DAY 25 - Last day in Mongolia (6 July)

After another bumpy drive back from the countryside (I think that somebody had a word with the driver. He was a lot less... erratic!), we took a walk down to the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan. Visually, it was a disappointment, since it was not well maintained, and the main palace museum area was not easily accessible and many of us missed it!

However, there was more information about some of the buddhist iconography, and confirmation of my suspicions of the exact copying of Hindu Icons. I have attached pictures of some, particularly for the interest of my dad - icons on display included Ganesha and Saravasti. I also learned about the fierce figures that were confusing to me in this peaceful religion - they were the ten protectors of Buddhism.

Ulaanbataar is a place of contrasts. Below is a picture of the Llama temple with a sky scraper in the background contrasting old with new - the materialistic with the spiritual. There are plush high-rise buildings within metres of dusty roads where families share one well between one street. However, Ulaanbataar feels culturally unspoiled - there are very few tourists and there is not a Macdonalds or a Starbucks in sight!

Later that evening, we had a final meal to say good bye to Jonathan and Ulaanbataar. Jonathan is staying an extra week in Mongolia, since he has friends there. He is heading back to Singapore (via China), so hopefully Cathy and I will be able to meet up with him and be shown the sights when he is home.