The first day in Tsagaan Nuur

Even we are dog-tired from the strenuous trip, there is to do terrifically a lot. We do not have the possibility to relax for a few days. If one likes to survive a Mongolian winter in a ger it works only with activism.

“When would you like to travel with our horses to Mörön?”, I ask Tulgaa our young horse man. “Because the temperatures soon sink further, already tomorrow”, he answers friendly. “Tomorrow already, are the horses strong enough for it?”, I am surprised. “Yes, they must carry no more loads”, believes Tulgaa. “Will it be difficult to drive the horses being on your own?”, Tanja would like to know. “Ha, ha, ha”, he laughs decently. “For Tulgaa this is not difficult.” “How long do you need for the distance? What do you think?”, it interests me. “Three, maximum four days”, we hear amazed. “What? Three or four days?”, ask I confused. “Yes”, he confirms. “For a horse man 100 kilometers are easy to make on one day”, certifies Bilgee. I am not sure whether Tulgaa takes his mouth a little to full.

In the afternoon Bilgee and Tulgaa give the horses oats to eat. Saraa has sent upon our wish 20 kilogram of this strength food. It should strengthen our horses and should give them energy for the return journey. Again in our ger we cook a few kg of the oats. The horses should get this mush tomorrow before their departure. Tulgaa takes remaining 15 kg as an emergency food in saddlebags.

Then we have to go to the border troops to register ourselves. A soldier asks us to wait at the fence. After a little while he returns and gives us our permit back. Every foreigner who approaches closer than 100 km to the Russian border needs a permit.

During the coming days we also have to go to the local police station to register ourselves. Also we have to visit the mayor of the place to announce our self as new citizens with the address east taiga.