Eco Nature Travel

Have u ever drink your own urine or your own children urine? Unbelievable, right?

This is something amazing that i discovered from my Mongolian friend. One day, my friend was not feeling well and she told me she needs to drink her daughter’s urine when she got back. She told me that when her daughter not feeling well, she will let her daughter drink her own urine and vice versa.It was unbelievable to me at first. She then told me that some Mongolian believe that urine could help to prevent sickness and some even believed that it help to cure cancer. It is very effective for high fever. The urine that they drink will usually be the first discharge in the morning.

Urine is a slightly acidic fluid which carries waste from the kidneys outside the body. However, urine- being a waste product does not mean that it is toxic or harmful. It is just that some substance that the body cannot absorb the substance at the present time which like some leftover foods. Unfortunately, we cannot ingest waste products in the form they had when first ingested. Thus, urine is not likely to be harmful or healthful in some research.

Anyway, some people who have tried it found that it is effective. Is there anyone out there who have tried it? May be you can share with me about the effectiveness on the Urine therapy.

Share This

Ovoo?

"Ovoo" - what does that mean? This is the first question i asked my colleague. She was surprised that i don’t know about it. I told her all i know about Mongolia is about the cold winter, Chinggis Khan and some basic facts about population and economy in Mongolia. I knew nothing about the culture and the way the people live here.

How is Ovoo Performed?

Ovoo ceremony is a traditional religious ceremony where the Mongolians’  pray at the mountain facing the direction which the sun rise. It is an offerings to the gods with a pyramid collection of stones, wood and silk scarves. Mongolians will usually walk around the Ovoo three times in clockwise direction.  Rocks, clothes, a bottle or a little money will then be offered to the prayers. It is also believed that if a person does not do this ritual or behaves disrespectful, the person will fall ill or will die.  Activities like hunting, digging or taking down trees at the presence of the Ovoo is also prohibited. The Ovoo worship ceremony usually consists of monks saying prayers, people making offerings and a small subsequent feast, usually with horse racing.  I heard from my friends that some women are prohibited in certain Ovoo ceremonies. I have not attended any before but i just watched from the TV. The rituals are commonly held around Mongolia especialy in the countryside. It celebrates the end of winter and pray for good rainfall, plentiful grassf or the livestock, fish and anumals for hunting.The mongolians even pray for peace and safety on events around the mountains. It’s kind of interesting..I shall take a picture of it when i see it.

Has anyone seen it before probably you can share with me?

Share This

Ulaanbaatar (Red Hero) is the capital of Mongolia. It is located at 1351 meters above sea level & in the central region on the banks of the River Tuul. It has about 250 years of history. The first capital of Mongolia was Urguu which is located at the Da Khuree Monastery at Arkahngai aimag(province). Ulaanbaatar was established in 1639 as the centre of Buddism in Monoglia and home to Zanabazar – Head of Buddhism in Mongolia. The nomadic encampment shifted from place to place until 1778 when it settled in UB and later ruled by Bogd Khaan. In 1924, it was officially declared the official capital of Mongolia.

UB is a gateway to Mongolia. It has a population of over 1′000′000 and a surface area of 135′800 hectares. It currently contributes 40% of the gross Domestic product. The city is surrounded by Holy Mountains – Bogd Uul, Songino, Bayanzurkh, and Chingeltei mountains. The city is thus divided into 6 districts: Sukhbaatar, Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, SonginoKhairkhain, Khaan Uul and Bayangol. Sukhbaatar district is the central for Government House, Cental Post Office, museums and hotels. UB contrast the aspect of present Mongolian society as well as the traditional nomadic culture. You may also find many Buddhist monasteries, temples, traditional gers and cultural places contrast between modern and socialist era old buildings. Besides that, there are many dining places and pubs popular for foreigners and tourists. UB has the only international airport in the country and the Tran-Siberian railway corssess Mongolia from north to south connecting Moscow and Beijing.

There are a number of museums, cinemas and theaters, art galleries and some shopping centres around UB. However, you can still find some street loitering kids and adults walking around UB. Some could be begging, sleeping along the street and trying to find some food/treasures in the dumpsite. I remember once I found children as young as 4 or 5 years old begging at night in the winter outside some pubs with the family. It is really sympathize seeing them. However, I did not give them any money even few approach by them. I think it is not a proper way to help them in such way. Giving money to them is just making them realized that “Begging” could be a career to these small children to earn a living in the future. This will also encourage the parent to make use of them to beg for life. I have also seen a family got two of their children into the big trash can to dig some rubbish whereas the parent standing ouside the trash can to search for food and valuables from the trash. It is really a pity to see such scene. Thus, I think we should help them through proper channel and not giving money to them on the street. Don’t u think so?

Some picture around UB in the Summer and Winter seasons.

Share This

As i was learning Mongolian now, I also learn the Korean language. Why and How? hehehe…That’s because Korean has great influence in Mongolia too besides Russian.

There are two Korean channels at my apartment. Besides HBO, Cinemax, National Geography, BBC, CNN, AXN and others, the two Korean channels are the  only channels that have English subtitle. Thus, i also picked some up some Korean language in Mongolia..I guess that’s the talent of Malaysian…multi lingual..Learning enough to survive but not expert in all language. However, I do find it easier to learn the Korean language compare to Mongolian as certain words of Korean language sound like some Chinese dialect - Cantonese & Mandarin. Thus, it’s rather easy compare to the Mongolian.

Talking about the Korean influence, you can find a lot of Korean restaurant and company here too. Do u know that besides MIAT airlines - Mongolian Airlines, Korean Air and China Air is another two airlines which have a direct flight to Mongolia. Thus, u can find a lot of Korean tourists here during summer time to escape the humidity of their own country. Enjoy the summer and countryside in Mongolia.

Thus, i usually fly back to Malaysia via Korean Air and took the opportunities to visit Korea. Incheon Airport is certainly the best place to put up for transit. you can find comfortable bench and seat to lie down if u don’t want to spend a night in the hotel. Besides that, it is also an interesting country to explore. However, i managed to go to Dongdaemun, Namdaemun and Insadong for shopping.(I forgot to bring along my camera while i went out. I didn’t manage to take picture at these places.) I would love to explore more of Korea next time.

The next trip i would like to experience the temple stay in Korea. Can u imagine living a temple like a monk? The temple in Korea usually situated at nice surroundings which close to the nature too. Has anyone experience temple stay before?

Pictures of the Incheon Airport

Share This

Can Anybody speak or read Mongolian language? Have u ever thought whether they will be any problem if you have reached a country where u can’t communicate?

Frankly speaking…i never thought that would be a problem as I have been to Italy and Spain as a tourist. I don’t see any big problem with it as they can speak little English. I still remember once i was in Italy and i was trying to ask for the train fare to another city but the ticket seller can’t understand me. I just use an international sign for money - (showing and rubbing my thumb and pointer) - Immediately he get it.

How do i survive here? Most Mongolian can’t speak English or very little English. The are some younger generation who can speak good English and most of them may have studied in foreign country. However, I do find it difficult to communicate here without a translator in the beginning. I was trying to order some room service but yet my food doesn’t come. I still remember i was trying to tell them something and i have to do some actions, draw pictures, body language and it tooks me 3 days for me to lodge the complain to the hotel staff.

I guess if i am a tourist, it may not be too much of problems but since i will be staying here for a year. It’s kind of frustrating in the beginning. I then decided to pick up some language. However, communication is important to create better understanding. Thus, there’s a lot of time spent for me to communicate to get things done. At times, i feel that i am handicapped - can’t do anything i want because i can’t communicate. Besides that, confusion and misunderstanding may also arise. However, I realised one thing - Human is someone who will find their ways to survive no matter how or wherever they live. Thus, i learn to communicate using body language, sign, pictures and drawings to convey message. I will use whatever resources i have. For eg. i will ask the seller to press the calculator or my handphone to get the price of the goods. Of course, u may get slaugther for the price that u pay since they know u are a foreigner. As times goes by, i know the market price. thus, it will not be a problem anymore. U just got to be patient and pay the price to experience it.

Some of the basic Mongolian language:

Hello - Sain Baina uu (San benoo)

Goodbye - Bayartai (baireitey)

Yes - tiim (Tim) or Dza (ZA)

No - Ugui

Thank you - Bayarlalaa (Bailah)

Right - Baruun (Barong)

Left - Zuun (Zhong)

Sorry - Uurchlaarai (Oochlarei)

Is there anyone out there who have some interesting stories on going/living in a place where u can’t communicate?

Do anyone have good advice on how to survive in a country where u can’t communicate?

Do anyone know what will be the best way to learn Mongolian language?

Share This

Hmm…Any interesting events during winter in Mongolia?

Yes..the winter starts somewhere during the month of October and get colder in Dec & Jan & even Feb sometimes…Guess what..The Mongolian celebrate the Tsagaan Sar…What is Tsagaan Sar..it is almost the same as our Chinese New Year in Malaysia but it is one day later cause they follow the Tibetan calculation…I heard.

There is not much of public holiday in Mongolia..This is one of the festive season where the Mongolian will have grand celebration.

The Mongolian will also called this the White month cause during this time you still can see snow around. You will see the elderly wearing their traditional costume called – Del? And with their traditional Mongolian hat..waiting for the younger family member to greet them “ Amarbenoo” – something like “Happy new year”. Besides that, Vodka is a must drink alcohol during this festive seasons. Besides that, they will also be preparing hundreds of meat dumplings called “Buuz”. This is the traditional Mongolian food till to date. You can find the “Buuz” in any supermarket ranging from different sizes and fillings. Sheep is also a must eat dish of the Mongolian. Every single part of the sheep will be eaten from the eyes to the tail..U must see how they enjoy the sheep. It is believe that the sheep actually is good for health..As for me..the smell is rather strong and I am not a heavy meat eater. Thus, I prefer a balance diet

What else…ah…there is another kind of dessert called “Idee” (sound like the malay words – itik) which is stacked up by few layers of bread like a cake and candy, sweets or cheese will be placed on top of it. It will be distributed to the other family member when they leave. It is a symbolic dessert for most of the grand festive celebration like wedding, birthday or their new year.

During this festive season, the younger family member will visit the elderly and exchange gift. The way to greet each other is also different. The younger will have to put their elbow below the elderly’s elbow as a gesture of greetings and vice versa ..then kissing each other cheek…hehehe…this is a special greetings that I have ever encountered..The younger member will usually buy some gifts or give money to the elderly and the elderly too have to prepare some gift in exchange for all members..

That’s the Mongolian way of celebrating New Year! What do you think?

This it the "Idee" which usually can be seen in most of the Mongolia special occasions.

Share This

How cold is Mongolia? The winter here is dry and cold. If u asked me, I would said it is quite cold compare to Malaysia but not as cold as the winter in New York which I have once experienced. It is freezing and I have bad neckache due to the cold weather. I could feel my feet was soaked into a bucket of ice while walking back home after work. I have heard from my friends that Mongolia has a temperature of -40′c +/-but now the lowest temperature is only about -30′c+/-. This probably due to the problem of global warming. I am currently staying in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

During winter season, you can barely see any leaves or greenery either in countryside or the city, just like the winter in other countries. However, the winter here is polluted if u visited some poor area around Mongolia. It seems to be smokey and hazzy in those area. Why? That’s because people in this area are burning rubbish or coal to heat up the "ger" or their house. Can u imagine that? Most modern house and apartment in the city are usually built with heater but there are still lots of houses or ger do not have heating system especially the ger at the countryside. Nomads in the countryside will use dried grass with the shit of cattle an camel to heat up their gers. Does anyone know how does it smell like? I heard it has strong grass smell but never smell it before. Has anyone smell it before?

On the other hand, the mountains around will be covered with white snow and it has another scene of it…If u ask me, it does not have the kind of pure, clean and white scene like the Christmas scene in US or UK…cause it is rather muddy when the snow melt..and I have slipped down few times..Thus, if u are coming for winter..i suggest u get a anti slip shoes which is fit to walk at winter seasons. Besides that, cashmere clothing will be good to keep u warm. Mongolian Cashmere clothing is pure and nice and i heard that it is cheaper than other countries.

Share This

When I was asked to work in Mongolia, i knew nothing about this country. All i know about this country is only the famous Chinggis Khan. I tried to surf the net about information about this country. Then i found out that this is a country with a population of about 2.9mil and its winter can reached -30′c. I was quite nervous about my adveture to this country.

While i looked down from the airplane before i touched down, i could see large piece of dark brownish land, mountains which covered by snow. There are not  many high rise buildings and It looks like a desert. When the airplane touched down, i could only see one airplane in the airport.Oh..gosh…i was asking myself…what kind of place is this?

I was waiting hours for my luggage and it took long time and the airport is just like a small airport in my hometown - Ipoh, 20 years back….

Anyway, I am now in Mongolia. I shall fill up my travel blog with stories of my discovery in Mongolia. Is there anyone out there who has some unique experience about Mongolia?  Let’s share with me in the blog regardless whether it is good or bad.

Cheers!

Share This