Weekend Getaway: The Desert

Last weekend I set off for the gobi by train with 4 friends. We spent all day Saturday on the train, then had 24 hours around Sainshand, then Sunday night on the train to get back in time for work. The scenerey was stunning. The desert was amazing: especially in winter. Snow covered sand dunes...just breathtaking!

Close to the city where the train stopped is one of the three major buddhist sites for Mongolians. Called the "energy centre", the site was home to a special monk a few hundred years ago. It is believed he could transport himself from Mongolia to Tibet in the blink of an eye. More tangible signs of his skills are left in his poems and dramatic works. He predicted his death three years early and it came to pass as he had said - he told his followers they could access his spirit forever from the site of the energy centre.

The platform in Choir, the main stop halfway (5 hours) between UB and Sainshand.

Our spread: 1kg of Doritos, Mongolian Sushi, Meatballs and tomato and vegie sauce, Yak Cheese (Yummmm, but super strong smelling), boiled eggs...

Breast rocks. Brings fertility for women...

The 5th biggest stupa in the world. Finished in September last year: brand new, super fancy. Huge inside. Dedicated to the dramatic monk.

THE energy centre - sitting on the ground, exposing your hands to the sun to absorb the energy. The effect on us foreigners was unanimously to feel extremely cold.

A giant-bell in the middle of the desert. There was a circle of stupas (the white statues) about 50-100m apart dotted from the monastery to the bell to the energy centre, to some caves.

Ring the bell three times for good fortune. My advice: take in the amazing view of nothing that is the desert and get your fill of inspiration.

Our slightly short driver (super friendly guy) with one of the giant-like german journeymen!

A novelty for the weekend was our accidental travel companions. Four german-speaking "journeyman": carpenters spending three years and one day traveling the world following the completion of the apprenticeships to learn skills and share skills, upholding an 800 year tradition. Super cool! They have to wear their traditional uniform, including hat - they carry two sets, one to work in and one to travel in. This rule extends even to super cold climates, like Mongolia: no adding a big coat or beanie or boots...so they were freaking cold. Wikipedia info here

Climbing this mountain in the middle of the flat desert. Men can go to the top, women only half way.

Me as high as women can go. The view from here was stunning enough.

Camels in the desert! With snow! Just amazing.