Proudly Made In Mongolia
The deel is an item of Mongolian traditional clothing and remains an integral part of Mongolian culture. You can find plain and practical ‘working’ deels and then more ornate versions worn at ceremonial occasions such as Mongolian Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year). The deels worn by Mongolian herders are an all-purpose garment. They are usually a […]
Slow Lane Tourism
Let Me Introduce You to Dakhar Dakhar calls the Tsambagarav Uul National Park his home. High above the provincial borders of Khovd and Bayan-Olgii Aimag in western Mongolia, this snow-capped peak stands tall at 4208m, surrounded by vast open valleys. It’s part of the magnificent Mongol Altai Mountain Range, and it’s where Dakhar has lived […]
Beyond Black Friday
This Friday is Black Friday – synonymous with consumerism and excess but there is an alternative option – to help make a statement against what Black Friday has come to represent. Personally, I’ll be sticking my finger up at the event and here are a few ideas on how to mark the day by doing something […]
Our Focus During Low Season In Mongolia
As a company, we call ourselves ‘manaikhan’ which translates from Mongolian loosely into ‘ours’ or ‘our people.’ Essentially, we’re a family – with all the same stresses, strains and disagreements that all families experience. But, then, also, the support, the unity and the strength that a family can bring as well. For those that know […]
Getting started: The Philosophy of Travel
“To begin, begin.” A deceptively simple sentence, yet its truth resonates deeply in the journey of life—and travel. William Wordsworth, the poet behind this quote, wasn’t calling for a complicated analysis. He was offering a reminder: to start anything, we must take that first step. It’s as straightforward as it sounds. But why do so […]
Real Life Is Everywhere
Look at the image above. Not the most prepossessing image is it? But, what do you think it represents? Any ideas? For me, it reminds us as travellers that real life is everywhere when we travel. It is actually the business plan of a young fashion designer who lives in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar […]
There’s no ‘I’ in team
I recently received negative feedback about certain members of my beloved team. But I didn’t pass the buck. Instead, I apologised and said that I take full responsibility for the mistakes made by my team members. When EL was first created, it was just Turuu and I as driver and guide. It was easier then […]
Making A Positive Difference Through Tourism In Mongolia
Any ideas? Any ideas what the image represents? This is how our group spent a day recently in Ulaanbaatar – the capital city of Mongolia – at a felting project run by the Buddhist NGO Asral. The group learnt how to clean the wool, process the wool, colour the wool & then how to create […]
Writing Emails Like a Woman
I am guilty of writing emails like a woman. Yes, I am a woman but it seems I am unconsciously using certain speech habits to soften my email communication. It was my Mum who pointed this out to me – looking over my shoulder one day as I was writing an email and reading the words […]
The Power Of Books
I recently read a BBC Capital article on why ‘microbreaks’ when working can have a powerful effect on your body and your mind – basically tiny breaks that help to ease your body and reboot your brain. What was interesting is that I read this article during such a break when I spent a few […]