Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar again & Moscow

After being outdoors for so long, you only realise your odour after the shower, when you enter the room and smell the dirty clothes. Ugh! So that's why all the people in the mall looked so annoyed! When we are clean we can meet the other group of Belgians, who arrived just a few days ago. It's great fun to scare them with stories about the lack of hygiene and paved roads.

The biggest Naadam events take place in Ulaanbaatar. We go see the opening ceremony (watch out for cheap tickets, the seats can have a horrible view), wrestling and fireworks. The last part is the most spectacular, with an incredible amount of fireworks used.

We end up in a karaoke bar and some vodka helps to produce unique renditions of among others The Pianoman, Creep and Bleed It Out!

The next day is though. Not only because of the hangover, but also the sandstorm and the horrible traffic. We manage to get trough it, and see the carnival and the big horse race outside of the city. Then we say goodbye to the other Belgians as they leave for more adventures on the Mongolian road.

Our own remaining adventures are limited to some museum visits, a dance performance and some souvenir shopping.

Before we arrive back to Belgium, we have 8 hours to spend in Moscow (you'll need a visa to leave the airport). I was there once in winter, but with some sunshine the city appears much more beautiful. Highlights are Lenin's tomb, St. Basil's Cathedral and Arbat Street. Tired but satisfied we get back to the airport and so ends an amazing journey!

Link to the complete album