Alone in Mongolia – Part 3

At the old long-distance bus station (Teeveriin Tovchoo) which is conveniently located just across my guesthouse, waiting for the van that’ll take me to Zuunmod. Felt like a local now. Bus Fare T1500 each way.

Arrived at Zuunmod, a tiny town 43km from Ulaanbaatar. There is nothing interesting about this place but it is from here where you can get to Mandshir Khiid & Bogdkhan Uul National Park. I’ve arranged horse riding from this town to the park & monastery, approx 7km each way. Cost USD50 including lunch, horse riding with guide, national park fee & monastery fee.

Was picked up by an auntie (who looks like mama-san) from the bus station and led to her house to wait for my horse guide. The short walk there was with complete silence as we spoke no common language but she hook around my arms and we walked along side like mother and daughter… Shown above is her humble home shared with her husband and 2 daughters – only 1 single bed.

This is ‘Ba-yal-ta’, my horse guide preparing the horses. He speaks no English too so I guessed its time to bring out my international sign language.

Leaving Zuunmod behind…

I’m on my horse

Riding on the horse

my shadow on my horse back!

Ok this is the best I can get, I’m really on a horse

Along the way… lots of greens & animals

Reached the entrance to Bogdkhan Uul

The kid who looks bored

Into the National Park. Bogd Khan Uul was one of the sacred mountains that was (tentative) added to UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.

Approaching the pine forest.

Riding into the forest, no sight of humans which I reckon it was the trail less taken.

Notice my horse was very close to his? Mine was having his moments & refused to walk so the guide had to pull him real close. BUT, the horses were so close that his horse’s butt was crushing my leg/knee against my horse. Ouch.

Horses didn't fancy crossing the stream even though it wasn't deep at all.

Tranquil is the word. It felt as thou I own the park. It wasn’t dotted with tourist ger camps nor pack with visitors.

Blessed tree?

Lunch time. Picnic under the tree. How romantic... with the wrong man thou.

Simple meal of minced and pickled veggies which I actually find it tasty. too easy to please?

Keep this picture at the back of your mind. This is what Mandshir Khiid used to look like before it was destroyed in 1937 by Stalin’s thugs. The monastery used to house 2000 lamas who guarded the mountain for 150 yrs.

The remains of the ruins. Only the main temple was restored.

He requested for this shot to be taken – possibly after being curious of why this crazy girl kept snapping her camera away…

Soaring birds & lousy zoom

The view from the monastery. WOW.

More ruins.

The main temple, 800m uphill

it wasn't huge...

Left & Right view from the temple

 

Looking through the main entrance from - inside & outside

Uphill, at the back of the temple where I climbed further. My new trekking buddy aka my guide abandoned me coz he was tired. ;( If only time permits, I would have flip over the mountain & see whats on the other side.

All the effort just to see these 18-century Buddhist rock paintings.

Try to imagine… these rocks / ruins, they once were walls of the gorgeous monastery. Sigh.

Such lovely forest setting

He couldn’t stand the heat anymore…

When I haven’t quite figure out how my macro function works on this cam.

stream with a little yellow flower.

Descending…

Hurrah! Yes me & my naughty horse finally. The horse who is grumpy & farts alot. The ride back was rather dull & both of us almost fell asleep on our horses due to the heat. I did manage to make him sing, hum and whistle some tunes though...