Day 14-16 7th-9th September 2009

Brilliant place - spent night in a ger too (see photo), will update soon x See below -

Hi all, sorry we're not doing well at keeping up to date with the blog- we hardly ever get internet access- in fact in some places we're lucky to have running water and electricity! Mongolia was amazing- a real highlight so far! After yet another early start- this really is an endurance test- we took the bus from Russia to Mongolia (about 10 hours including the lengthy border crossings!). The landscape driving through Mongolia was out if this world- so beautiful and empty for miles and miles. Cows getting priority on the roads! The next day, we had one of the most amazing days ever- we took a minibus into the countryside for about 2 hours to reach the Terelj National Park. We then boarded our local transport- me and dad on Ox cart and steven riding horseback, mongolian style, through the vast steppe and small rivers- it was unbelievable. About 4 hours later we arrived at the nomadic family we would be staying the night with- they were the lovliest, most welcoming family. It was such an amazing experience- the ger (felt tent) was so cool and after dinner they gave us an archery lesson. There was no running water or electricity so we washed in the river and used the 'bush' toilet! We weren't too sure what meat we were eating for dinner but we soon found out when we saw the full goat's head cut off and left outside the cooking area! Dad and Steven both had a shot of milking the cow- both unsuccessfully- but what a laugh i had! After setting up our beds we went out and had a bonfire and sang songs- it was such a lovely end to an amazing day! Then off to bed for our first night in a ger! The next day we had to use our transport again to get back to civilisation- steven rode the horse again- but then couldnt walk for the pain for about 2 days, lol! Dad and I went on the ox cart and it pooed on me- charming!

Spent a day exploring UB, the capital city also. Then boarded a 30hour train to Beijing.

Love Shanita, Steven and Dad xxxx