Went to Mongolia to attend World Blind Union AP Mid-Term General Assembly. In between, went out to have some picture taking session. On the last day, went for a one day tour.
Reached UlaanBaatar Chinggis Khaan International on 9/9/2018.
While waiting for other members of the WBU, Took a few pictures of the plants in the carpark. First one is Heteropappus altaicus. It has another surprising view which I will show later.
Next is Lupine Clover. I cannot confirm its Scientific name.
Next one is not focus properly as I am only using my hand phone to take picture. My camera is still in the luggage. I can't figure out what plant is it.
One other plant is Russian Knapweed. It is also not focus properly but at least it still captures the plant flower in the background.
Took a wide angle photo of the grass patch. The flowers are wild.
Walked further down and took a photo of Scots pine. Still focused wrongly.
Settled down in Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar. Next morning, went out to have a quick shot of the garden in front of the hotel. It is a long and narrow garden in the middle of the road.
Took a picture of a unknown tree. Unable to identify.
There are no variety of plants in the garden till the end where there is a small patch of flowered plants. Common plants are Petunia.
Managed to get a focused shot of the Scots Pine this time.
Went further down to the junction and saw a mini flower garden. Plenty of Petunias.
One more flower I can't recognize.
At least I recognize this as Silver Ragwort.
Another flower I can't recognize as these are naturalized plants from other countries.
A photo of the tree that I can't recognize too. Its trunk is painted to prevent frost I think.
Walked across to the further side of the road and saw this Yellow Sweet clover.
Can't recognize this one too.
Unfortunately, I cannot find a lot of plant photos on Mongolia. Many plants are just new to me. This one is a Alfalfa.
This one is Russian Knapweed. The close up is blurred due to wrong focus (auto focus as my eyes are as blur) so it is discarded.
This grass is also not recognized. Focus is out due to wind.
Another unrecognized grass.
Finally one plant that I can recognize. It is a Purple Shamrock. I guess it is not native.
A partially blooming flower. Seems to see it before but can't find in my library.
One more pine tree.
White Campion is one flower that I have searched for its name long ago as the flower pattern is unique.
This single Viola seems to be out of nowhere.
Running out of time so have to head back to hotel for the conference. Took a couple of picture in the conference for fun.
Before the hosted dinner, took a couple of photo on the mongolian tent from the hotel window. Like all cities, traffic jam can be seen below.
A few photos of the dinner entertainment performers. They are performing local music and songs.
Next morning, sneaked out again to venture around. Most of the plants are not recognized except specifically stated. The first one which is a Redroot Pigweed.
Mohilev Mallow is a climber.
This one is a Shrubby Cinquefoil. Notice I wear gloves. The weather is quite cold.
This one is probably a type of Maple.
This one is a Tufted Vetch
That evening went out with the group to Sukhbaatar Square before ending in Modern Nomads restaurant for a second taste of Mongolian food.
The next day is the one day tour. On the way, stopped by to snap some photo of the outskirt of Ulaanbaatar.
Managed to take picture of the Mongolian horse while the vehicle stopped due to traffic.
First stop is the Chinggis Khaan Statue. It is a huge statue with a hall below and a mini museum underground.
Of course I cannot miss those plants there. First one is unknown, the next one is a common dandelion. Last one is the same Heteropappus altaicus at the airport.
Next stop is Gorkhi Telelj National Park. First stop is lunch. Saw a Russian van, a sort of SUV.
After lunch, went to the nearby Mongolian tent hotel to see the inside of it.
Of course cannot miss the flora in the area. Three unidentified plants were there. There is a large fly on one of it.
The next plant is a Edelweiss.
Another one is very hard to identify. Most likely is a Caraway.
Next stop Turtle Rock. We stop a a photo taking spot where there is a souvenir shop with two fox skins outside.
Cannot miss this Greater Plantain plant growing by the road side.
We go further in the park for a horse ride. On the way snap a photo of the rare trees in the mountains.
Can't tell what tree is it. Probably pine trees.
We got a shock when the vehicle we are on goes down a stream and is about to cross a river before the driver decided that it is too deep to cross.
You can see the depth when a horse rider crosses the river.
The tour guide cum driver finally called a SUV to come over to fetch us.
In the ranch, there are two dogs, a Bankhar dog and a Husky. The Husky is extra friendly. It keep trying to play with visitors.
Finally, we get to ride a horse (on tow).
Feel very insecure on the horse thus did not take any picture during the ride. The tour ends after the ride. The driver bring us back to Ulaanbaatar shopping mall for a last minute shopping. Managed to snap photos of plants around the place.
Had a good night sleep before flying back to Hong Kong at 4:30 am.
Wikiloc map is here
https://www.wikiloc.com/car-trails/mongolia-tour-28638102
Album is not only Mongolia, it include Hong Kong trips also so skip it.
