It was first day of March, the temperature was still below zero that morning when I was heading to German class on my motorcycle, I started my day by peeling off the ice from my motorcycle’s seat to ride to class and to avoid feeling the cold, I put my headphones on to call a friend until I reach the school, I was too excited that day as I would be riding later on to Cologne and meet “The Mongolians”! The Mongolians are couple of guys who are partners with my media partner “Mike” and he promised me a motorcycle trip to Mongolia sometime in the summer, I was supposed to meet with them all over lunch to discuss the trip and agree on everything as the whole trip would be covered by the Mongolians.
daily struggle to peel off the ice
During the last 45 minutes of the class, I wasn’t paying attention to whatever the teacher was saying, I was already traveling to Mongolia in my head, waiting for 1 pm to start hitting the road to Cologne and meet with Mike, Katherina and the Mongolians who I didn’t even bothered to ask for their names back then, until I met with them in the restaurant, for a second I thought I would meet Buddhist men wrapped in a red cloth and bald head, not speaking a single word of English and conservative with their expressions, but I was totally wrong as I have met 2 gentlemen in smart casual suits, charming and friendly, talkative with a decent English and a great German and having Beer! They welcomed me and asked whether I would want to have lunch, I politely checked the menu and joined for lunch then we started immediately talking about the tour and presented to me their maps and brochures, apparently, they were more excited for this tour than me, which motivated me more to look forward for it.
Day by day waiting for the 3rd of June to come, it took me a while and lots of patience until I found myself in the airport queuing and waiting to check in, with my and Katherina’s bags, we were equipped with heavy duty camping soft bags, whoever doesn’t know where we would be going, would tell we are going either to Everest or somewhere remote! It was shocking to know the flight looks full as we queued for almost an hour, when my turn came, I could tell that the adventure has just begun! The ground staff officer has informed me that I needed a visa on arrival to enter Mongolia! I said: yes so, I will get it when I reach there! Then she explained that I need to fill up a form with payment on a website and get it ready and approved prior my departure! I wasn’t informed about this act and I thought I lost my flight and the whole trip, I was even about to tell Katharina to leave without me, until the lady called me again to tell me that I can still apply and pay online while I am on the counter. I started filling up the online form and doing it as quick as possible to avoid losing my flight until I reached the payment part when the website froze and didn’t want to go further! I had to take a screenshot of the application itself to show her, which she accepted and checked me in!
We were seated on the last 3 rows which was quieter than front, and the staff were very friendly with delicious food, we were told that we might meet the Swiss couple who are supposed to ride with us on the tour, except that they are on their Truck and I would be on the bike. I would be riding next morning and have a free day in Ulaanbaatar then next day to start the tour on the bikes, my biggest worry was if I would get any jetlag which would affect my concentration on the bike next day. We were welcomed at the Genghis Khan Airport early morning by Ogi, the same guy who we met in Cologne 3 months ago, he welcomed us with a big smile and a Cappuccino! Incredible to find such type of coffee in Mongolia, where I thought I wouldn’t even find soap to shower, but I was totally wrong; the city was civilized, and I could spot lots of luxurious cars in the airport parking too.
the warm cappuccino we got from Ogi as a welcome treat
It took around 45 minutes to reach the center of the city, driving through wonderful mountains, and amazing green open green plains and lots of horses around, I have actually spotted more horses than people on the road. After checking in and having another coffee, we had a 4 hours nap to fix our jetlag then we walked to have lunch and explore the city. We all met with the Swiss couple and walked to an international restaurant to have lunch and then walked to the biggest museum in the city “Genghis Khan Museum” which had around 5-6 floors, each of them features a different era of the Mongol Empire, from start until the end and post Mongol Eras. The Museum has also featured the Mongol music, weapons used, costumes and influences by other cultures and religions.
gate of the museum
The Statue of Genghis Khan in the middle of the City of Ulanbataar
We walked around the big city through its shops, traffic and cafes until we reached the hotel to rest for an hour before going to attend a Mongol musical show which features different music styles from all parts of Mongolia, east to west and north south, where we bumped into lots of people who were with us on the flight. Unfortunately, it was not allowed to take any video or photo of that show, but it was very interesting to watch, although I wouldn’t prefer to attend such shows on tours, but I enjoyed it and its impressive to know that the Swiss couple “Max & Monica” attended it for the second time! Right after the show, we drove to have dinner at a Mongolian restaurant and met with Ogi’s wife and son. In that restaurant, we could make our own soup adding whatever ingredients we can, whatever amount of meat we wish to add, or spices etc, in such restaurant you never stop eating until they remove the food from the table.
We called off the night to sleep the first night in Mongolia, and the first and last night in a hotel in Mongolia, preparing for a big adventure next day, and unfortunately, the jetlag started with me and I couldn’t sleep for more than an hour that night, but the excitement of the adventure I would start next day got all over me! stay tuned for the part 2 where the adventure begins!