Travel Photography | 28. Experiencing Ulaanbaatar with new friends was Awesome!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The first thing we did in the morning (well, the second thing) was to move to another hostel. One recommended by our previous host Denis, Lotus guesthouse. It was sooo much better, even though it was more expensive (10$) we took it.

Take a look at the rooms!

Of course, we got the crappy one not shown on the picture as the same group of elderly British fatties that took over the hostel in Ulan-Ude, were taking over these two awesome rooms.

Later when we met with the others, Elise and Jasper were ready to move out from their crappy hostel too, so I brought them here! Now we are all staying in the same place, except for Vladimira and Chris.

Later on, Elise told me those clocks are actually both stopped in different time.

Architectural restaurant :D

This one was in front of a popular vegetarian restaurant (yes, we are still in Mongolia) we went for a lunch and a brainstorm about our very near overlapping fates. The conclusion was, we’d take a local bus to Gobi desert (12-18hours/19€) and see if we can find a jeep and a driver to rent for 4 or so days.

It's nice to find people with similar flexibility in their schedules to embark on an adventure with not so thorough plans. The only thing that worries me a little is the temperature swings (Mongolia has one of the biggest diurnal ranges). Meaning it can be +20 daytime and -10 in the night. And I am not equipped to sleep outside in such conditions. I’m sure we will figure something out. But don’t be surprised if this is the last you hear from me. (just kidding)

A fellow gamer in Lotus guesthouse. A big fan of Angry Birds and plants vs zombies! And, he spoke a little English (whispering YESS! Every time he hit a pig).

There is a funny story behind this sail-shaped building (our previous host Denis in Ulan-Ude told us). Apparently what you see here is the world’s most expensive landmark. It was supposed to be the tallest, greatest skyscraper of all Mongolia. Only once the frame and facades were up, the engineers realised the ground and foundations will not support the building in full load! All in all. Now it is just an empty shell.

From the pictures, you can make out that most floors don’t even have partitions. However, it seems they have some sort of maintenance and security, as some of the windows were lit during the night.

AND the bus is coming! The traffic here is hectic, especially the rush hour because the 2 million people city only has like 4 big streets that are always packed. Crossing streets is a challenge on its own.

Tour Elise. On a bus to the highest point in the city for a nice view of the sunset. Picture of Elise taking picture of Vladimira and Chris and me taking a picture of her.

Granma comin in.

Double rich, just like in China! (I used to have shoes labeled “rich boss”, from China naturally)

After climing on top, we were greeted by this marvelous piece of work.

View from the top.

Hilltop activities!

And nobody played with this poor little girl…

History lecture.

Elise taking pictures of people in the pictures.

My signature ear-flap(TM)

Vuh.

(First published 16/10/2011 at LiveJournal)