Big marmots

Last night we stayed in a ger camp nest to a hot spring at Thenther. After we left camp we had a long drive to Therkhun Taagaan lake via Tsertserleg city. In this city the locals came from all around with their goods to sell their wood, wool, eggs mares milk etc.
Hereafter we left the city and crossed a large wooden bridge, which according to the road sign could carry a 5-ton payload. But it looked so crooked that even our drivers in our light Gaz busses where not planning to cross at the same time.

But we made across safely and had an very early lunch near Chuluud canyon, which is an impressive piece of natures work.
The plan was to have lunch at one but since in the morning we had a short stop and our drivers had purchased a big marmot they got very excited and instead we stopped for lunch just after eleven. Apparently Mongolian men are just crazy for this meat and can’t resist it.
I got offered to taste it and I must say it tastes very nice; it’s a cross between rabbit and hare. The way it is prepared is noticeable when you eat it. The neck of the animal is cut and they place a lot of very hot stones inside and thus cooking the meat from inside. The way you notice this is that they don’t clean the stones so after your meal you keep eating sand.