Outer Mongolia… it just rings distance and off the beaten track.  I think that was one of the reasons I went.  It’s a bit like saying “I’m off to Timbuktu” – it’s not your usual destination.  The land of Gengis Khan is one with a turbulent history of conquering and being conquered. The mostly nomadic people have come under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism, China and Russia.  I spent just 4 days here on the Hong Kong to London overland but it was one of the highlights of that trip.

When: early June 2005

Where: Ulan Bator (the capital) and in a ger camp outside of UB.

Who: with A.

How: We crossed into Mongolia by train from China and left by train for Russia. (a whole post on those particular border crossings!) Within Mongolia we travelled by minibus (part of our tour)

Weather: changeable, sunny, cloudy, stormy. Pretty chilly, the nights were cold.

Food: meat and dairy based. Lots of yogurt.

Sights & activities: Ulan Bator square which has influences of European Russian architecture. The newly restored Buddhist temple. The history museum. The plains and hills that go on for miles and miles. A ride on a Mongolian pony (one my few times on a horse) to visit a nomadic family.

Surprises: how often A. was mistaken for being Mongolian

Tips: If you don’t have any particular reason to go in overland – fly in and spend more time within the country itself. Be careful in Ulan Bator at night.  Learn to read the cyrillic (Russian) alphabet as many things are written in Russian still