August 30, 2015 Darkhan City to Ulaan Bator

Today was our first full day in Mongolia. It broke hazy and warm as we boarded the motorcycles to ride deeper into the countryside.

Leaving Darkhan City, we one again noted smokestacks belching into already-polluted skies.  The smokey skies followed us all morning.

Even with the smoke, the Mongolian landscape is awesome.

And they have roadside art to entertain us.

We expected animals in the road, but a dog taking a nap in the middle of the road? 

Dave and I thought the towns of eastern Siberia and Mongolia were reminiscent of some Eastern African villages. Dirt started at the side of the road up to the door of the small shops specializing in single items.

The Mongolian word for stop.

Today we dodged horses,

cows,

sheep, and goats.

About mid-morning, we came across another Buddhist shrine,

and monastery.  The white posts are memorials purchased for deceased family members.  

Most of the group decided to ride up for a closer look.

After Boz came down, he lent his bike to Mike (who was the van driver today) 

and decided to play with the sheep that were crossing the road.

Apparently, these sheep are not supposed to cross this road, because a SUV came down from the hill and a couple people herded them back across.

It was a little chaotic for a few minutes with some sheep still trying to cross, while others were being herded back, and cars kept coming down the highway right through the middle of herd.

Finally, all the sheep were back on the side they belonged on, and a young kid was left to keep watch over them

Our other riders were making their way down the hill.

The smoke receded as the group rode further south.  The late morning ride was even better than the morning.

We passed several piles of rock with flag wrapped sticks standing up in them.  These are places of prayer for the Buddhists.

Some gers (nomadic homes) are enclosed in fences and others are alone on the mountainside. All can be disassembled in an hour and taken to the next grazing spot.

The area we are staying for the next two nights is a national park, so the guides stopped to pay our entrance fee.

Again we saw a Buddhist shrine by the roadside.

And our first Mongolian train.

A little after noon we made it to the outskirts of Ulaan Bator.  Even on a Sunday, the traffic was crazy.

Cars shoot for whatever opening they see. 

John barely avoid a collision bus.  But he’s a pro.  He and Svetlana still had smiles on their faces.

A ger on the move.

Ulaan Bator (translated means “Red Hero”) is a city of 1.3 million people, half the entire population of Mongolia.  It was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center.  In 1778 it settled permanently in it’s current location at the junction of the Tuul and Selbe Rivers.

It is the capital and financial center of the country.

Also, the industrial center.

The people are happy, and enthusiastically greeted us, even from their cars.

Multiple times we saw iPhones pop out of the window to take pictures of the group.

Our lunch stop was near yet another Buddhist shrine and a hilltop monument.

We also saw yet another wedding party.

This little boy is adorable.

There are herds of cows and horses- even close to the city.

A little outside the city, we stopped at a roadside tourist stop.  Birds of prey are hand raised so that people can pose for pictures with them.  There are several large eagles and

My particular favorite, a large owl.

This kid was more interested in motorcycles than birds.

John posed with the largest bird astride his motorcycle. 

We continued out of the city to some more beautiful Mongolian landscape.  By this time, we had left the smoke far behind.  Finally, blue skies and white clouds.

Dinosaur bones are common finds in Mongolia and this tourist attraction plays it up.

After riding 288km (180 miles) we reached our destination, the luxury Terelj Hotel. 

We had enough time to shower, relax and explore the grounds.  Dinner was on the patio next to the river. 

Good food, good wine and a full moon.  Who can ask for more?

Tomorrow is a rest day at the resort, and we will have the opportunity to visit with some locals and learn about their traditions.