Mongolia

During July 9-15 I went to Mongolia, the land of the world's great warrior Genghis Khan. Our group consisted of 19 people. Most of us went to Beijing first but, since I used to go there a couple of years ago, I joined them later. We arrived at Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia on July 10. Mr. Gonzoric, the Mongolian diplomat, and Madame Densma, his wife, warmly welcomed us. They took care and reserved his own hotel, Gobi Sauna Complex, for us all. We have visited various interesting places such as the Mongol monastery, the Naadam Festival's Opening Ceremony, the 13th Century Mongolia, etc. We have stayed in the traditional "Ger", seen the horse racing competition, tried horse riding, and had fun shopping for Cashmier sweaters and North Face jackets, etc. Although the weather was rather hot and sunny, I had a memorable and wonderful time there.

For more photos of Mongolia, please visit my photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/anbunnag/Mongolia.

The Gobi Complex consists of a hotel and a sauna. The Sauna is very famous and always fully booked.


The VIP Room in the Sauna


The Fitness Club


We had the first dinner in the restaurant in the Sauna, where everybody had to dress in sauna uniform.

Winter Palace of Bogd Khan

P' Tim at the top of the Zaisan Memory Hill and Scenic.

Mongolian people paraded at the Naadam Festival's Opening Ceremony on Mongolian National Day.

Mr. Gonzoric and his son, Tem, took us to see the horse racing competition on the Mongolian National Day.


Behind me was the Ger, where we had traditional Mongolian lunch.



Dr. Sumet demonstrated how to use a Mongolian toilet in the middle of the grass field.


Aor, Nom, and Mi

We spent a night at the Terelj Camp, a resort for tourists, 55 kms from Ulaanbaatar.



Beautiful rock mountains


Khun Sivaporn and family


In front of the ger where I stayed with Khun Chanthra

Mi, Noi and Busaba were so happy that they turned crazy.


Khun Sivaporn and the Mongol warriors


On the hill we could see gers and camps in the distance.


It was a great honour to pose with Dr. Sumet.

Mongolian Food:


Looks like beef stew at a food stall at the Nadaam Festival


Fermented horse milk, or Arak, is usually the welcome drink in traditional Mongolian meals.


Mr. Gonzoric treated us to the traditional Mongolian lunch in the Ger. In front of him was bread and various types of meat - beef, lamb, horse, goat, etc., which he later distributed them to everybody. Most Mongolians don't eat vegetables. They prefers meat as it keeps them warm in the winter.


The Teppanyaki food style in a trendy Mongolian Barbeque grill restaurant in Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia is the Land of Blue Sky.

Some sweet couples :


Khun Pichai and Busaba


Khun Sivaporn and P' Rochana


Noi and Suthas


Mi and Tem