Two Hump Camel at Three Camel Lodge

I was up early this morning with my headlamp on as I walked across camp to the bathrooms. Bad things were coming out of both ends so I started antibiotics. I decided it was probably a good idea to skip breakfast and just push through the day. Before leaving the Southern Gobi we would be visiting a camel herder.

I felt a little relief when my driver told me that he too was sick. So I don't think it was that I was not used to this kind of food but rather that the food was really contaminated with something.





The camel herder actually had a very nice place.





I love visiting with families and love to learn about their daily lives. However, if ever there was a day I maybe should have passed on this it was today. Like all other families I visited they would offer me some milk tea, this time fresh from their camels. I did not want to offend them so I slowly worked this down wondering how it would fair sitting on top of whatever parasite was already in me.

They tie up their kids much the same way they tie up their camels.

We would be riding their camels to the dunes in the distance.

I've ridden a one hump camel before and you sit on top of the hump. This was my first experience on a two hump camel and it was not only a bit more comfortable but also felt a little safer.

There are flies all around these animals and once you get on the camel there are flies all around you, it's very annoying and distracting.

Oh good I get to try my hand at a river crossing.

About a half hour later we arrived at the dunes and I was looking forward to saying goodbye to the flies.



I also said goodbye to the camel and suggested a bug repellent with a high DEET content.

We then began our long journey back north and ran in to a vulture dining on a sheep caucus.

Having stayed in pretty bare bones Gers the last few days I was looking for a little bit of an upgrade. The next few nights I would be staying in a Ger with a private bathroom, which could not have come at a better time after recent dining events. It was kind of like a double Ger.

Three Camel Lodge is very nice. Great bed and bedding.



The door way on the left goes to my private bathroom.

Robes with the belt too high, or maybe I'm just doing something wrong.

Another of my favorites, an open air shower.

Along with a flushable toilet, which I would get to know quite well.

After I got settled in I went up to the main lodge to check things out.

Great place to relax take in the views.

They also had an amazing lounge area complete with a full bar which I was looking forward to exploring.









Dinosaur fossils, which we would go in search of tomorrow.

And a lot of charm.



They also had a green house and I was feeling much better about my dinner tonight.



We were then treated to some pre-dinner entertainment with traditional Mongolian songs.



This lady kept throwing cups in the air and catching them on her head.

One of the reasons I wanted to come to Mongolia was to see some traditional "throat" singing. This is where a singer produces one note and then simultaneously uses their diaphragm to vibrate the uvula to produce a second note. Allowing them to harmonize with themselves. It's actually pretty amazing to hear and this guy was really good. I also now began to understand the two sounds of the "singing" dunes of Hongor.



Last up was this lady who was really bendy.





Dinner was amazing and safe. I hung out in the lounge with a few other guests before going to bed. I met this nice couple who used to live in Seattle, but even more amazing is that they now live in Madison, Wisconsin, so we had lots to talk about.