MONGOLIA - ULAN BATAAR

Around 10pm one evening, the train reached the Russian border and the authorities came on board to collect passports. The Russian people wanted to check our pictures with our faces, and return the passports in person, so we had to wait around until that was finished – about 2 ½ hours.

Then the train moved off for the short trip across the border and the Mongolian authorities came aboard. However, they just knocked on our door, and came in and collected the passports from the table where we had left them.

We awoke early next morning to see what sort of country we were passing through – we could see the local Gers (the nomadic home of the Mongol herders) and groups of horses and cattle.

At Ulan Bhaatar (the Capital of Mongolia) we visited the Gandan Buddhist Monastery, then drove 1 ½ hours out of town to visit the Terelj National Park, and be shown a Ger. In the afternoon we drove back to town to visit ShukheBaatar and the National History Museum before having shopping time and attending for dinner. Dinner was accompanied by a very good musical group – which included Mongolian Throat Singing.

(R - A Mongolian Train Official stands on her post and signals the train that all is OK to proceed)

(L - Our train wends its way toward Ulan Bataar)



(R - A settlement of Gers on the hillside)


(L - Ulan Bataar is a very poor city)

(L - A visit to the Gandan Buddhist Monastery)

(R - Terelj National Park)

(L - Inside a Ger - the traditional home of the Mongols)

(R - A square in Ulan Bataar)

(L - Ther square by night)

(R - Back to the train by 10pm and a very much appreciated bed)