Back to normal....

Hallo!

I am back to Europe, back to "normal", back to daily business.
It always hits me shockingly, that my "normal life" is really a kind of strange parallel world to my "travel life" ..or vice versa ?!
There are totally different priorities, different routines, tasks, problems, challenges, different people...everything is different and I need to adapt and rethink, change my approach and thoughts.

Some of you, I have already met since I am back. And I am looking forward to meeting the rest of you soon!

Take care and enjoy life!!!

Be conscious of how good our life actually is and how much we have, get and are able to enjoy freely and fully.
Don't forget how well we are off and how precious our freedom, health and our home is!
Even having a good job is a privilege you should not underestimate. ;)

Be content and super happy!!! :)

Kisses and hugs!
Renate

My days in Taiwan...

Hallo!

I have spent the last 10 days in Taipei and at parts of the northern coast of Taiwan.

Taipei is very nice. It is chinese... but then again, it is not. I personally think Taiwan is very different from mainland China. The people are different, their habits, their smile and hospitality, their organisation of life and daily business... Taipei and Taiwan appear very friendly, very international and open-minded. Most of the people speak a little bit of english, some of them really good, so communication was easy. Although outside the city, I, sometimes, employed what remained of my Mandarin. I still remembered asking for the way, buying bus and train tickets etc.. so it was fun and...yes, maybe it would not have been strictly necessary, but I just wanted to try :)

I did not have a lot of time here, thus just only got a glimpse of Taiwan, but I enjoyed the time.
Here some pictures.

In a few days I will meet Rainer in Beijing for the last 14 days of the trip...no blogs in China... so...

See you again soon!
Kisses, Renate

The Mountains and Kazakhs in the Far West of Mongolia

Hallo!

The last week I spent travelling in the western region of Mongolia, partly within reach of the Chinese border. The area is mountainous, rough, cold and wild. Autumn is already present there, winter approaching. The nomads prepare to leave the summer gers for their winter quarters. Accordingly, it is pretty cold even if the sun is shining. Nights were freezing and I wore and covered me with everything I had in the tent to stay warm.

The people were very friendly and welcoming and the landscape was simply amazing... Even in bad weather. Light, colour, clouds and sky always looked like a painting...incredibly beautiful. Fotos can never do it justice, I am afraid, but I tried my best. :)
It was really wonderful!

Next station for me will be Taiwan.

Sending you my best regards, kisses and hugs!
Renate

From Mörön to Ulaanbataar

Hallo,

I made my way back from the very north of Mongolia to Ulaanbataar again. I passed several cities and towns on my way and even managed a few side trips. It was partially hard work to arrange everything, find the right place to get a ride, discuss price and destination with hand and feet, wait for hours for the transport to arrive/ leave or stop in the middle of nowhere for one or the other reason.

How much you have to trust and depend on people if you have no idea what they are telling you.... Most of the time I just nodded or shook my head and smiled and said 'I don't understand'.

The towns and cities for me were really fascinating in its appearance and daily life. People looked at me strangely, taking pictures of their daily things, which for me were interesingly enough...

I am glad, I managed to arrive back in Ulaanbaatar safe and sound, where I now spend a few days before I fly to the very far West of Mongolia for my last week here in the country.

Here are the pictures of my "roadtrip". I hope you enjoy.

Take care! I am thinking of you!
Kisses, Renate

Going North ... (Mongolia)

Hallo!

I have spent the last week at the Khövsgöl Nuur National Park. It is at the northern border to Russia. It's a huge area with a very large, clear, blue lake. Hiking is wonderful and I was lucky with the weather.

What you get: beautiful views, amazing nature, solitude and silence, soothing sounds and smells, time to contemplate, enjoy and relax, ...

What you have to forget about is: hotel rooms, comfort, warm showers, electricity, food choices, dry and waterproof gers, coffee, laundry, telephone, modern communication in general, flushing toilets, public transport. ..

Here are some pictures.

I am now heading back to Ulaanbaatar and will ptovide you also with some pictures of the towns and cities on my way.
I am sending you all the best!

KISSES, Renate