Eco Nature Travel

What’s a nature camp? Is it fun? If you are a nature lover, probably you will like it….

My company organised a summer camp in early August to this summer camp. It has nothing but surrounded by mountain contrast with the bright blue sky. There’s a river nearby called the Tuul River for you swim, wash your hairs or take a shower if you want.  Yes, no shopping center, no TV, no air-cond, no restaurants nearby, no cinemas… Oh, yes, there is no proper toilet but a wooden built house with no door and a big hole underneath for you to settle your business. Thus, it may be a boring place to some people who use to the modern lifestyle. It is certainly a good place to runaway from the hustle and bustle life of the city for me. A short stay of experiencing such a simple life in a remote area like this is certainly a good therapy to relax your mind.

Barbecue in the Summer with open nature surroundings

What I like most is barbecue in the summer of Mongolia. It may be hot and sunny but it is windy. Thus, it makes u feel not too hot to have barbecue. Of course, the food is the one that will make u enjoy most. Besides that, doing it with the surroundings of the nature. That is really awesome. Not like Malaysia, it would be better to barbecue at night and even that, u will sweat like mad.

Swimming & Washing up in a crystal clear river

The water is cool and cold although it is summer time. I was shivering when i was thrown into the river by my colleagues. Animals nearby will come to the river for thirst. As there’s no proper toilet for shower, i decided to dry clean myself. My colleague whose locals just walked to the river and wash their hairs along the river. It was a nice scene which i have took a picture of it…It was quite fun to play with the shallow water and canoeing or kayaking along the river is fun too.

Settle business in the bush

As I approach the wooden no door toilet…I see many flies around, I can’t really step in. How do I settle my business? Do it in the bush where it’s not so noticeable. It is more difficult when u want to do it at night as the bush will be dark. Thus, don’t drink too much water before u sleep. Well, i remember when it takes 4hours to reach KL before the current North-south highway of Malaysia was built, there is not highways and rest area for us to pee. My parent will usually pull over and asked us to settled along the road side. That was when we were small & ignorant. It is unbelievable that i do that again after so many years…out of no choice..

Does this consider one of the nature stay? I think so.

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Technorati Tags: flowers,flora,mongolia,Ulaabaatar,Ulan bator,summer

Do u know that the capital is usually crowded and the most polluted place in the country? This does not exclude the capital of Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator). What is so special about this place? Have u noticed the flowers grown around UB?

During the winter, this place smell smokey everywhere as people burn wood or coal for heating purposes. When comes to summer, u can see flowers blooming everywhere, people started to wear casually like Malaysia. Besides that, everywhere is grown with nice and beautiful flowers. Although it is being developed but u still can see nicely grown flowers grown every where - along the road side, walkway, and not to mention about the country side. To me, all these flowers have beautified the place with various colours and added lives to this place compare to the winter. When u have experienced the cold & harsh winter here, u will definitely appreciate the beauty of the summer in UB.

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Technorati Tags: mongolia gers,ger,yurt,mongolia tent,tourist camp,travel mongolia,discover mongolia,cultural stay,home stay mongolia,culture

Both "Girls" and "Gers" have the same sound. When u heard people said The Mongolian Ger is nice - Make sure u clarify whether that’s a Ger or Girl the person are referring? hehehe

What is the Mongolian Ger? Have u seen one? A Mongolian Ger (meaning home in Mongolian) or "Yurt" (in English) is a large white tent which could keep the Mongolians living comfortably from the harsh and extreme weather. U will not see so many gers in other parts of the world except in Mongolia. Many Mongolians still live in the gers and you can find gers around the city easily. It is the symbolic of the Mongolian nomadic life and culture.  This is because nomadic people need to build dwellings that could be easily moved and mobile. A ger can be assembled in 1-3hours.

The ger may look flimsy or may not seem to have a solid structure but it could actually withstand strong wind or stand storm in Mongolia. The Ger structure is supported by collapsible wooden frame. The Ger is covered by canvas with insulating layer of felt sandwiched in between.More layer will be added during the winter to keep the ger warm. During the summer, the sides of the Ger can be rolled up and mosquitoes netting is used to stop the bugs from flying into the ger. The door of a Ger usually faces the south. Men usually move around the left and women vice versa, with the believe that the protection from the God of sky (men) and sun (women). There is a small cartwheel-shaped opening at the top of a ger which called toon. It allows smoke to exit and air to enter. The walls and doors are usually brightly painted.

Of course, the Ger is not like a any modern house in the capital or any other brick house where u get modern toilet, kitchen, living room and few bedrooms. The basic facilities of the ger is some low beds, few simple cabinets, a table and chairs and a stove. The stove with a steel chimney is being used for cookiing and keeping the ger warm by burning the firewood. There isn’t any central heat adjuster and the door is the only adjuster of the heat during winter.  Some gers don’t even have electricity supply in the country side. There are a lot of tourist camp which offered Ger camp stay. It is certainly a good and unique experience to stay in the ger if u have not experience traditional ancient stay like the nomadic people here.

These are some Ger camp pictures which i have took below. I have experienced it during the summer and winter. I was surprised that it keep us cool during the summer and keep us warm during the winter. The problem during the winter is that u need to wake up during the night to burn the firewood when the wood finished burning, and i can’t shower in the ger or the camp as there was no hot water in some camps and some camps do not have a proper toilet…Thus,  be prepared and enjoy the nature living in Mongolia and i think this is one of the best place u can get close to the nature especially during the summer.

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In the 13th Century Park, u may find the various camp at different site. Unfortunately, there are no sign board and it’s not easy for a foreigners to find these camps without a guide unless u can recognise the mountains in the country side.

U can find these camps in the 13th Century Park:

i) Craftsmen Camp - Mongolian blacksmiths and the craftsmen work were quite popular in the 13th Century. In the craftsmen camp, you will see the craftsmen artwork such as household utensils, women’s ornaments, jewelry, arms and tools etc.

ii) Educational Camp - U will be able to know something about the unique mongolian culture & literacy. Tourists are offered to practise Mongolian calligraphy and the Mongolian scripts.

iii) Herders Camp - U can see the methods of producing dairy products, horse training and you may experience riding horse, yak and camel as an experience of the 13th Century.

iv) Shaman camp - The Shamans of Mongolians from different clans will usually gather around fireplace under one common area and perform a ritual to worship together for one common deed.  Sometimes, several kinds of worshipping will be organised for visitors.

v) King Palace - You will get to know about the state affairs of 13th Century Mongols such as declaring the laws by carrying a great forum outside the camp. There will also be some reception programs offered to visitors such as a musical presentation with their traditional music instruments. U may also enjoy the King’s Great Feast in this camp.

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