Walking on Water

We finally enjoyed the experience of walking on the Tuul river today after contemplating the thought for the past month-then it was a beautiful sight as it was covered in snow.  I think this weekend was our last opportunity as the river is rapidly melting and the surface is more like a slushie!  Although I'm not quite as heavy as a car, I still had fears of breaking through the ice so was not as brave as the locals who are still happily driving onto it!! and sliding their young children along it.

The Tuul river originates from the Khentii Mountains in northern Mongolia and runs through the southern part of UB and is approximately 704km long. It's a major tributary of the Orkhon river, the largest river in Mongolia. It's typically frozen over for nearly 5 months of the year! 
It's also home to an endangered species of Sturgeon.  

Zaisan Memorial

I love this picture so I stuck it on top!.  It's one part of the circular mural depicting scenes of the Russian space Program. (Just a tad idealistic!!).  You can just see the city below.

Ash and I making our way up.  Its a lot more challenging than it looks!


We live at the foot of the Zaisan Memorial, just a quick hike up the wrong side of the hill! The conventional route is a bit further away and requires tackling around 300 stairs.

The monument was built in honor of the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII. It features a statue of a soldier, a circular memorial depicting mosaic scenes of friendship between Russia & Mongolia and a large granite bowl with an eternal flame.  It has panoramic views of Ulaanbaator and surrounding hills (on a clear day!).

Our Apartment Block as seen from half way up. Our block is the first on the left.

Mosaic scenes are encircled in this concrete halo.

 Ash trying to keep warm.  Would have been around -20

 Russian soldier

The Eternal Flame the following morning after a light snowfall.

View taken from the monument as the sun was rising the next morning! (and as the clouds were moving in!! :(