The last day of our caravan was spent alomst entirely in the van. By the time we reached our camp for the evening, the sun was already low in the sky and we felt like caged animals. A hike was absolutely vital!

Up into the hills we went. The hike was nearly silent, save for our huffing and puffing, as we focused on stretching our legs.

Donning our Gobi’s warmest, by the time we crested the hill we were dripping sweat and our legs ached.

But the view quickly took hold of our attention.

It was a sea of golden brown laced through by a glistening river and there wasn’t another sole or Ger in sight.

We’d gotten used to the isolation of the Gobi, but rarely had we seen the desolate landscape from above.

Back down at camp, we played with the resident dogs and goat before dinner.

And dinner that night was a feast! Our hosts prepared a traditional Mongolian Horhag BBQ for us. We were excited, but couldn’t help but wonder, “What the hell is Horhag!?!”

Turns out, its mutton (more mutton? really?). But, its prepared on the hearth by layering meat on the bone, red-hot stones and vegetables (yay veggies!)

 I’ll admit I was a bit crestfallen (aside from the veggies). We’d had mutton for lunch and dinner for the past week straight and simply looking at the slabs of meat made my stomach turn (mind you, I put vegetarianism on hold for this trip).

But a girl’s gotta eat, so I had a few bites. And immediately felt ill. I had reached my meat threshold.

Our driver Jackie showed the boys how Men properly eat the meat clean from the bone.  For a little man, he packed away an impressive amount of mutton!

Although the guys did their best, they were put shame by the petite Mongolian.

By the time we rolled into bed, everyone was stuffed silly, tired and so ready to get back to Ulaan Baator the next afternoon for a shower!

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