Mongolia. Land of Blue Sky.
A lovely and romantic name and I am looking forward to doing as much exploring as possible. It is time for the annual INSARAG exercise. Last year, I was in China and I agreed to attend the 2008 INSARAG; while not knowing where it would be held. No matter.
Long flight from London though and with Aeroflot no less. London to Moscow: 4 hours. A two hour wait in Moscow and met up with my colleague Sylvie. Then another 3 hour flight to Ulaanbataar but we made an (unscheduled) stop at Novosibirsk for fuel; waited an hour and then another 2.5 hours to Ulaanbaatar.
Arrived in Chinggis Khan airport at 09:30 local time but it was 03:30 UK time...and my body talk reflected this!
We were met by the NEMA representatives and the same flight also had Thomas Winnberg and Markus Sandvik amongst the other SRSA contingent. Thomas, I think we all know from Triplex Finland, INSARAG China 2006, and other exercises.
We are both in a different hotel than the one previously advertised. We are staying (in some luxury it would appear) in the 'Corporate Hotel', Chinggis Avenue 9-2, Sukhbaatar District -1, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Tel: 976-11-334411.
Email: mail@corporatehotel.mn / http://www.corporatehotel.mn/
I think the last minute change was due to over booking in the Bayangol Hotel. More INSARAG personnel will be streaming into UB and also staying at the Corporate Hotel.
We have internet access and therefore email (obviously).
Mr Chingzoric (lands and survey) had contacted me when I was in UK and I hope to see him during this time; also Sylvie was sitting with representatives of an NGO on the flight here and they are VERY interested in what MapAction can do. They want soil and vegetation maps so we hope we can try and help them out as well.
All good here. People are great. The schedule appears to be packed and the EXCON personnel appear to be here already: two days before things kick off. Expect days to be fun but long.
Ach. Hotel has NO hot water until the 5th August!!!! Cold Showers then.
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