Back on the road, heading East on my journey to better understand my adopted home, its people and traditions. Another 11 of the 77 provinces in this loop.
Part 1 of the Trip to the Gobi Desert and the Night in the Gur
The Mongolian Adventure – On the Road Again
An early start and a straightforward journey to Suvarnabhumi. Checkin smooth enough and had some coffee and snacks in the lounge.
Flight left on time and arrived in Hong Kong ahead of schedule. A short stopover but quite a hectic transfer from Gate 40 to Gate 20. A 2km walk with no baggage trolleys and a heavy camera backpack. Also a leather jacket in anticipation of the cold of Mongolia.
On to Air Mongolia and an ancient B737. Very cramped but at least I got a window seat and glimpses of the Gobi Desert and the famed Mongolian Steppe.
Ghinghis Khan International Airport is efficient but as small as Hong Kong is gigantic. This photo shows the entire MIAT fleet at the airport.
Enjoyable journey from the airport to Ulaanbaatar and then the problems started. Absolutely hopeless traffic !! Three hours from the airport to my hotel. This caught me by surprise and the worst thing is that nobody seems to be doing anything about it. Lots of road rage and accidents.
First impressions of Ulaanbataar not positive. Quite drab and surprised to see huge coal powered power plants belching out pollution so close to the city centre.
After a later than expected arrival at the hotel it was time for a local beer and some noodles before bed. The Nomado Boutique Hotel is quite an eccentric hotel with, it seems different themes. I was in the Ghinghis Khan China Conquest theme, with a clean but small room. Super shower though – high pressure and very hot.
Breakfast the next morning was adequate and what was needed for a day of travel when the timing, location and content of the next meal would be uncertain.
As I left the hotel to go on my tour I noticed a room down the corridor….I wonder what it is like behind the door to room 316
Next Up….The Ghinggis Khan Museum, Meeting Nomads and the Terelj National Park
Mongolia…A New Adventure
Fed up of the rainy season and unable to travel anywhere as most countries in the region are facing monsoons and typhoons, I was both inspired and frustrated by Michael Palin’s North Korea Journal. So when I got to my desk I looked at the map and found Mongolia. With little hope I looked into visa and other regulations and it turned out that there are none. A far cry from the Soviet Days. That was last Friday and tomorrow morning I fly to Ulanbataar !
Travelling from Cordoba to Spectacular Ronda
Return to Cordoba
Visiting my old university town after 46 years. Not much changed and a great trip down memory lane.
The House of Bernarda Alba and Federico Garcia Lorca
A Night in Nairobi and then Out to the Maasai Mara
The Fairmont the Norfolk was a touch of luxury and old colonial stuyle.
