Gee this country is beautiful.
I have just had another weekend in the countryside, this time with James. Another group of volunteers have arrived from Australia and they were going to Teralj for a short stay. So, with James going into golfing withdrawals, we traveled along with them.
We set off Saturday morning and were a little way out of town when we joined a line of cars, a traffic jam which seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Our driver, being resourceful, decided to take another road. This meant us having to return to the city, so we had a good look around. We didn't realise that what usually takes about an hour and a half, would take us closer to six.
We traveled through what I think was a national park reasonably close to the city. Here we noticed several shrines. Of course we stopped and all got out and took photos, it was a really beautiful spot to have such colorful memorials to those you love. Apparently, it is custom to hold a stone and walk around the shrine about nine times, then drop your stone on the pile. The pole is covered with lengths of fabric which catch the wind. It really is beautiful and peaceful.
We were traveling along in a minibus, about 10 of us piled in. The driver seemed to know where he was going until we went to exit the park and the guy at the boom-gate didn't look as though he was going to let us get past. Seemed this track was restricted to shorter vehicles because we had to pass under a railway bridge. Anyway, we went bumping on and the cry from one of the girls was "I should have worn my sports bra". It really was a rough ride. This track was much more suited to a four wheel drive, not a ten seater minibus.
We got to the bridge and the driver got out. The spare tyre had been on a roof-rack, but that was put to the side while James made sure the roof didn't scrape. Cows were sent plodding through the mud to make room for us. A cheer went out when we got to the other side unscratched.
When we eventually got to our destination, James was keen to check out the golf course. I think he was a little disappointed. This morning, while I went horse-riding (yep that's right) James had a round of golf. I phoned him half way through and I won't repeat his comments. Needless to say, he isn't in a rush to go back.
Apart from a few minor horse-riding mishaps, it was a fantastic afternoon. We rode horses through the river to where the land opened up and was so beautiful, so peaceful, so pristine.
We rode for two hours, stopping at one stage to visit a ger where we had yogurt and milky tea. The visit wasn't planned but we were made so welcome, the Mongolians known for their hospitality. It looks like a simple life, but imagine waking up to such scenery every morning.
Some of the group looked more comfortable on horses that others, but we had a fantastic afternoon. Once the horses were pointed toward home, they looked a little happier. We crossed the river again and had to travel in single file as we went through the trees. The horses were more comfortable in going up a rather steep hill than I was, but we got to the top of the hill and the hotel was in sight. The saddles didn't have a lot to hold on to and the horses manes weren't long enough to grab in an emergency, so it was rather risky business. And the horses don't seem to realise that they are short and fit under trees easily, not taking into account the rider, so there was lots of ducking.
But we were back and had to think about heading back to the city...what a shame.
Too soon we were back in the city, but we have decided that we will be back, but next time in the winter so we can experience a winter wonderland.
I have just had another weekend in the countryside, this time with James. Another group of volunteers have arrived from Australia and they were going to Teralj for a short stay. So, with James going into golfing withdrawals, we traveled along with them.
We set off Saturday morning and were a little way out of town when we joined a line of cars, a traffic jam which seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Our driver, being resourceful, decided to take another road. This meant us having to return to the city, so we had a good look around. We didn't realise that what usually takes about an hour and a half, would take us closer to six.
We traveled through what I think was a national park reasonably close to the city. Here we noticed several shrines. Of course we stopped and all got out and took photos, it was a really beautiful spot to have such colorful memorials to those you love. Apparently, it is custom to hold a stone and walk around the shrine about nine times, then drop your stone on the pile. The pole is covered with lengths of fabric which catch the wind. It really is beautiful and peaceful.
We were traveling along in a minibus, about 10 of us piled in. The driver seemed to know where he was going until we went to exit the park and the guy at the boom-gate didn't look as though he was going to let us get past. Seemed this track was restricted to shorter vehicles because we had to pass under a railway bridge. Anyway, we went bumping on and the cry from one of the girls was "I should have worn my sports bra". It really was a rough ride. This track was much more suited to a four wheel drive, not a ten seater minibus.
We got to the bridge and the driver got out. The spare tyre had been on a roof-rack, but that was put to the side while James made sure the roof didn't scrape. Cows were sent plodding through the mud to make room for us. A cheer went out when we got to the other side unscratched.
When we eventually got to our destination, James was keen to check out the golf course. I think he was a little disappointed. This morning, while I went horse-riding (yep that's right) James had a round of golf. I phoned him half way through and I won't repeat his comments. Needless to say, he isn't in a rush to go back.
Apart from a few minor horse-riding mishaps, it was a fantastic afternoon. We rode horses through the river to where the land opened up and was so beautiful, so peaceful, so pristine.
We rode for two hours, stopping at one stage to visit a ger where we had yogurt and milky tea. The visit wasn't planned but we were made so welcome, the Mongolians known for their hospitality. It looks like a simple life, but imagine waking up to such scenery every morning.
Some of the group looked more comfortable on horses that others, but we had a fantastic afternoon. Once the horses were pointed toward home, they looked a little happier. We crossed the river again and had to travel in single file as we went through the trees. The horses were more comfortable in going up a rather steep hill than I was, but we got to the top of the hill and the hotel was in sight. The saddles didn't have a lot to hold on to and the horses manes weren't long enough to grab in an emergency, so it was rather risky business. And the horses don't seem to realise that they are short and fit under trees easily, not taking into account the rider, so there was lots of ducking.
But we were back and had to think about heading back to the city...what a shame.
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