is all about the Nadaam, i.e. the reason I came to Mongolia this time of year. I am excited. We will be seeing a ceremonial banner parade, the opening ceremony, and then its on with the manly sports. Bring on the wrestlers!