The boys are back in town!

"Guess who just got back today?
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away..."

Can't believe it's been a year since I was first introduced to the Kazakh eagle hunters.

 I've since had the privilege of visiting them on their own turf in Bayan-Ölgii and now this week they are back in town! They are such a rare breed- a refreshing spectacle in this fabricated, technological world.

Kazakh men looking dashing.
 Kazakh eagle hunters love to wear skins and furs of both wild and domestic animals. 
Their clothing is brightly coloured and richly embroidered and sometimes even the eagle gets to wear a matching cloak!

I wore my own Kazakh hat just for the occasion.

(It had previously been given the "Kazakh seal of approval" in Bayan-Ölgii when I visited last September :D)

There were some fabulous, scraggy faces amongst the hunters 
but with expressions that also showed a softness and kindheartedness.

One look at these powerful talons and you soon realise getting 

"up close and personal" is a risky business.

...although this guy is looking pretty relaxed despite his plumed accessory!!

Consider the strength it would require to have this powerful bird of prey (approx 4-8kg's) perched on your raised and outstretched arm while maintaining your balance on a galloping horse.

I've tried similar?! (with a camera on my horse riding expeditions)-even at a languorous pace it's a huge challenge!!

Whoaaa!... Hold on!

(it happens to the best of us)

"I always look better from the right"

The best part of the day was  when the competition was over and it was time to have a little fun amongst friends with a friendly game of Kokbar. The horses appeared to be as instinctive as their riders in this game.  It was very surprising to me that despite the energetic tugging, jerking and wrenching NO ONE fell off.

Hang on a minute! (pardon the pun) 

Who's holding the horse??

Looks like this horse doesn't want to lose!

It really did look like a lot of fun.

If anyone can figure out why this guy didn't hit the ground, I'm interested to hear!

...until next time the boys are back in town.

Bayan-Ölgii...where eagles fly

2 1/2 hours flight from the capital *Ulaanbatar 

Last weekend we flew to Bayan-Ölgii, the home of Mongolia's Kazakh falconers and the Golden Eagle Festival. This rugged and isolated province lies in the shadow of the Golden Altai mountain range where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together. This is our second encounter with the Kazakh hunters but it was a great thrill to be able to witness this spectacular event up close and personal in their own "backyard"...a once in a lifetime experience.

Embroidered Kazakh wall hangings are a feature in most gers. Completely hand stitched, the base of the panel is always left unfinished-being of Muslim faith the Kazakhs believe only God creates perfect, complete things.  This piece is now mine!  It was made in 1959 so I had to have it!


It is so easy to see why Mongolians have such a deep connection with their land, beauty abounds whatever the season. Hope these pictures will give you some sense of the surrounding landscape.

A Kazakh hunter in quiet contemplation.
The ground is so rock-bound you cant even imagine that its suitable for horses let alone navigating them at a full gallop across the terrain.

A view of the craggy hillside closer up.  Looking for a little solitude... 

In contrast, an interesting rock formation and wide open plains

...better than a living room any day!

Walking to our  picnic lunch "in the middle of nowhere"

The Stage: It's hard to look like a crowd in such wide open spaces.  But there definitely was a crowd! (refer unpublished pictures!)

 THE EAGLE HUNTERS IN ALL THEIR SPLENDOR

Sim with the younger hunters

In action. Hunters show their skills by retrieving items from the ground in a full gallop. 

Looks like fun-must try it on my horse riding expedition next week!

Natural refrigeration at its best!

Room with a view-idyllic lunch spot by the river

Not long after first course.....visitors arrived!

clear, alpine rivers for a spot of  fishing

Kitted up fishermen!

a great place for just... contemplating

The people we met along the way...

This is one of my favourite pics.  These women were heading home with dung in their sacks.

The Mongolian Eagle hunters of the future!

The best groomed camel I have seen so far!

Don't you love those cheeks!

I watched this old lady walk a very long way from across the plain

This little boy urged me to take his picture holding the eagle.  He struggled with the weight of it! 

Last but not least, some Soviet motor nostalgia!

Our aesthetically challenged people mover.  "Fergie". Our driver seemed to believe it could fly if he pressed her hard enough.  Short on comfort high on gasoline fumes!

Only the uninitiated would ask "why is it padded?"

someones "Russian Beauty"

Strong and hardy for sure