News, Views and Reviews from Mongolia with Jess and Eternal Landscapes
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What We Got Up To In July and August
Selenge, one of my EL trip assistants, led a five-day hike in the Khoridol Saridag Mountains in Khovsgol.
Bike riding in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. An alternative way to see Mongolia's spectacular landscapes
One of our youngest guests (Anne who is five year's old) planting her tree at the Gobi Oasis Tree Planting Project in the Middle Gobi.
Odnoo, Selenge, and I together at the National Naadam Festival held in Ulaanbaatar on July 11th and 12th. The wrestling final finished at 1am!
At the private but informal concert we arrange in Dalanzadgad in the southern Gobi. It’s a small event but through local professional musicians you experience music from the Morin Khuur and khoomi (throat/overtone singing).
Mary, an EL guest, during her one-day felting experience in Ulaanbaatar. We arrange this through Erdenetsetseg- a retired Associate Professor and member of the International Felting Association. It includes an informal lunch and takes place at Erdenetsetseg's home.
July and August are great months for trekking - we've provided extended trekking experiences this summer at Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, the Orkhon River Valley, Terkhiin Tsaagaan Nuur National Park and Khovsgol National Park
One of our beloved Furgon vans at Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. No further words needed I feel!
Two of our guests from our Mountains, Monasteries and Nomads small group trip alongside the second finalist (and his sister) of the Darkhan Naadan in northern Mongolia
Nogoon Nuur Community Space - Ulaanbaatar
There are few safe community spaces within the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar - especially community spaces where children can play. But, Nogoon Nuur (Green Lake) is bucking this trend.
Nogoon Nuur was a quarry. Then a waste dump site. It is now a thriving community space made possible by a committed individual, Ulzii. Since 2012, Ulzii has been working to restore Nogoon Nuur and develop a public park.
In the summer, he offers pedalo boats for children (and their parents) to use. In the winter, it converts to an ice-skating rink. In the spring and autumn, the focus is on developing the site - maintenance, planting
trees, construction of the indoor community space. Long term residents include a pair of ducks, doves and a rabbit.
I love this community area immensely. We now include a visit on all family trips where time allows so that visiting children can experience the way of life for a majority of Mongolia's children living in the ger districts. Community participation is an important ingredient of the development of Nogoon Nuur and twice a year, I cover for the costs for the EL team to volunteer at the site - in spring and autumn when the maintenance work takes place. We are now (slowly) donating Mongolian children's books to what will be the new learning centre.
Biking Mongolia
For those that like two wheels instead of four...
This is Turu in the photo on his very cheap and bad (his words) Chinese bike. Still we got to explore the Chinese/Mongolia border areas surrounding Khoton and Khurgan Nuur with no flat tyres! For those not into biking, this is also an incredible area for hiking as well. More details in the next newsletter!
From 2017, I am proud that we will be able to offer biking experiences. From one day 'get aways' to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park to longer trips that take you further afield. We are teaming up with the TREK bike shop here in Ulaanbaatar and will be able to offer a range of mountain bikes to suit all styles and abilities.
As with all things EL, this will not be about who can go the furthest, the highest, to the most remote off the beaten track location. Going back to a theme that forms a centre piece of the EL Mongolian philosophy - it's not necessarily where you visit but how you visit. And our bike trips will be slower paced more immersive experiences.
Be Part Of EL - Help To Build The New Eternal Landscapes Website!
EL is upgrading! I want the EL website to be a 'go-to' place showcasing our philosophy and If you would like to help out by taking a few minutes to complete the website questionnaire that would be fabulous. No prizes for doing so but every little helps!
It's Not Too Late To Adventure Ahead In September
If you're still considering looking for a holiday with a difference in 2016, then you may want to consider what Eternal Landscapes and Mongolia has to offer. We still have small group experiences open for booking in September and October . Trips includes Sustainable Mongolia, Altai and Eagles and an active adventure through central and eastern Mongolia.
Coming Up In The September Newsletter
More details about our 2017 hiking and biking trips - including information on our new short three and four day hikes at the magnificent Khoton and Khurgan Nuur in Altai Tavan Bogd in western Mongolia. Also, confirmation of the small group winter experiences we will be offering from November through to March.
That's it for this edition. As always, thanks for reading and do get in touch with your thoughts!
You can always keep in touch with what we're up to through my EL Blog, or my previous newsletters, or even the EL Facebook page. For a more personal introduction to Eternal Landscapes, you can also read my Facebook notes.
Wherever the road continues to take you - Sain Yavaarai - Journey Well, Jess