It was 7am when I awoke to the chimes of my alarm. I couldn’t say it was a restful nights sleep as the heating in the Ger became intense and I had to get up to figure out how to switch it off – just no pleasing some people 😂

Heading to breakfast I noticed we were the only two people in the Ger camp and had the whole restaurant to ourselves. I chose a seat beside the log fire because it was still cold.

Today was to be a long 210 km drive to the Taiga Provence. There were no tarmac roads, only deep rutted dirt track which was going to take around 7 hrs. The destination was Ulaan uul village and another Ger camp.

The countryside we crossed was nothing less than spectacular. Wide open Steppe, full of sheep, goats, yaks and horses and being autumn, the trees were turning a beautiful golden colour. I wanted the driver to stop ever few hundred yards as there was so much stunning scenery to photograph but I had to contend with taking pictures out of the window. Sometimes I just had to shout “stop”

The wonderful scenery just kept coming.

As we travelled, now 3 hrs into no-where I saw, what I thought was a little girl, on the hillside, quite a bit off the road. She was smiling and waving to us and I so wanted to stop so I mentioned to Nami that it would be nice if I could give her some of the presents I was carrying in my rucksack. Without a moments hesitation Nami asked the driver to turn back. I was so excited to go to meet this nomadic family and their little boy. He was only 3 years old and when he saw us returning he came running over to meet us.

It was such a privilege to meet them and see the sheer delight on his little face when I gave him a colouring book, some paints and brushes, colouring pencils and toothbrushes – I don’t know who was smiling more, him or I.

The father came over and allowed me to take some photos which I will cherish for ever

Back on the road continuing through the amazing landscape. I took so many beautiful photos.

We stopped for lunch at a small holding where we had fried noodles, mutton, potatoes and onion ( there’s a pattern developing here 😂) and even an ice-cream which was a delicious treat.

I have noticed that the Mongolian people tend to live in one multi functional room where there are no limits as to what is stored there. This lady had a motorbike, chest freezer full of ice-cream, her bed as well as enough tools to open up her own garage.

A local came in as we were having lunch and was quite delighted that I wanted to take his photo – heaven knows what he had under that tunic!

Continuing our journey we came across a shamanic ritual site which felt quite eerie. These teepees are sacred to the Mongolian people and we were now entering the sacred land of the shamanics which had to be respected. I was glad to leave them behind to be honest. One thing I found at the site, a Russian coin which I slipped into my backpack!

So onward we continued through some fabulous landscape – it never ended!

Finally we reached Ulaan uul village where I was expecting to settle into another Ger but the camp was closed as it was too cold and instead we were taken to a small guest house.

Dinner was served – mutton, potato, turnip and onion soup with some bread…. Who’d have guessed!

I can do basic, I can even do basic basic as long as it’s relatively clean but the one thing I find very difficult to get used to are the toilets.

Basically they are all the same no matter where you go in Mongolia – a large 10ft deep hole with 2 planks of wood across with a hole on the middle. Just don’t look down 🤢🤮

Washed using wet wipes and off to bed. Getting used to lying on wooden mattresses. The thought of getting up in the middle of the night to use that toilet kept me awake….but at least it would be dark

Night

😘