2nd last day in Red Hero

Red Hero is the translation of Ulaan = Red, Bataar = Hero, which must surprise most people, but not those who know Mongolian history 😃. This city is a post revolution creation of the soviets. Of course, there was a town here before, but even that in typical Mongol style moved 28 times.

The architecture and streets could be any siberian city. The Mongols also changed the alphabet they use to Russian, so even the signs look as if we are in Russia.

I also read today that UB is the worlds coldest capital city, even if it's more or less the same latitude as Geneva. In January, the average maximum temp is -16C, and only in July 2 are nighttime temperatures above 10C, and even then, only just.

So Ulaanbataar is not a reason to travel 1000s of kilometres, but it is, of course, the gateway to the wonders of Mongolia.

We have stayed here in an apartment, that is really great, even if outside it's ugly. 3 bedrooms, kitchen and living room. 2 bathrooms with hot showers. Luxury for $64 per day.

The kids spent the morning home schooling, then later in the day we went to the natural history museum, which has many interesting fossils found in the Gobi desert. Really good place, even if at first we were dubious at going in, because the outside was so shabby. Inside quite the opposite.

I loved how the height and weight of dinasaurs were shown in graphics with camels, horses, sheep, and goats ( see photos).Read more