At last - Bryan got to gallop

Today we had planned an early start, well 10am, to go for a days horse riding. We woke up at 8am, breakfast at 9am, and out of the door at 10am ready to go riding. Our horses were ready, three dun horses all looking the same and very beautiful. We set off with our guide, Mowgi, he was very friendly although he could not speak any English. We headed out to where we walked yesterday, up the hill and over the top, much quicker than walking. Down the other side of the hill towards the river. When we arrived at the river which was quite fast flowing and we tied the horses to a tree - it was a really beautiful scene. We played skimming stones over the water with Mowgi (apparently this game is the same in any language). Bryan reached the other side with his stone (show off!) then he decide it was time for a wash, remember neither of us had any running water since arriving at the ger camp. So Bryan stripped naked and jumped into the water which was brisk to say the least, but at least he was no longer smelly! We couldn’t stay there forever so we untied the horses and headed further up river. This time it was flat and Bryan really wanted to gallop as he had only managed to canter up until now. So we all shot off but only managed a canter again, sorry Bryan. Then we walked our horses through a wonderful field of wild flowers and trees by the side of the river. It was just stunning. Then back out in to the open and another short canter (still no gallop for Bryan). Now we could see for miles and miles. The views were just stunning (I’m not sure what other words we can use but stunning seems to be the best but I know we have used it a lot!) After about three hours of riding in amazing (there’s a different word) scenery we headed back up a hill and stopped at the crest and wow what a view. This time the view was looking over the steppes and far in the distance we could see the statue of Chinggis Khaan on his horse all in silver some 20 kilometres away it was huge even from this distance. Riding over the hillside not following any tracks was just brilliant, the freedom to go anywhere and no fences or restrictions. Finally after all the amazing ride we headed back over the mountain, this time we could see a storm approaching so we sheltered in an old barn. After about 20 minutes we set off out again, but this time the horses where fresh and ready to go. So riding back up the hill the horses needed to be held back until finally we let them go, whoosh, we were off, but this time we galloped (yeah Bryan!)both Bryan and Jody next to each other. Then fast approaching was a dip in the land, Jody went down and up the other side, Bryan followed suit and made it with no trouble at all (thankfully as we don’t want a broken leg spoiling our trip at this stage). Up the hill and this time when we reached the top we were at the highest peak looking down in to the valley where our ger was, it was breathtaking. We finally arrived back around 5:30, got off our horses, we thanked our guide for such an amazing day and best of all - only paid £23 for a days riding for the two of us. We can't wait until our next ride but for the time being we'll just have to see how our legs and bums fare for the next couple of days! When we returned the airag (fermented mares milk) was ready for drinking which we tried is was quite nice, tasted smooth, very slightly milky, but it was fizzy like a soda. We were told it was 8% proof so more like wine and that having too much would cause a headache in the morning. Not only that with the fermentation still going on in your stomach it would for sure give you the runs the next day. In the distance we could hear a storm, by the time it reached us is was huge, a flash of lightning directly followed by thunder which lasted for some 20 seconds every time, it was loud and right above our heads and we were in of Ger with the chimney already to act like a lighting conductor. You must remember that there is nothing around just open fields and our Ger was the highest. Anyhow fire on and the storm soon past and we were fast asleep on our last night. Ger Camp Room rating: 9/10 - brilliant and very cosy Location: 10/10 - fantastic location in the National Park Family: 7/10 - language was a barrier to the old lady Value for Money: 10/10 Other comments: unique experience and totally different from anything we have done before. Very hard to put into words Stay again? yes definitely but would try to find a different family that would let us be more involved in the work on the farm. We sense the old lady’s standoffishness was because she was reluctant to try and communicate with us Overall area experience: 10/10 this was out of this world!!!