A traveller's reflection: Mongolia 2019: 07 Tracing the route to Ulaanbaatar

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday, 9 September 2019

Mongolia 2019: 07 Tracing the route to Ulaanbaatar

“A man who cannot tolerate small misfortunes can never accomplish great things…” - Chinese Proverb

(The vast grassland of Mongolia)

Day-07: Saturday 07/09/2019
Destination: Ulaanbaatar City
Hotel: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Nine

Today we drove back to Ulaanbaatar tracing back the route we came before.

(Misty morning, sunrise over the gers by the lake)

(A photo shot with friends before the long journey)

We reached Ulaanbaatar at noon just in time for lunch at the Sultana Arabic Turkish Restaurant. The food served is delicious. The Hummus was eaten with flat breads and the Shepherds Salad. The Kebabs tasted great too.

(One of the famous Muslim Restaurant)

(Most sought after, the free wifi)

(Delicious lamb kebab with rice and salad)

After lunch we drove direct to Naraantul Market. As it was a weekend, the crowds and traffic could be horrendous. The market is also known as the Black Market or ‘Khar Zakh’, a must-see spot for those wanting to pick up traditional Mongolian clothing, carpets, horse-riding gear and souvenirs. It is also notorious for pickpockets and bag slashers, so we had to be extra careful with our backpack and valuables. The covered area has a decent selection of clothes and accessories and is one of the cheapest places to get traditional Mongolian garments, Western-style bags, jeans and fake North Face jackets. Carpet, hat and boot sellers are also in the covered area.

(Naraantul Market is crowded during weekends)

(Looking for nothing in particular)

(Herbs and traditional medicines on display for sale)

From Naraantul Market we drove to Nine Hotel, checked in and performed our prayers before we proceeded to the Tumen Ekh Ensemble for a cultural show. The Tumen Ekh Song & Dance Ensemble at the State Youth & Children’s Theatre is the most popular tourist cultural show in town, featuring traditional singers, dancers and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear khöömii, throat singing and see some fabulous costumes. Photography and videography were not permitted but we could see tourist taking pictures in the theatre. The show lasted just over an hour. After the cultural show we were dropped off at the State Department Store for a last minute shopping.