Day 18- 17 July The Lake to Moron (20Km of Downhill! = Happy Eliza!) 

Rode 44km, ODO reads 229km

Today was a great days riding. We left camp early and headed for a ger to find some much needed water. I was feeling rather sore as my legs are still getting used to riding everyday (not something i do much at home) We rode about 8km and reached a ger. We were warmly greeted and allowed to grab some water from the hosts barrel. We were then offered some Arig, which is fermented horse milk and a very popular drink in Mongolia. As we expected it tasted pretty bad, really sour and just a bit yuk. we politely declined the overflowing cups of Arig that the host had provided for us and hit the road. 

We rode up some lazy hills for awhile then were pleasantly greeted with a tailwind and a kick arse 20km of down hill. This was defiantly worth the ride and as the wind blew through our hair, I had a realisation of why I was riding around Mongolia with a 40kilo bike. 

We reached Moron early afternoon, just in time for some much needed food and rest. I tried Mongolian spaghetti bowl and was pleasantly surprised by its tastiness despite the odd somewhat creamy texture that it came with. 

After lunch we headed to Bata’s Guesthouse for a few days rest and gathering of supplies. 

Day 19 - 18 July Rest day (Attempt at riding Motorbikes) 

Today we attempted to hire and ride a motorbike to some deer stones. I say attempted as we did not make it 

We spent the morning exploring Moron a little, we went past the Police station (Insert picture) 

headed to the museum (insert pictures) lots of interesting things! We saw some dodgy taxidermy (insert pictures) and tried to decipher what the animals were meant to be. 

My favourite part of the Museum was the old Sharman clothes from the early 1900’s. Sharmanism is very popular in Northern Mongolia as the Tssatann people live North East of Lake Khosvgol and practise shamanism. It was interesting to see the intricate nature of their clothes and they clothes depending on the seasons. 

 Sharman clothes from 1900's

Lynx? 

We found some can piglet in the supermarket :( 

After the Museum we headed back to Bata’s to try and get the Motorbike working. I had spent the night before riding the bike with Bata’s brother and thought i had it down pat. Unfortunately, after riding about 100metres we were surprised to find out it had no petrol?! We then sorted out the petrol after a few difficult conversations with Bata’s brother who speaks little english, then off we rode again, this time we rode another 100metres and the bike just stopped. we tried to get it going again, but gave up through sheer frustration. 

We decided just to take the day as it came and rest up. Courtney ended up feeling a little under the whether after consuming a dodgy Buzz and bizarre drink from a small canteen, and spent most of the afternoon in bed. I relaxed and read my book. We sorted out our supplies for the next few days of riding, had a chat with Bata about the road and had a quiet night ready for setting off in the morning.