Tuesday... Our day didnt really start until 4.30pm, when we arrived at the ger camp we were going to stay at that night-really nice! After we got our bags in and figured out who was sleeping where we drove off to the sand dunes. Vladimir drove us quite close to the dunes, until he decided enough was enough and was making very concerning sounds. So we decided it was best to walk the rest of the way. (Oh also another of Vladimirs tricks is to get really overheated at the front, tyo the point where we were worried the engine would die on us.) We'd bought bags to slide down the dunes on, but after managing to climb one of the massive dunes, we sat down and nothing. We kept pushing ourselves but still nothing. Valerie was particuarly disappointed and couldnt believe that Lonely Planet (who said you could slide down them, and even features a person mid slide) had lied to us. At the top, where the wind was quite strong and sand got everywhere. Even between our teeth. It was quite painful, the sand hitting against my face and I was beoming increasingly worried about my camera as was only in my pocket with no case over it and had noticed that at the bottom of the dunes was working a hell of a lot slower. (Luckily is still working and has gone back to normal speed) The views from the dunes were amazing and was cool to see our trail of footprints-well sunken holes, in the sand all the way up to the top. I was astounded at the beauty of the sand. All looked so picture perfect, as though every grain of sand was in the exact right place. After running back down the dune, Victoria gathered up some Gobi sand in a jar, and we waited for Ingrid to return from her walk. We then made our way back to the van, which wa just a speck oon the horizon. We then went on a camel search, to go on a treak. We were able to get 5 camels, saddled up so we could go as a group which was nice. We were first invited into their ger, which we entered after taking a few too many photos of the numerous goats roaming around outside. (And a snuggly dog) The ger was cozy. We all had some tea with camels milk, that tasted fine, just like normal Mongolian tea really -always a bit salty. (Camels milk is notorious for being disgusting) We also had a few snacks, I tried a bit of goats yogurt on some bread, was strong tasting but o.k. We were also shown some gifts that we could buy that had been made by the family from the sandstone there in the Gobi. Bracelets and necklaces mosty. We all bought a few things. After that it was time for our ride. Wasnt too bad getting on my camel and it standing up, but almost fell off at the end geting off it! The saddles were very comfortable, much better than some horse ones here! And as Mongolian camels have 2 humps was quite handy to be able to hold on when facing forwards or backwards. We were all led by a rope, except occassionally Victoria could direct her camel unaided. Mine was having none of that, however many times I said in Mongolian to go. When we got to the furthest point of our treck we were lined up and our leaders all took photos of us with our cameras, which was really nice. Mongolian camels feet are really interesting. They look like dinosaur feet, with only two very big toes. The ride was relaxing and the views were great, so many sand dunes stretched out ahead of us. I was reminded that unlike Cairo, where dad and I went on a camel ride around the pyramids, this was the real thing! Not touristy at all. These camels are used for 99% of the time to be ridden by the Mongolians, as a means of transport etc. We really were in the far corner of the earth. This is it. People live like this. Hearding and caring for their livestock everyday and dinking camels milk and eating goats joghurt. The camel ride was definately one of the biggest high lights of the trip. We got back to our gers quite late. And began making dinner which took quite a while, as we had to peel loads of potatoes and carrots to cook. When we eventually got round to eating the dinner, wa great, especially with ketchup, which Valerie thought to bring on the trip. (Have discovered the joys of ketchup and pasta! Delicious!) I shared a ger with Racehl and Victoria. While Gana, Ingrid and Valerie had another (only three beds in each) Was bliss not having someone snoring all night! the beds were so lovely and comfortable, but following morning was so so so cold in the ger as no one came in to start the stove again, we tried numerous times, in vain. Our last day of sightseeing tomorrow before we embark on our trip home. What a great way to end it with Buyanzag...