The day started early as there were no curtains in the room and the mattresses were not that comfortable. None of us slept well. Tired, but happy we set off for Ulaanbaatar. We had 360 km to make today. The scenery over the whole drive was very similar to what we saw in Tuva, Khakassia and Buryatia, except there were more gers (traditional nomad's round houses) in sight.
As we left Altanbulag, we passed by the first toll where we paid 1000 tugriks (38 US cents). We had three more until Ulaanbaatar - each at 1000 tugriks. The road was rather poor, so it was not evident where this money goes. However, we later learned that major roadworks were taking place. As we arrived to Darkhan - quite a large town - we got a bit lost as the main road was closed, but we found an alternative route. Then we entered a rally-type road with no traffic rules - this was our taster of the Silk Way Rally, which will be happening here in a couple of days. Approaching Ulaanbaatar, traffic got crazy with cars changing lanes as they liked. As we drove, we noticed an astounding amount of Toyota Priuses - apparently 13% of all cars in Mongolia are Toyota Prius - bought used from Japan auctions.
As we happily arrived in our Ramada hotel at the center of Ulaanbaatar after 3pm, we found a nice clean room waiting for us for three nights. First surprise was large power outlets catering for different types of plugs - we thought this was the hotel feature to accommodate the power needs of tourists from all over the world. Well, we figured out that they needed it for their own appliances.
We then went for a walk in the centre visiting the Chinggis Khaan statue at the Central Sukhbaatar Square and the Mongolian Parliament building. We ended the day with a dinner at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel with views over the Ulaanbaatar and hills surrounding it which reminded me (Anna) so much of Kyzyl in Tuva, although greener.
As we left Altanbulag, we passed by the first toll where we paid 1000 tugriks (38 US cents). We had three more until Ulaanbaatar - each at 1000 tugriks. The road was rather poor, so it was not evident where this money goes. However, we later learned that major roadworks were taking place. As we arrived to Darkhan - quite a large town - we got a bit lost as the main road was closed, but we found an alternative route. Then we entered a rally-type road with no traffic rules - this was our taster of the Silk Way Rally, which will be happening here in a couple of days. Approaching Ulaanbaatar, traffic got crazy with cars changing lanes as they liked. As we drove, we noticed an astounding amount of Toyota Priuses - apparently 13% of all cars in Mongolia are Toyota Prius - bought used from Japan auctions.
As we happily arrived in our Ramada hotel at the center of Ulaanbaatar after 3pm, we found a nice clean room waiting for us for three nights. First surprise was large power outlets catering for different types of plugs - we thought this was the hotel feature to accommodate the power needs of tourists from all over the world. Well, we figured out that they needed it for their own appliances.
We then went for a walk in the centre visiting the Chinggis Khaan statue at the Central Sukhbaatar Square and the Mongolian Parliament building. We ended the day with a dinner at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel with views over the Ulaanbaatar and hills surrounding it which reminded me (Anna) so much of Kyzyl in Tuva, although greener.
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| Bon o Bon sweets from Argentina - you can find them in Ulaanbaatar! |
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| I am rich! Feels like playing monopoly |
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