Yesterday was a hectic day. We met with Graham Taylor at his office. He has a thriving business here in Ulaan Baatar. His travel organisation (which caters for Aussies, Brits, Germans, Americans and anyone else) takes people out cameleering, walking, climbing, fishing and you name it. He also has a thriving wine import business – mainly importing Australian wines. He explained the difficulty of keeping wine at the correct temperature and getting the stock to Ulaan Baatar. It is quite fascinating.
Dick and Graham Taylor in the offices of Karakoram ExpeditionsDick, Graham and Pip
Graham is obviously a good businessman. All of his staff were enthusiastic – it reminded me of the old Dick Smith Electronics and Australian Geographic days when the companies were small.
We were then taken to visit the Ford dealer and met the service manager, B. Batsaikhan – or “Baggii” for short. We immediately realised that we were dealing with a competent group. There were lots of Fords being serviced and the workshop was excellent with proper hoists and all of the electronic equipment required.
Dick talking to Baggii
We arranged for Baggii to send one of his best mechanics and diagnostic equipment to Khovd in the next few days to see if they can find out what is wrong with the Earthroamer.
We then went to the airport and met the man in charge of foreign affairs for the Civil Aviation Authority. Mongolia is really moving ahead on the civil aviation front and their CAA actually promotes an increase in civil aviation activity. It is very forward-thinking.
Driving down one of the main streets in Ulaan Baatar
Last night we went to an excellent folk music show. It was really top class.
Mongolian dancersYoung Mongolian contortionists
Today we are heading off to a “ger” camp for the night. It looks freezing outside the hotel – we noticed a snow cover on the hills.
On Thursday morning we will catch the train to Beijing. Crossing the Gobi Desert by train has been a dream of Dick’s for many years. The interesting thing is that at the border we will have to stay in the carriages while they change the bogies to a different gauge. It appears that the track also goes through a little tunnel under The Great Wall of China, and we will actually stop and see The Great Wall again.
After one night in Beijing we will travel down to Hong Kong and stay at the friendly Peninsula Hotel. We will be back home in Sydney hopefully on Monday morning.
Click here for the next entry– we stay in a Ger and see wild Mongolian horses.
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