I'm not sure why this book about horses so inspired me, as I am not at all a horse person. But when you're riding for 6 days you swallow your pride and somehow get your horse to "chu" across the hills.
Along the way we visited gers, national parks, a nomadic family and simply took in the beautiful landscape.
We landed in Ulaanbaatar, but only had a chance to drive through.
When we arrived at the base camp, we expected to stay a night before leaving the next day. However, a group was going out within 20 minutes of us arriving, so they encouraged us to join them. In the moment that was stressful, not feeling prepared to go. But in hindsight I think it was best that I didn't have a night of anticipating a horse ride.
It was a cold and rainy afternoon, so instead of camping we stopped at a tourist camp with gers.
The morning was a little sunnier, so we set out after a very relaxed morning. We learned that in general, Mongolian time is extremely relaxed.
Matt's horse is looking at the camera, mine is eating. It was always eating, sometimes when it should have been moving, it was eating. It was a stubborn horse and after a couple days I got a new one, who was still usually behind the pack, but at least went when I told it to. Horses are strange.
The seconda day we rode to Bogd Khan National Park and camped. There were extended Mongolian families also camping there, which was fun to see that it's not just an American thing to car camp.
The can in the picture followed us along the way with our bags and cooking supplies. We enjoyed hot lunches and dinners usually with rice or pasta, beef, and vegetables. We were well-fed.
And well-entertained.
The next day we walked to the Buddhist Monastery ruins in Bogd Khan. There were small temples along the hillside.
That afternoon, we rode to our next camping spot and then drove to Terelj National Park to see the Ghengis Khan statue.
That evening, Matt took a moonlit ride.
The next day we stayed with a nomadic family where we had fermented mare's milk and a goat BBQ. We witnessed the entire process if the BBQ, from choosing the goat in the field to consuming it.
This is our guide Urna. She was so patient and loved teaching us about Mongolia. She enjoyed teaching Matt some of the language.
While waiting for the BBQ, Matt and I hiked up a nearby hill and we're rewarded with breathtaking views.
The land was truly beautiful. The next day we returned to the camp where we showered, relaxed, shot some arrows...
I like this size of animal.
Matt played his guitar and the kids who helped with the horses (as in they spent their summer vacation free and wild on the steppe herding the horses- amazing!) tried to play as well.
So, we've said goodbye to our horses and are traveling on. This was really a beautiful way to visit Mongolia.
