By Train and Jeep to Ikh Nart (4 June 2012)

We were ready at 0830 - just! - and the jeeps picked us up from Zaya's. The big luggage will go ahead by jeep to Shivee Gobi where we get off the train, so there's less clutter in the compartment. This looks like a sleeping compartment - there are 2 bunks above us folded up.

The rain seems to have made things a bit greener around UB, and we were surprised how far the small compounds extend beyond the city. 1.8 million of Mongolia's people live in UB, out of a total population of 3.8 million.

We had plenty of time to chat on the train, getting to know each other a bit; I suppose we'll know each other much better after 2 weeks working together...

Off the train at Shivee Gobi, we found the jeeps waiting for us and piled in. We set off at high speed up a slope which seemed to be a 20 lane dirt highway, raising clouds of dust in the process. We were in the Toyota, which is a bit more comfortable than the Russian Jeep where the back seats fold spontaneously as you go downhill! (This video is better with the sound on!)

Arrived at Ikh Nart camp - Ikh Nart means "Big Sun" - and were allocated to gers. Ciera, Bernie, Susan and I are in one together, and Chelsea is in with Gana and Roger in the "office". Dinner is served in the dining ger and there is a kitchen ger and several other gers where the staff, students and researchers live. This picture shows the camp and Camel Rock behind, where folk go to try and get a mobile signal!

We get water from a water hole and filter it by hanging a filter bag from the ger post and letting it run through into a covered bucket. Fortunately we have a big mineral water bottle that we brought from UB, so we can decant from the bucket into that and fill water bottles more easily. The loos are "long-drop" (enough said), with a system of flags for Vacant and Engaged :) We use sun-showers: fill a shower bag with water, lay it out on a flat rock for a few hours and the sun heats it up nicely, then you hoist t up in the shower cabin and enjoy...!

There was a lovely sunset this evening; in the morning there will be training from the researchers about their projects and what we'll be doing...