Khongor: Exponential Growth

Photos to be added later

Last time we were here and had a great time staying with Ulzibat, we were his only guests, and when we climbed the nearby monster sand dunes, we met one other tourist all day.
This time, Ulzibat has expanded from 4 to 10 Yurts and added facilities like showers and proper toilet. I'm not sure if its down to him or his son and daughter in law who told us they did the building. And at the dunes, this time there wasn’t one other. There were several hundred other tourists. Not just on foot, but with sledges to slide down the dunes. Needless to say, much of the charm has gone, but the kids still loved it.
Ulzibat himself and his wife were a no-show on the 1st day, and we later learned from him that his wife was in the local clinic with severe stomach problems. He seems a bit stressed by that, but still very happy to welcome us and look at our old photos. We also learn that traditionally the youngest son and their wife live with the parents and work with them, later taking over the work and looking after the parents, and that’s exactly what Ulzi’s son and daughter and law are doing. Their rapid expansion may work for them, but its not without risks as everyone else in the area seems to have the same idea. Some have a much more professional and high-end approach. For example, the yurts have twin glass doors, and they have a large block with showers, bathrooms, and restaurants. Since we are Facebook friends, I guess we can follow how the Ulzibat’s do.Read more