After breakfast, we visited a local nomadic family to learn about their lives.  They are a family of 5 and have 2 Ger’s, one for sleeping and one that serves as the kitchen/family area.  The children were in it watching tv.  It’s mind-boggling to see satellite dishes and cell phones even in the remotest area’s of Mongolia.  They have solar panels that generate their electricity.  The Nomad wife discussed via our translator their daily routines including the management of their livestock, children’s schooling and chores, food preparation, etc.  She had a meal of fermented yogurt, crackers and donuts  with fermented butter prepared for us to enjoy during the visit.  This family moves their Ger location 3-4 times/year in search of better pasture land for their animals.

Terelj National Park is the most popular destination and the third biggest protected area in Mongolia.  It is located 80 km away from Ulaanbaatar and is one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia.  The landscapes here in the park are stunning and such a stark contrast to what we see in Ulaanbaatar or the Gobi.  Fascinating rock formations are all around us and there are pine covered mountains and streams.  Many rivers flow through the park, notably the Tuul, the Terelj and the Baruunbayan Rivers.  The first 12.5 miles of the park have been developed for tourism (there are numerous yurts camps), but the rest of the park is wild land and most of it is not accessible to vehicles.  We visited one of the most famous rock formations in the park, Turtle Rock,  and got some photo’s.  Afterwards, Jim opted to hike up to a temple and I went back to the hotel for some pool time.  We enjoyed a relaxed lunch and then headed out to the woods for a Shaman ceremony.  Shamanism was the main religion throughout much of Mongolia’s history.  The Shaman is a person who practices divination and healing by accessing and influencing the world of the benevolent and malevolent spirits during the ritual.  The Shaman experience was very interesting.  Jim and I both went up for a session.  I was told that I am in good health but need to keep walking (I swear he saw my fitbit under my clothes!).  He also told me I need to be careful about riding in cars..duh!  And that I will have a health problem in December and heart pain in 2 years.  Guess I should schedule a heart cath now!  He was more precise with Jim.   He told Jim he needs to start eating less salt (same thing I’ve been saying for years!).  He also told him we need to have our minister over to our house.  There is something evil in our house and we need to put a clockwise Swasitka (the religious Indian symbol, not the one Hitler created for himself) in our basement.  Jim’s worried Phil’s the evil spirit!  Anyway, there was a lot of drum beating, dancing  and chanting (kind of like Betty White in The Proposal!) and much smoking, vodka drinking and snuff ingestion from a little dropper in a vial.

When we returned to the hotel, I took a late afternoon horseback ride around the crest of the valley near our hotel.  Rode a sassy stallion who immediately bolted as I was trying to dismount and went over and started peeing buckets of urine at his girlfriend’s feet.  I felt the need to go over and lecture him about his poor manners with women!

Tonight we had a special dinner with entertainment by a throat singer/musician.  He is a Mongolian celebrity and known throughout the world.  In addition to throat singing he is a renowned Morin Huur player.  When he’s not singing or competing, he teaches at the University.  He was quite amazing….and cute!  Jim got some great video of his performance.  We had a yummy dinner and once again enjoyed the delicious Chocolate Molten Lava Cake desert.
Overnight: Terelj Hotel

Mama & Baby Yak

Jim’s Shaman Session

My rude Horse peeing by his girlfriend!

The Throat Singer Musician