Soon we were bouncing along getting closer and closer to the Gobi Desert. Along the way we stopped at an ovoo - a pile of rocks that grows as people stop to add their own rocks as they circle 3 times, while making a wish.
At this ovoo Bimba spotted some edible flowers, which are good for the joints so we munched a few of these. We also spotted some farmers shearing their sheep - nothing new for us kiwis, but the rest of the group were keen for a look. 
We then headed to a town, where our van completely packed in! This meant that Bimba spent the next 4 hours fixing it on a dusty road while we enjoyed a local meat stew (Liv excluded), stocked up on beer and chocolate, and watched our miracle mechanic / driver bring our Russian 4-wheel drive back to life. 
Back on the road we made a mission 4wd trip through the mountains and after some time the flat, open desert popped out in front out of our eyes, with the great Bogd Mountain range in the background.
With the sky darkening we arrived in Barun Bayan Ulaan where Chana raced around trying to find a family to take us in for the night in their ger - she finally struck gold and got us in with a family who owned the local bathhouse. Finally after 5 stinky days we were able to have a shower (which was to be the last for the trip)!!!
While out taking photos of the beautiful sunset Adam got chased by a local dog (dogs in Mongolia are the size of lions)! The evening was spent knocking back a few beers in the ger and watching Bimba continue his mechanical mission so we could continue our journey the next morning. We headed off to bed, with Bimba lazing back on a large piece of our engine, while the family drew maps in the sand so we could navigate our way through the desert tomorrow - how late he had to stay up to fix the van we don't know.
An adlibing standstill.
Back on the road we made a mission 4wd trip through the mountains and after some time the flat, open desert popped out in front out of our eyes, with the great Bogd Mountain range in the background.With the sky darkening we arrived in Barun Bayan Ulaan where Chana raced around trying to find a family to take us in for the night in their ger - she finally struck gold and got us in with a family who owned the local bathhouse. Finally after 5 stinky days we were able to have a shower (which was to be the last for the trip)!!!
While out taking photos of the beautiful sunset Adam got chased by a local dog (dogs in Mongolia are the size of lions)! The evening was spent knocking back a few beers in the ger and watching Bimba continue his mechanical mission so we could continue our journey the next morning. We headed off to bed, with Bimba lazing back on a large piece of our engine, while the family drew maps in the sand so we could navigate our way through the desert tomorrow - how late he had to stay up to fix the van we don't know.An adlibing standstill.
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