CHINGGIS KHAAN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBS - CHINGGIS FESTIVAL 2014 AT TSONJIN BOLDOG, MONGOLIA

Mongolia was in party mode yesterday as it celebrated 

Chinggis Khaan's birthday. 

The date changes each year depending on the lunar calendar. This year, his big day fell on the 24th. His birthday also marks the first day of winter. Boots on!

People headed to Chinggis Square (formerly known as Sukhbaatar Square) for the flag-raising ceremony, to honor the Man of the Millennium. After that, convoys of cars rushed to Tsonjin boldog, where his enormous statue is, for the Chinggis Festival, under the auspices of Genco Tours. 

The festival was graced by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ts. Oyungerel. 

Left: Enkhbayar Sanjaasuren, CEO, Tugs Nud (Exquisite Eye) Entertainment, capturing everything
on video and photographs.
Right: Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ts. Oyungerel wearing a beautiful light green-blue-red scarf              admiring the artwork. 

Left: Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ts. Oyungerel autographing my friend's book on Chinggis's life
Right: O. Erdenetsogt smiling as the Minister signs his book 

The festivities opened with a concert from one of my favorite bands, the Khusugtan Ethnic Band. 

Scientists showed a PowerPoint on their search for Chinggis Khaan's tomb, something that has been going on for years. It was one very interesting presentation, with maps, photographs and artefacts. In my opinion, Chinggis Khaan's tomb should be left alone. I don't wish it to be found. Imagine the desecration.

Chinggis Khaan's presence completed the celebrations on the occasion of his 852nd birthday anniversary. His wife Borte was there too.

At lunch time, I joined my friends for a meal and guess who was seated in front of me? 

Chinggis Khaan!

He was taking selfies with his iPhone. Oh well...it's the 21st Century. 

Chinggis Khaan is allowed some form of fun. 

HAPPY 852nd BIRTHDAY 

TO THE GREAT CHINGGIS KHAAN!!!!!

Photography by: Greca Durant

http://www.oyungerel.org/myprofile.html

https://www.facebook.com/enkhbayar.sanjaasuren?fref=ts

Paragliding Mongolia

Paragliding Mongolia

"Good evening, Greca, do you still want to fly with us?" 

came the message at 19:15, 20 Nov

"Hello Bold, I just want to watch and take photos..." 

I replied at 19:48, 20 Nov

"We will fly this weekend...Saturday and Sunday, 

we will be there around 10am."

After rounding up my adventure partners Boss Bayraa - Enkhbayar Sanjaasuren, CEO of Tugs Nud (Exquisite Eye) Entertainment and Erdenetsogt O., production assistant, we navigated our way through Saturday traffic and in less than an hour, we found ourselves in Yarmag.

Artsat Road presented a challenge. Erdenetsogt's car twisted, hovered, bumped, rolled and kicked on the track road leading to the mountain, just like a hip-hop dancer. In the distance, colorful fabrics swayed, fluttered, folded, crumpled, or grazed the cheeks of the mountain.

We emptied the car and headed to where some men were huddled. The fresh, clean, nippy air immediately energized our bodies.

"Hi, are you Bold?"
"Yes, nice to meet you, Greca. Welcome. Are you going to fly with us? You can do tandem."
"Hmm...first, I'll watch."

Students go through 30 hours of classroom work and 60 hours of on-site training 

For a basic paragliding course, students pay MNT350,000.00 (+-USD186.00) - for a two-month course

Bold offers a basic paragliding course at his school in Namyanju, at the Bayankhairkhan Trade Bldg - a stone's throw away from my apartment! Is this a sign or what?

Students attend 30 hours of classroom work. They are then transported to Yarmag, to a field behind a hospital. There, students can hone their new skills as paragliding pilots.

Left: Bold P., CEO, Oyu World Tours & Arts LLC

Third and Second from Right: Enkhbayar Sanjaasuren, CEO, Tugs Nud (Exquisite Eye)

Entertainment and Erdenetsogt O., Production Assistant. 

While we were there, a carload of paragliding enthusiasts arrived.
They excitedly jumped out of their car. 

"They're here for tandem flying," Bold said. A tandem fly will cost you MNT50,000.00 

(+-USD26.54). This amount includes transport from UB city center to Yarmag. 

So, if you are brave at heart, here's your chance to fly like a golden eagle. 

Pick up the telephone, whip up your Android or iPhone, electronic mail him or go find him. 

"People find us."

Contact: Bold P, +976-8801-2123

www.tourismmongolia.co.uk

ceo@tourismmongolia.co.uk

Oyu World Tours & Arts LLC

Bayankhairkhan Trade Bldg

Namyanju Avenue

Bayanzurkh District

14th microdistrict

Ulaanbaatar 2040, Mongolia

And, did I tell you that you can also go Tuul river rafting with him? Woohoo! 

From May to September, before the river sleeps in winter. 

And, did I tell you that you can also go dog sledding with him? It's a blast! Winter fun!

HAVE GOOD FUN! 

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Photography by: Greca Durant

For professional/commercial business video/photography:
Enkhbayar Sanjaasuren, CEO, Tugs Nud (Exquisite Eye) Entertainment
+976-99055490
https://www.facebook.com/enkhbayar.sanjaasuren?fref=tl_fr_box

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