As I stared out at the canyon all I could think was one thing: I don’t want to leave.
I’d been in Mongolia for almost two weeks, most of that time driving around the Gobi desert and Central Mongolia in an ancient Russian 4×4 van with five other people who at the start of this trip were strangers but by now had become good friends. We’d been to ancient monasteries and had helped assemble a ger. We’d ridden camels and we all swore we’d never do it again. We’d trekked down canyons, climbed mountains and sand dunes and scrambled up rock formations.
We’d called our wonderful driver ‘Togo’ the whole time, only realizing later that we’d been pronouncing his name wrong, and had in fact been calling him the word for the box of dried cow dung used to fire up the stove in our ger every night. Yes, we had been calling our lovely driver ‘Shit Box’.*
*Note: I don’t remember how we came to this realization and I’m not sure it’s actually true, but it’s the conclusion we came to at the time.
We’d eaten copious amounts of Snickers bars and Choco Pies in between our mostly uninspiring meals. We had wandered through a Mongolian town together, pointing at a picture of vegetables to everyone we saw, hoping that someone would tell us where to buy some. We’d played with all the kids.
And I wanted to see more. The problem was, my Russian visa would begin in a week’s time, whether I was actually there or not. By staying longer in Mongolia I’d be sacrificing a week of Russia. What a decision.
But in the end it was not much of a decision to make. As I stood on the edge of that canyon I knew: I could not leave yet. I wasn’t finished. This country had gotten under my skin and into my heart like few others, and I needed to stay longer.
So when we got back to Ulaanbataar, one couple had to leave and the four of us that were left embarked on another trip, this time an 8 day journey up to Khovsgol Lake and back. We rode horses to the lake and camped beside it for two very cold nights; so cold that I couldn’t sleep and instead got up to watch the stunning sunrise.
And with that, Mongolia had me. Ever since then, when asked about my favourite country to visit, Mongolia has always been near the top of the list. Because let’s face it, any country that can make me get up for sunrise must be pretty amazing!
So here you go, a selection of photos of Mongolia to make you want to pack your bags and go today!
Got your bags packed yet? Did these photos of Mongolia at least make you think about it? Got questions about how to do it? Ask me in the comments!
Great pictures of Mongolia. Its one of those places that always seems untamed by our modern world still today. I think it would be amazing to visit
It’s an incredible place to visit! You’re right, it’s still so wild and so much of it is so untouched.
I had so much trouble choosing these pictures, and honestly, I’d love to go back and see more and take more pics! Nowadays I’m a much better photographer with a better camera than I had then. Oh, the things I could do! So yes, you should visit! 🙂
OMG, you had me laughing throughout the night about how you pronounced “Togo” and what it meant! Just have to ask, did he ever say “Back at you!” ? 😀 Loved your photos, you sure captured Mongolia perfectly.
Glad you like my pictures Nancy! No, Togo never said anything but he also didn’t speak much English at all, so I don’t think he could have if he’d wanted to! We were all pretty appalled when we realized it but it’s funny now! 🙂
Hi Jenny,
The title of your post tells it all and it so true. We’re planning to visit Mongolia in about a year or two. It’s looks like such an amazing country and the landscape… Wow!
Thanks for sharing. Love the photos, by the way.
Cheers,
Reni
Thanks Reni! It’s one of my most favourite countries I’ve ever been to. Glad you liked my post!
wow. amazing photos. I can picture Ghengis Khan riding through that open land. I am planning a trip on the trans-siberian railway which will take me through Mongolia, so looking forward to that and these photos have brought it even closer 🙂
Thanks Dave! Yeah, Genghis and his army all on horseback, galloping, swords and shields ready…it’s an easy thing to imagine isn’t it? I also did this trip as a part of the trans-siberian, and I’m so glad I made the stop. You’ll love it! 🙂
Someone I met recently said that his favourite place is Mongolia and highly recommended me going. After seeing these photos I can see what he was talking about!!
It’s one of my favourites too Samantha! And you should definitely go! I’d love to go back and see more too. 🙂
Lovely pictures! I’ve always wanted to visit mongolia as a participant of the mongol rally, hopefully someday soon 🙂
Thanks! You should definitely go. Doing the Mongol Rally would be an amazing way to see it and great fun! 🙂
Absolutely stunning photos, especially the sunset shot! We can’t wait to do the Trans-Mongolian this year so we can explore this wonderfully vast country.
Thank you! I’m jealous that you get to go! I want to go again! 😉 Enjoy!
These absolutely make me want to go! Checking the cost of flights from Seoul now.
Do it! Seoul is a great place to go from, because it’s not too far and there’s kind of a special relationship between Korea and Mongolia. At least I remember that a lot of the beer in Ulaanbataar was Korean beer! (The things you remember, eh?) 😉