Monday, July 30, 2012

Mongolian Dumplings

Our gorgeous family really treated us on our last day of the build. 
All the women in the family made fresh dumplings and then steamed them on the ger campfire ready for 23 of us to demolish! 
They were delicious!








And lets not forget about the cheeses and mares milk that always accompanies a traditional ger feast!




Saturday, July 21, 2012

The build team
















Posted by the Ger to Go team











Nana naps


Its important to make sure you get some good rest after working so hard! Here's some fabulous places to take a nap:


  • The most comfy couch in hotel reception


  • In the ger





  • On site!




- live posts from the Ger to Go Team

Friday, July 20, 2012

Wrestling in Mongolia - eagle style

Wrestling is one of the mighty sports at the Nadaam festival. Saluting to the flag with arms up to represent the eagle, they they engage in a real tussle.


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And we are so proud of Bodhi who joined in the ring to wrestle with the adults as they didn't believe he was 14!












Posted by the GertoGo team

Horse riding adventure




Horse riding on the steppe was just amazing. We did a couple of different rides.

First was riding out from the Taikhar Stone across open plains for over an hour, past grazing horses, sheep and goats and we then walked up a steep mountain to admire the gorgeous view across the steppe.


Our little horse guide was fantastic. Such a cutie, very helpful and even told us an ancient story about the local area.



We had a few small interesting incidents on our trail!

  • Natasha bolting away at speed with the only way to stop was to jump off


  • Mr sleezy - our other guide was very keen on riding up close to us and making smooching guestures. Ewww!


  • Lynwen's horse decided to just not go home or move. Mr sleazy was pleased about that as it meant he could then be close by for more flirting gestures!



  • Still a ride that was definitely one to remember!
    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Thursday, July 19, 2012

    Korean Mongolian dinner

    Delicious dinner we had tonight! Such a feast.





    And a spot of dancing afterwards








    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Location:Arvaikheer,Mongolia

    The build - day 3

    We are getting stronger (and sorer!) each day as we haul bricks, make cement, lay bricks and put up the insulation.

    By day 3 we had made some great progress. Everyone is working great together, and taken ownership of parts of the house. Lizzy and Noela are laying bricks on the right hand side of the house, Wendy and Toby are in the groove laying bricks at the back, Andrew and Karen around the side where the front door will be, and the owners of the house are taking great care at the front of the property where their neighbours will be admiring it as they walk up to the house.





    - Posted by the GertoGo team

    Arrival in to Ulaanbaatar

    After our long train journey across China and in to Mongolia on the trans Siberian railway we made it to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia








    - Posted by the GertoGo team

    Location:Ulaanbaatar

    Wednesday, July 18, 2012

    Our beautiful guide

    Thanks to our gorgeous tour guide - Marta who was so much fun and a brilliant Translator! The drivers too were fantastic!

    Over the 9 days travelling through central Mongolia we were taken through some fabulous sites, climbed mountains, rode horses, jumped right in to the nadaam festival, drank mares milk, slept in Gers and so much more!








    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Location:Arvaikheer,Mongolia

    Tuesday, July 17, 2012

    The build - day 1

    After a lovely introduction to our family and sharing arig (horse milk) and cheese with them in their ger that was next to the build site, we had a brief safety induction and were then issued with our gloves and hard hats.
    It was a full day of cement mixing and brick laying. We paired up in teams, learnt the tricks of the trade from our Foreman called 'Doggy' and began our day.

    The family joined in too with the father a construction worker and mother very very house proud making sure the front of the house looked perfect! Even the kids joined in, squealing with laughter and helping to carry bricks.

    By the end of the day we had successfully laid 7 rows around each side of the house and started the insulation process.

    A good first day by all!
    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Monday, July 16, 2012

    Not sure what this is

    Still not sure what this is but you can buy it from the supermarket!




    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Location:Arvaikheer,Mongolia

    Sunday, July 15, 2012

    Our build schedule

    Here's the plan for our build schedule for the week




    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Location:Arvaikheer,Mongolia

    Our habitat for humanity family

    We now know who we are building a house for. A lovely family with 2 boys - 1 aged 15 called Javan and the other 10 who is Buyannemheh. He is the child who is involved in the World Vision Child Project.





    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Rock climbing

    Beautiful site of our last ger camp from the top of a rocky mountain we climbed before breakfast.




    - live posts from the Ger to Go Team

    Wednesday, July 11, 2012

    Chinese Cusine

    Food was amazing, delicious, and intriguing in China. We ate different delicacies from different regions of China each day.
    Egg and chips in one!


    Tongue and lip numbing green peppercorns
    Spicy Szechuan
    Deep fried chili chips
    From the street food market; Silkworms, ostrich, venison, sea horse


    centipede and scorpions skewered that were still alive


    Silkworms -yum....NOT!



    Sheep's penis



    Starfish
    Deep fried almost ice cream
    Aubergine heaven,
    Fried chilies, fish and prawns gorgeously presented



    Dragon fruit with blueberry sauce


    Street food sellers


    Wonton pancakes
    Jellied noodles
    Worlds largest lazy susan
    Dry ice soft drinks



    - Posted by the GertoGo team

    Location:Beijing, China