SEASON'S GREETINGS!

Technically, Christmas is not celebrated in Mongolia.  Two separate festivities have been compounded into one holiday -The New Year.  All the same, all over Ulaanbaatar, streets and shops are bedecked with all manner of Christmas decorations, lights and Christmas trees.  We are left in no doubt that the festive season is upon us!

Even in Sukhbaatar Square there is a giant Christmas tree which at night is adorned with a brightly lit red star ★  (looks  much like  a homage to Russia, or a remnant from a Pre-Independence box of Russian Christmas treasures!!!).

We've lived in Mongolia for almost a year now and all I can say is that it has been the most incredible experience... where every day is an adventure and where expecting the unexpected is a state of being.

So with that, I thank you all for following my blog and for all your  positive emails/comments over the past year.  I welcome your  input.

Wishing you all  the very best over the holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

I look forward to sharing more of my Mongolian adventures with you in 2012.

Road trip to ERDENET

49° 1′ 40″ N, 104° 2′ 40″ E

The road to Erdenet...

This is about as good as the roads get in winter-a mostly single lane of treacherous, lumpy, bumpy bitumen.

Erdenet, Mongolia's second largest city, is 6 hours drive north-west from the capital, Ulaanbaatar.  

It has the fourth largest copper mine in the world and is a significant town in that it accounts for nearly fifteen percent of Mongolia's GDP.

Last weekend a large group of Oyu Tolgoi employees went to Erdenet to celebrate "500 Days" since  the inception of their Mining Education and Vocational training programs and facilities for the youth of Mongolia.  It was a chance for many to renew old friendships that were forged in the process and celebrate the progress of the program.   

As usual by Mongolian standards, we were given a very special welcome. 

There were ribbons to be cut...

facilities to be inspected and new training equipment to try out...
(such as back hoe and crane simulators)

After all the formalities we were treated to a short concert of traditional performers. I would really recommend you take a minute to listen to the distinctive acoustics of a

Mongolian throat singer. Fascinating! 

Traditional singer

Many dance moves emulate riding a horse...
very rhythmic and beautiful

Of course, there is always the obligatory bowl of airag to share after the formalities...

There was also just enough time to visit Erdenet Carpets- Mongolia's leading carpet manufacturer and one of the ten largest companies in the country. Definitely worth a visit!

Although this is not me ... I followed suit and left with my own souvenir carpet!

There were many celebrations and speeches and vodka toasts that night  but I'm just posting this special picture taken at a local night club after formal celebrations were long finished.

And here are some scenes you can expect to see on a 6 hour road trip from Erdenet to the capital...

Snow covered plains with golden grass and low lying mountains on the horizon

Beautiful earthy tones

unfortunately that's smoke pollution making its way across the skies :(

Pit stop. (approx -25C)  

Another Erdenet purchase-a Mets jacket!  Who would have thought!!

The harmony of colours are just beautiful to look at.

...and then literally in the middle of nowhere....

...the dry and smoked fish sellers

...hawk their wares
Fish is from the Orkhon river, the longest river in Mongolia (which we had just crossed) Of course it's frozen solid right now. Locals still fish by drilling into the ice.
 Pike, Carp, Taimen, Perch and Catfish can be found there.

...And every now and then as you approach a populated area, heavenly blue pristine skies are being assaulted as coal stacks belch thick clouds of black soot into the air.
(Coal is still the main source of heat and energy in Mongolia)

Horse riding-an extreme sport!

"Saddle Row"

Although it's somewhere below -20 degrees , the sky is a dazzling blue, the sun shines brightly and you might be forgiven for thinking it's a wonderful day!  Well, it  definitely was "wonder-full " ambling through the blanket of pristine snow. It was a short ride but nonetheless peaceful and relaxing.  We trekked to a nearby hill,  dismounted and just took in the majesty of the snow capped mountains that surrounded us. 

I know I have already shared  a few of my horse rides with you and will more than likely share a few more because each time you go out it is spectacularly unique!  

Colour coordinated with my horse today !

Uggs are not the most ideal riding boot but they defintely keep your feet warmer!

My obligatory fence shot :D

unembellished beauty...

The river is now frozen solid and covered in snow
 (at least that's they were quietly telling themselves standing there!!)

Looking back towards the ger and surrounds.
Picture taken by the hikers.

Making snow "tiles" high on a neighbouring hill-

a glorious spot to contemplate, reflect,

 gaze at the surrounding mountains and take in the fresh air

...keeping the home fires burning
Julie's ger is very "cheerfully" decorated with traditional Mongolian furniture.