Mongolia
Ulaanbataar has changed enormously in the five years since I last visited. Then there were three or four places recommenced to eat in the city. Now the streets appeared to be lined with restaurants of all types. New buildings are being built all over the city and the main square has an impressive new parliament building with huge statue of Chinggis Khaan sitting at it’s centre.
We spent time at the Elstei ger camp where I had stayed fives years ago. Then there had been around six gers and a small hut where meals were prepared and eaten. Now there there around 40 gers, a restaurant and bar, indoor toilets and showers and a massage ger.
We also spent a night with a local herdsman and his Mother. This was a fantastic experience though lactose intolerant vegetarians would be advised to give it a miss.
Election fever has hit Mongolia. This Sunday sees Mongolia’s national elections. There are election posters and campaign vans everywhere to be seen. We even saw the campaign and driving through the Gobi and handing out leaflets to the Lamas at the monastery.