Hello Mongolia

Arriving at the Ulaanbaatar train station

Capital of the mongols

It was nice to get some fresh air after five days on the Trans-Siberian railroad. Well, actually it was very polluted due to the heavy traffic in the city, and I wouldn't even dip my toes in the Tuul River.

Reine at Zaisan hill, Ulaanbaatar

Diversity

The sky is filled with smoke from coal power plants and other factories, right in the middle of the city. And just off the view is an old Soviet tank, a legacy from the old times. The capital is the second most polluted city in the world.

View from Zaisan hill, Ulaanbaatar

Traditions

Occasional ger tents appear in the residential areas.

View from Zaisan hill, Ulaanbaatar

House of compassion

This temple was built in 1911 and devoted to Janraiseg, the Boddhisattva of Compassion. That didn't stop the Russians from destroying the 26 meter tall statue inside.

Gandantegchinlen, Ulaanbaatar

A shadow of the past

Several Soviet-era buildings in the city are slated for demolition, but this guy is always present.

Statue of Leinin, Ulaanbaatar

Life in color

Street in Ulaanbaatar

Desert road

Mongolia is the most sparsely populated independent country in the world and there is less than 1500 km of asphalt roads. Fortunately we found one of them.

Mongolia

Son of a preacher man

To achieve happiness, walk around it three times clock-wise and add a rock for each lap.

Mongolia

Easy living

After five days on the Trans-Siberian train, this freezing tent felt like pure luxury.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Autumn beauty

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

A room with a view

After five days on the Trans-Siberian train, this freezing tent felt like pure luxury.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Teenage mutant ninja rock

Turtle Rock, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Uphill

Occasional view from the saddle.

Horseback riding in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

King of the hill

Reine in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

I can see my house from here

The ideal living for those who hate neighbours.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Up where we belong

Climbing goats in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park