It was a quick whip around the sights and tourist traps outside UB today. Heading for Terelj National Park we stopped off at a couple of holy sites with attached curio shops. Not too intersting but V did finally find something to use as a wallet. Our drivers – really cool guys – were both off duty policemen. So no hold-ups at toll roads etc. Very smart of the tour company, guaranteing hassle free operations.

V elected (to my relief) not to take a ride on the twin humped camels – we did enough camel jockeying in Oman. The scenery in the valley leading to the park is stunning, we should have found a Ger camp there. Interesting rocks like the ‘Turtle’ provided a chance to put our rusty climbing motor engrams to work – always fun.

The last stop was our first introduction to Buddhist temples. A reasonable climb uphill followed by a rickety bridge out of an Indiana Jones movie (with a sign stating: max 4 people) and 108 (I counted) stairs got us to the oddly decorated temple. Buddhist art is freaky with monsters and trully gruesome scenes on every panel. These guys must have been high. The temple seems to be treated as an attraction and novel entertainment for tourists. How great would it be if every religion and place of worship in the world were treated as tourist attractions or entertainment (preferably comedy).

[Pictures: My V and the view from the temple]

– Posted from my iPhone