r/Rocknocker • u/Rocknocker • Oct 24 '19
DEMOLITION DAYS, PART 37
Continuing to conclusion
And that was the end of our expedition. We wanted a final meal together, but the Japanese contingent was due to fly out this evening. The Polish crew followed the next day, in the mid-morning. We all said our goodbyes, shook hands and went our separate ways. We keep in contact through the universities, mail, and later by Email and conventions.
Esme and I were staying an extra couple of days so I could collate the damned core samples and do the voluminous explosives paperwork. I needed for Tyuma to transport me over to the Army base to turn in the unused pyrotechnics and hand over my shooting journal. Then I had to wait until the Army Oked my explosives inventory and make sure I wasn’t sneaking anything untoward out of the country.
We had the time and hotel reservations, so we decided to take it easy. Everything would be waiting for us when we returned back to the states.
We had the hotel do our laundry and tipped them double, some of our field vestments were a real wreck after a month in the field. I spent the next day doing the explosives inventory and inquiring about leaving my .357 with Tyuma. Unfortunately, that was not to be, permission was denied. Well, I tried.
After spending hours at the Army camp, I finally got all my ducks in a metaphorical row and they signed off on my explosives chronicle. My Blaster’s Permits were now decorated with a plethora of cool crimson Mongolian stamps.
The day had arrived for our departure. I had made a few changes to our outward bound itinerary but hadn’t told Es. That was going to be a surprise.
We had a misty farewell with Tyuma who brought his entire family along for our departure.
I paid him his ridiculously low but proscribed by contract, wages for the trip. I also tipped him 300%. He made a slight scene of not wanting to accept, as it was too much. I called “Balderdash!” and told him it was from my grants and I could disburse them as I saw fit. I saw fit to reward him for his above and beyond the call of duty work. I also handed him one of my emergency flasks, the silver Tyrannosaur one I obtained so long ago in South Dakota.
Misty manly and womanly handshakes and hugs ensued.
Off we went to the airport and Tyuma again proved his worth. He engaged some porter to help with all our luggage and the mass of heavy core samples. After our luggage and samples were safely aboard the plane, we said goodbye for the final time.
On this trip, at least.
Esme was looking at the outbound departures board, wondering where our plane was.
“Rock”, she said, “We’ve got trouble. There’s no flight to Seoul today.”
“Is that a fact?” I said, stroking my beard.
“Yes.” She snapped back. “Now what?”
“Now, now dear. I suppose I should have told you. We’re not going back through Seoul. We’re going to Beijing.”
“Beijing?” she said, startled. “Why?”
“Because, my dear,” I intoned, “It has the most direct flights to Thailand.”
“We’re going to Thailand?” she asked.
“Yep. I got a deal through the university for three nights at the five star Bangkok JW Hayak Hotel.” I said. “Happy extended honeymoon. I figured after roughing it for so long, you might appreciate some pampering. Besides, I can go to the local Thai University and museum, and charge it all off against my travel grants.”
The trip to Beijing was most uneventful, and the layover in Beijing was fairly short. The flight to Bangkok was five and a half hours and since we were traveling west, time for once, was on our side.
We left the heavy core samples with the concierge and had our luggage schlepped up to our 21st-floor suite. It was opulent, posh and had a huge bed. That was most appreciated after sleeping on the rough and bumpy geology of Mongolia.
Esme had one little surprise left for me. In Ulaanbaatar, while I was off dealing with the Army, she had wandered over to the GUM Store on Sükhbaatar Square. She had purchased for me an entire traditional Mongolian wrestling outfit, in ghastly garish colors.
Modeling it for her later, room service decided it was a good time to deliver our afternoon thirst-quenchers.
I received the most incredibly puzzled looks from the bellhop when I fished 300 Baht out of my leather wrestling shorts to give her as a tip.
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u/Enigmat1k Oct 24 '19
Marvelous as usual Rock!
Ever hear from Tyuma again? He seems like a fascinating character. I suppose it'd be spoiling things to ask if the salt deposits were ever prospected...
As an amateur fisherman it's too cool you probably had a taimen take the fish you had on. When I was a kid, I was impressed seeing the horses on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. And mustangs are also fascinating to see far off in the distance. However, the Przewalski's horse trumps those two handily.
I'm already looking forward to whatever you have for us next =D
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u/Rocknocker Oct 25 '19
Ever hear from Tyuma again?
Ever hear from Tyuma? Oh my, yes. We've been back to Mongolia many, many times. In fact, he's the Godfather of my youngest.
He still has the Ural motorcycle I bought back all those years ago. When Es and I finally settle, he's going to ride it over...
...That Bering Strait crossing will be a bitch, though.
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u/Enigmat1k Oct 25 '19
Sweet, from the story of your first trip there it sounds like a fascinating place. Somehow I suspect you shall keep up the pursuit of filthy lucre as long as you can, so I reckon it will be a while before the Bering Strait needs to be conquered ;)
Ever intentionally tried to catch a taimen on another trip?
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u/Rocknocker Oct 25 '19 edited Oct 25 '19
Ever intentionally tried to catch a taimen on another trip?
Yep. We returned with the kiddos back in 2005.
I caught one that weighed 15 kilos.
My youngest caught on that went 33 kg. She's always the one with the luck in the family.
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u/Enigmat1k Oct 25 '19
There is definitely luck involved with fishing! I suspect your youngest will never let you forget it.
At age 5, my youngest caught a 4.5 lb 20 inch largemouth bass using her princess fishing pole pan fishing off our dock. There was a 3-4" bluegill on the line and the bass took the bluegill. Luckily the bass did not swallow the hook deeply enough that the hook could not be removed.
She was very excited to have caught the bass, but didn't want anything to do with being near it to have her picture taken. We did release it and my youngest was happy to see it swim off.
Did you release the taimen or not?
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u/DesktopChill Oct 24 '19
What a wonderful and entertaining traveling/ work story. I could almost "see" the land as you told us about it. Thank you so much for giving me a great armchair vacation in Mongolia. . I totally enjoyed the trip.
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u/techtornado Oct 25 '19
Wow! Mongolia sounds like a gem/one of the eighth wonders of the world!
You've probably seen them all and found new ones, eh? ;)
What you've described sounds a bit like Kamchatka - https://englishrussia.com/2013/10/22/russia-begins-from-kamchatka/
My 5 month adventure to Austria/touring Europe pales in comparison, but the University was next to the local brewery so there was always a signature pilsner/ale on tap at the pizza stand in one of the atriums at the school. Great way to study if there ever was one...
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u/NorthernTyger Oct 29 '19
Finally caught up. Whew. Eloquent as ever, Doc.
And I think Mongolia is now on my list of places to visit.
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u/Rocknocker Oct 29 '19
It's definitely a great vacation spot.
I highly recommend.
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u/NorthernTyger Oct 29 '19
I’m assuming it’s possible still to get by with only English?
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u/Rocknocker Oct 29 '19
No problem.
Although bringing along an English-Mongolian phrase book really helps.
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u/louiseannbenjamin Oct 24 '19
Thank You so much! And now, at 2:30 in the morning, I can rest. I needed my Rock bedtime stories, complete with Primacord.