As The Year 2011 Unfolds....

Nomadic Swim_butterfly's travel to the world

My latest travel to the Islands of Bermuda, this time with my mother


As the old phrase says "Time flies," my mind takes me back to the places I've been this 2011. To name the countries I visited this year, they are as follows:

Nepal - April 2011

Hong Kong - April 2011

Mongolia - June 2011

Israel - June 2011

France - June 2011

Brasil - November 2011

Bermuda - December 2011

Traveling is my passion and it is something that I envisioned to do when I was in high school. I thank the Lord for the He the fulfillment of my dream and prayers to see His creations in distant countries by the opportunity to travel. This is like living in my dreams. I remember one of my favorite songs back in the 80's entitled "Reality."

Click here to listen to the song "Reality"


Which is the best country? This is a question that people always ask me. My immediate response: "The last country I've been is the best." I take all the countries to be different from each other in terms of geography, people (of course), traditions, and culture (language, food, verbal and non-verbal gestures, clothing, and other ways of life).

I totally eliminate my ethnocentric tendency when I travel, which always makes me enjoy the country I visit. As a result, I feel no regret while in the country and when I'm back home in California. As a matter of fact, I start missing the country few days after I left. Missing her is a good sign of positive experience.

Learning by observations has provided me an understanding of the diversity of the places in this planet, though I have not seen all the countries (yet), which I'm not thinking that it is impossible, instead, I'm doing my best and taking time, as it is made available, to see as many countries I can. Aside from the countries above, other counties I've visited are:

Canada
China
Egypt
Cambodia
Netherlands
Vietnam
The Philippines (my heritage)
South Korea
Peru
Galapagos Islands
Bangladesh (for short time)
Ecuador
Palestine
Israel
Costa Rica
Japan
Panama
Colombia
Laos
USA (I've been to 35 states out of 50) where I currently live.

Each country has her own "twists and styles." It's like people who have different taste of clothing and different ways of doing things but have the same result. The "the same result" is what makes all people similar, I think, apart from other commonalities. There are many differences, indeed! I look at the differences as variability and forms of diversity, which makes life here on Earth "exciting" to live. I cannot imagine all people look exactly the same (hoping all good-looking, hahahaha) and all places on Earth to be all flat lands...Aren't that so dull and boring?

My travels move on...My next destination is in Jamaica this coming Spring Break in April 2012. In the summer 2012, I plan to visit India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Seeing the world is the best investment. It will never be stolen nor rotten but the memories will remain!

In Bermuda, 12.22.11

In Copacobana, Brasil 11.20.11

Inside the Crystal Cave with large stalactites in Bermuda 12.22.11

In Crystal Cave in Bermuda with my mother 12.22.11

In Bermuda 12.22.11

In Ipanema, Brasil 11.22.11

Happy New Year!

B-R-A-Z-I-L in a nut-shell

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My trip to Brazil this Thanksgiving break (November 2011) is almost ending...This is the time I want more but I gotta go. I'm just waiting for my tour guide and I'm exploring tropical forest in t this big city of Rio de Janeiro. No doubt to have rainforest in Rio...just the fact that this is where the Amazon Rainforest strectches from Venezuela down to Ecuador.

In my few days of stay here, I could summarize my impressions as|

B - Brave

R - Relive

A - All life

Z - Zesty

I - Invigorating

Brazil is one of the countries I've been that I have an aspiration of returning!

Viva Brazil!

Obrigado!


Copacobana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nov. 23, 2011

L - Lovely

Moments...

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Life is full of moments...

Moments of silence
Moments of loudness

Moments of success
Moments of failure

Moments of laughter
Moments of tears

Moments to forgive
Moments to be forgiven

Moments of being pathetic
Moments of being apathetic

Moments of being thankful
Moments of being prideful (This moment is dangerous!)

Moments of building up
Moments of tearing down

Moments of giving
Moments of receiving

Moments of being relaxed
Moments of being stressed

Moments of acting mature
Moments of acting like a child ... Bringing up the child-like moments in adulthood is healthy
and good.

Moments to speed up
Moments to slow down

Moments to start
Moments to end

Moments of solitude
Moments of socialization

Moments of having a "circle" brain
Moments of having a "square" brain

Moments to space out
Moments to focus

Moments to be indulged
Moments to be restrained

Moments to listen
Moments to be heard

These prove that human beings are more than physical creations because of the immenseful of "moments" showing the intricacies of the over-all make up of the human "being-ness" of each person.

It's not just a like a flip of a coin to truly know the true entity of a person. It does take a long time. In other words, first impression is not the only gauge to "appraise" someone we just know.

There are still many "moments" of life that I could not think of...but, of course, they happen expectedly or unexpectedly.

I'm in Houston International Airport waiting for the next flight heading to my Rio De Janeiro as my final destination where Imwill spend this Thanksgiving holiday. Thus is a moment of waiting...There has been so many "moments" that I've experienced in the last three weeks. They are overwhelming sometimes and I'm so grateful that they have been all bearable and able to adjust.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate...I believe that human beings ahould be thankful, one way or the other, since we all receive something from someone in our like.

A thankful person has a "happy heart" and has a "clear mind."

Adjustments....

Click here to see me

When did you encounter new systems that you need to make adjustments? You tried to fit all things like the pieces in a puzzle but one kept on popping up?

Ouch! Oh no! Oh my God...! Oh gush! Yikes! Naku! What! Oh no! .... Just some of the initial responses commonly said and heard....others become too vulgar and I will not get into that.

Change happens..and it is inevitable. There are many instances that we encounter changes that hamper what we want to do and not in congruent with what we used to do. On the other hand, there are changes that match what we want to happen and ....hurrah!

There are many changes in anyone's life...from the beginning all the way through... The song "Changes In My Life" is one my most favorite songs during high school days...and one of the piano pieces mastered to play.

"...These are all the many changes in my life..."

Click here to listen to "Changes In My Life"

Durbur Square, Kathmandu, Nepal

It's All About Timing

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Life is all about timing...

...the beating of the heart, the continuous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, the growth and development from a fertilized egg to a very fragile infant and tothe aging and maturity processes until the last breath...


All things and events that happen in our life have their own place in time. Never expect too much to happen in a short day...ain't all gonna happen all at the same time. As the song says "One Day At A Time...", things happen in a timely manner. Look at the past and take a snap shot of an event that happened at a certain moment and internalize the moment-by-moment changes and progressions. This of this like a time-lapse photography of a growing seedling to a young plant. Amazing, isn't it?

There are many situations that we even never imagine in the past that happens in the present time, of course, we all want all for good...but, remember that harsh situations in life are inevitable and they will happen, no matter what.

Storms happen inlife. They happen for good reason. Storms make us strong and courageous if we take it as challenges, learning experience and as the ways to grow to maturity. Life is like a boat ride where ripples and turbulence will always be expected in a long journey. Being and strong and courageous in facing life's challenges will make all unfold in a positive way. I am a Christian, therefore, I believe what God said to Joshua.... "Be strong and courageous, do not be discouraged nor dismayed, for I, your God, is with you everywhere you go." - (Joshua 1:9 - Bible).

I do believe that no matter what you beliefs are, philosophy or religion in life...being strong and courageous are the common denominators among all people to overcome hurdles and in facing life's trials.

One song that I remember, specially in times when I need to wait for an answer or anything that I envision to happen is the song "In His Time." In this song, all things are made beautiful in a timely manner. Waiting patiently is an important value in life. There is time for everything and it's all about timing.


Mongolia - Country of Blue Sky (Summer trip to Israel and Mongolia 2011)

Life Moves On....

Click here to watch Sept. 11, 2011 This is one of the Sundays I arrived home as early as 6:30 pm after a full day outside. Day started at the church and I was there as early as 9:30 am to set up the LCD and computer for the presentation about my travels abroad. Pastor Richard had asked me to share to congregation since June before my trips to Mongolia and Israel. It was just now it happened. Sept. 12 It's Monday and all classes today went well. The students liked the density experiment using salt water, freshwater, golf ball and pingpong ball. Today's workout was exceptional...I'm getting used to the changes of equipment in the gym...They spent 2.5 million $ for equipment upgrade. The Buso is what I liked the most.....I'm home now watching "Eat Bulaga" while writing this blog. It is always good to be in relaxed mode after a full day at work, workout and swim. Ithis week is extra full...Tuesday lunch House N meeting at work, Back to School Night on Thursday...and thinking if I'm going with mom and dad in Chuckchansi this weekend. Sept. 13 Late swim today! I had a 40-min powernap before hitting the gym and pool...It pays off. The energy just spiked up. What makes powernap a better rejuvinatio. than regular night sleep? Many times we wake up from night sleep with some aches specially when we slept in wrong or odd position. It's a long week this week...staying an extra hour at work tomorrow for the start of after-school tutorial and stay as late as 8 pm om Thursday for the Back to School Night. There is always a look loooong week at work. It will pass, anyway! October 1, 2011 What happened to the last 9 months...It's October and autumnal leaves have started to brown and to fall. Time fallback is soon and it's always cool to fall it back for extra hour of sleep. This past three weeks have been over capacity both work, home, personal and family. Car needed to be towed two weeks ago and was taken to shop for three days and drove rental to move around. It's fix now by far. This car is still OK and I will not but a new one until it is unfixable. October 22, 2011 Finally got the time to update blogs...The last five weekends have been very occupied but for good reason. Unexpectedly, I made an offer to a house and it was and it was accepted. As of now I'm just waiting for the closure of the deal. I believe that this is God's will and it happened for a good reason...I'm excited in a way. I will still live in my present home and my parents will be living in the new home...my sister gets their home in Santa Cruz and I am happy for my sister to take over my parent's place! This week has bee so filled up with other work-related responsibilities--- quarter grades, professional development, curriculum meeting, house meetings, after school tutorials. All went well and the week went by so fast.....as expected. It's alway healthy to work as it is always good to mind and spirit to work and be productive. Work gives us opportunities to do our very best. On the other note....a former student way back 2006 saw and approached me when I was in 7-11 convenient store....how wonderful to see and hear from her that she has been moving on with her life and planning to go to college. The most power statement she said that now she realize why teachers and parents turn to be unhappy if students and children, respectively, are not doing what are expected. What a beautiful realization of life from a young person! Brazil ...here I come....November 21 and through Thanksgiving! In less a month after the trip to Brazil I will be in Islands of Bermuda before the Christmas day LIfe is good! Jamaica in Spring Break in April 2012 and India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia in the summer of 2012. October 23, 2011 What a wonderful day! Woke up early moron his morning and had the time to prepare myself well for the church. I am so glad that I am back t my regular Sunday agenda in going to church. It was in the last 5 Sundays that I have to go to LB and do a house hunting and not it's finally settled. I am hoping to close the ex row by the end of this week. It's all God's will. On the other note....went to gym and pool after the service at the church and I had an exquisite swim drills and practice. I I swam backstrokes 85% of the time and the other 15% was mixed. This water bottle drills for backstrokes has been paying off. I love the lil' gliding and torso rotations I accomplished. Now I am loving backstrokes....used to be one of the least favorites....doing my very best. Looking forward to this brand new week!

The Best Gift!

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The Best Gift!
By: Swim_butterfly
(9.5.11)



An old saying I heard when I was young.

As young as in primary and teenage times.

My parents and teachers taught it to me.

But I disregarded it and became so care-free.

I liked boxes of gifts instead of this saying,

that I gave no time to bother contemplating.



Now that I am almost reaching the middle age.

I come to realize more than ever that health is really a wealth!

Disregard all material things, achievement, fame and popularity.

Health is something that makes me appreciate all in me.



A healthy body makes mind thinks clearly.

A healthy body makes confidence so easy.

A healthy body makes life stress-free.

A healthy body is beautiful to see.



Each year of my life is a gift from heaven.

A gift that God predestined to happen.

He has a plan for each year,

so keeping it healthy makes His plan happens gracefully.



A healthy body is a golden treasure,

that will last forever as long as I live.

Having a healthy body is being wealthy...

and very wealthy as it can be!

It is something that is more than a million dollar worth of things.

Even more than popularity, position, fame and material things.



No matter how much money one has.

No matter how vast the property one has.

No matter how famous one is.

All will be crashed and burnt when body is sickly.


Do not ignore our good health.

It is the best gift ever that we have received.

It is always the best to plan ahead -

to stay fit, stay active, eat right, live right and think right.

Keep in mind to live strong and healthy.

In effect, you will live joyfully and peacefully.



Everyone will reach the final days,

indeed, we will leave all behind.

While alive, enrich and enjoy our life to the fullest

in a healthy, positive, caring and sharing ways.

When the final days occur,

which no doubt, it will really happen.

I would like it to exist peacefully,

and, of course, NOT painfully...

and WITH a remarkable legacy!

Let us treasure our health because...

HEALTH is WEALTH!








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Chinese Chopsuey! .... Whatever Goes..

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Click here to watch my travels


Click here to watch the funny side of me


Click here to watch my travels

Click here to listen to a Korean Christian singer Sohyang. I admire her powerful voice! Majestic and solid!

I called this blog "Chopsuey" because it has many topics in one writing. You understand what I mean with this if you are an Asian...hahahaha.

It's taking me long to finish this writing. I am in the mood of writing at midnight or between midnight and 2 o'clock in the morning. OMGully, this will be hard...I want to sleep more. Another time when I am in the mood of writing is after swimming while munching post-workout foods in my car just like now. Thanks to this iPad that is so versatile and handy. There are still other quotes I like to include I this blog but I will post this few ones anyway. I'll do the others sometime later and I'll make it better.

Side thoughts: Today is the 4th day of my summer vacation since Saturday. Oh boy, it has been so relaxing and no buzzing of the alarm clock early 5 am. This summer vacation is more relaxed than last year. My biological clock is still in the "work day" mode. I don't want to wake up early but I still always do, but the cool thing is that I am able to take a power nap in the afternoon! It feels so good!

I will be in Israel 13 days from now. My excitement level is pumping up. This will be an experience that I will be able to make good connections between my faith and the Holy Land. I will visit Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Masada, Jordan River, Dead Sea and I am forgetting others...I need to check my itinerary in Israel. It's all done! Following after Israel, I am heading to Ulaanbataar in Mongolia. This will be exciting --- hot, hot, hot, hot...in the 100s! Yes, I love the heat but let see how tolerant my body will be I the Gobi desert! No snakes please!!!

Now...let me get to the quotes...read on...

June 4, 2011
"Confidence is a quality that may cause a person to succeed or fail in life." Stanley

Every one is expected to be confident! Being confident is different from being prideful and arrogant. The latter makes someone to be disliked by many. How confident are you? I've met and seen people who suffer from self pity. Self pity is destructive! It's a strong sign of low self-esteem. What causes lack of confidence? In my opinion, lack of believe in oneself that one "can do" causes it. Others such as unemployment, lack of education and negative attitude and outlook in life.


June 4, 2011
"The words we say could be an encouragement or a deterrent to our success in life." Stanley

It was last week that I heard this quote from Charles Stanley. I made me to start thinking of each word we say in every sentence. Words are very powerful. It is even more forceful than written language. The facial expression, hand gestures and more evidently, the eyes' focus and movement add to the "intensity" of each word we say. As I reflect on this quote, it came across to my mind the other quote Charles said I his message. "People listen to our words, look at our walk, and observe our work." This is very true. I always listen, look and observe my students' words, work and directions in the classroom, respectively. We are (always) careful --- as it should be--- in our driving habit since cops are camouflaging and spotting how we drive, moreso, traffic cameras in many urban cities (2 in the corner of 41st Avenue and Clares Street). Positive affirmation is very important for our determination to continue with the good work. Bosses of companies and administrators of schools, I think, should be sensitive to the good work of their employees, specially if the product of the work was a result of an "extra mile" of unsolicited effort on the part of the employee. Too much and frequent affirmation can be "dangerous" though. One who gives affirmation should consider the timing when doing it. I don't frequently say "good job" to my students. They are expected that there are tasks in class the are part of their responsibilities. Affirmations are done sparingly but quality.


June 5, 2011
"Calm is strength, upset is weakness." Fred Jones

I heard his quote from Fred Jone's Tools for Teaching Workshop in Rockville, Maryland in July 2007. This is a powerful quote. What do parents do when they are "pissed of" with their children? Of course....nag, nag, nag!
The more nagging, the "cooler" the children get. Students find it hilarious and entertaining when their teacher frequently nags at them...my experience. It's better to be as silent as a "lamb" and let the silence diffuse their loudness. This is tested. Shut mouth causes big mouths to shut up! Silence is powerful. There were times when students turned too loud and it seemed that they will not stop. I will keep my mouth shut until they realize that my silence is a clue that I am in control of my temper. As a result, they will start quieting down...and I won! This proves that being calm is strength! A gentle answer turns away wrath, a harsh word stirs up anger. Provide 15:1. Lastly, a kind word is as sweet as honey and sweet taste. But remember, being angry at times is not always bad. We have to know what is "good anger" and " bad anger."

June 6, 2011
"Nothing is better than this day." Goethe

I found this quote from a quote book from my mother given to her by her former co-worker when she was working. I selected quotes from these book and included it as "signature" for my emails for a while. In fact the quote "Nothing is better than this day" is still in one of my emails as part of my signature. Each day is new! Each day has it's identity. Though I have strict routines I follow daily, I treat each day as a brand new day. Frankly, I have not felt any boredom or any down time in each day...even when I am on vacation. One day last week I had a short chat with one of the persons at the gym and he said, "School is over and I have nothing to do...I am bored!" and he kept on walking in circle around second level of the gym. Hmmmm....he is really bored. Today, I another acquaintance at the gym said, "I have anxiety attack!" I asked if he is affected by the gloomy weather. "No, it's my work!", he replied. We all have different mind set in treating each day. How do you see your day? We we are weak, we will be afffected by the negative feelings of others. On the other hand, listening to someone who is in discomfort is a strength.

August 27, 2011

Whoa...it took long before I get to this "Chopseuy" blog again. Got sidetrack with other foci after the trips in Israel and Mongolia in June and July, plus I'm back to work. About work...it has been good by far. School has been in session for 3 weeks now and going to it's 4th week. My assignment this year is different from the previous years...all of my students are in transitional level, i.e., they are still language-challenged (English Language Learners). They are the most difficult to teach! It's smoothly moving on by...of course, few has started to show up their true colors....but no worries...intervention has been in placed with the hopes that they work.

On the other note...

It's Saturday morning and I'm here in Firestone waiting for my car to finish tire rotation, oil change and sparks plugs service. Mileage efficiency should improve after this spark plug replacement...it's due. Nice to have a lounge in the waiting are in this Firestone branch in Santa Cruz and watching the news coverage of Hurricane Irene. Cape Lookout in North Carolina is severely affected. I was there 3 summers ago. Too much damage....people had left the shores. I'm thankful that my trip to Bermuda is in December and not during this hurricane season. Trip to Brazil in November during Thanksgiving break is fast approaching with expectations!

An earthquake awakened me last night at 12:20 am. A 4.plus quake hit the bay area, San Jose and Santa Cruz. I felt the shake...quite strong and lasted for about 6 seconds.

I'm still here in Firestone waiting for my car to finish maintenance...gym and swim after this. Going to concert of Kenny G and Michael Bolton tomorrow night. Monday and Tuesday this coming week are conference days...jeah... I a not in the classroom for two days...love it! What a break!





Photo shot from the Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, Ecuador. Summer 2010. Next to is a terrestrial turtle native of the island.




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What A Wonderful World!

Click here to listen to Elvis Presley's rendition of Precious Lord Take My Hand

Click here to watch


What a wonderful world we have! It's a waste if it has ended! In the past week, the most common topic I heard from my students was ...."It's the end of the world!" It was also the most frequently asked question from them specially last Friday ..."It is true that it is the end of the world!" Several of them even asked what shall I do now, it's the end of the world. I just stare and paused then said my response. "No, it's not." I simply said, "It will be big waste if the world will end in two days." I heard a student commented "Why study more....the world is ending, anyway!" This thought struck me and whispered to myself, "Whoever you are who started this "end of the world thing" --- stop it!

Rest assured, the end will really arrive, but it will be a renewed Earth...like heaven, which is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I remember a song "Heaven Is A Wonderful Place" song that I enjoyed singing with others during the singspiration in the big group gathering before we break out into classed during Daily Vacation Church School (DVCS). This was years back when I was in elementary grades. Wow! Other things I started remembering....the pineapple juice and MY Son biscuits served during break. I was just a little, innocent kid and food was always a "hook," just like other regular growing kid.

Let me get this to what my mind is trying to get into in this writing (which I let my mind to just "free flow" when I write blogs). This morning as I prepare my breakfast, the podcast of Charles Stanley I was listening said, "It will be a renewed Earth when rupture happen and it will be like heaven. If the world has ended, then the devil has won!" What a timely message! Surely, it will be a better Earth when the end will come. It will be a start of a "heavenly" beginning! Earth is the most wonderful place in this universe because this is where life exist...at least the only know spot I the universe where life is possible. Who knows what lies in the other far side of this vast universe. If there are creatures there, I am pretty sure they are also eager to know what's in this part of the universe where live. Unanswered question!

This world is wonderful!


Greenhouse in Gobi, Mongolia 7.2011







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Mongolia-The Blue Sky Country (Summer trip July 2011)

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Click here to watch other trips


Two-hump camel in Moltsog Els Sand dune Gobi desert, Mongolia


Click here to watch on the road to Gun Galuut Nature Reserve


Click here to watch a candid and funny clip in Mansushir Monastery, Mongolia


Click here to watch Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue


Click here to watch Terelj National Park


Click here to watch Yolin Valley Canyon, Mongolia


Just arrived in Chinggis Khaan Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia....Funny...


Click here to see ruins in Mansushir Monastery


Click here to watch Terelj National Park


Moltsog Els Sand Dune and Two-hump camel in Gobi Desert


Click here to watch Greenhouse in Gobi "Three Camel Lodge"


Mongolian Warrior Costume in Chinggis Khaan Equestrian monument museum


Click here to see the inside of a tourist ger (yurt) in Gobi desert, Mongolia


Click here to see herds in Mongolia


View of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia---en route from Beijing, China


Goodbye Gobi



Flag of Mongolia







The current flag of Mongolia was adopted on February 12, 1992. It is similar to the flag of 1949, except for the removal of the socialist star. It has three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red. Centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem (the Soyombo symbol[1] - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representations of fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the Taijitu or Yin-Yang symbol). Wikipedia



Air China that flew me from Beijing, China to Ulaanbataar, Mongolia 7.2.11. From Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion International Airport) after my trip in Israel for 10 days, Air France flew me to Paris to Beiing, China, I needed to have a transit visa in China because I need to leave the Beijing airport and take the 15-min airport shuttle bus ride from terminal 2 to terminal 3.








A souvenir (wooden horse that plays like a violin) a traveler from Mongolia who were in the same plane fr Beijing gave me! A good welcoming gestures of of the people of Mongolia 7.2.11








Horse..an iconic symbol of Mongolia. In Chinggis Khaan Hotel, UL, Mongolia 7.2.11








Chingis Khaan Hotel, Sukbaatar, Mongolia. Just arrived 7.2.11







Ghenghis Khaan statue in Sukbaatar Square, Mongolia 6.2.11








Sukbaatar Square, Mongolia 6.2.11 The day of my arrival in Mongolia! Bright and warm sunny day!








It's so open space!






















Sukbaatar Square







The blue sky..This was the bluest sky I've ever seen!







Mongolian Traditional Dance in Sakbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ... 2 days before I left UB..back to Cali..This was a Dance and Song Festival before the Mongolian Nationwide Holiday Festival on July 11-12, 2011 as part of the independence day celebration as a democratic country after long reign of communism. Click link below.


Mongolian Traditional Dance




Strolling in Ulaanbaatar Streets after a short rest in the hotel upon upon arrival from Beijing, China 7.2.11







Hustai National Park in Mongolia is the land of Wild horses Przewalski horse-Takhi, the only still living ancestor of domestic horse. It's current population now is 250 only.




























Inside the museum in Hustai National Park. Painting of Takhi and true skull of the ancient horse.








Takhi behind me. This horse is wild and protected. One should not get any closer to them.














Pointing the "lone" endangered ancient Mongolian horse. Unluckily, the horse has a broken hind leg. It was painful to see as this horse struggles.







People keep a certain distance to the ancient horse. They are wild.







Hike in Hustai National Park in search of the ancient horse.













Gers (yurts) in Hustai Natioanal Park






Just posed for a photo shoot with the ger as a background. I slept in one the tourist gers in the Gobi desert. Very cool!









A burrow of a marmot at National Park in Mongolia, the the land of Wild horses Przewalski horse-Takhi, the only still living ancestor of domestic horse. It's current population now is 250 only.








Eagle on my head in the museum at Hustai National Park in Mongolia, the land of Wild horses Przewalski horse-Takhi, the only still living ancestor of domestic horse. It's current population now is 250 only.















My lunch in Hustai National Park... I'm really hungry 7.3.11 (espresso, Mongolian soup with sheep meat, rice, veggies, ground camel meat)








Aero Mongolia flew me to the Gobi. (1 hour 45 mins air travel from Ulaanbaatar to Gobi flying southwest)









In the plane Aero Mongolia flying back to Ulaanbaatar from the Gobi desert.







"Three Camel Lodge" in Gobi, Mongolia's premiere luxury expedition camp (I was in ger # 1, close to lodge reception, restaurant, showers, wash rooms, kitchen, and of course a nice overlooking view). One-hour ride from Gurvan Saikhan Airport in Dalanzadgad, Gobi to the lodge.

Ger #1 This was the tourist ger (yurt) at "Three Camel Lodge" where I stayed in my trip to the Gobi desert.







Inside the tourist ger



























The ger camp where I had Mongolian lunch upon arriving in Gobi from Ulaanbaatar via Aero Mongolia.









Famous Yoling Valley, Gobi Mongolia 7.4.11. It was a three-hour bumpy ride in a tourist van on the unpaved roads of the Gobi. The Russian tourist van below was unbelievably strong in the sand.










Sand dunes of Moltsog Els, Gobi 7.4.11
We (with my local your guide and the local driver) drove 3 hours on an unpaved roads to reach the nomad family in the sand dunes of the Moltsog Els of the Gobi desert. The nomad family let me ride in their camel to the sand dunes.


Notice the blue sky!








Notice the red color of the sand dune








Notice the 2 humps of the camel
















Notice the yellow-orange of the sky









Greenhouse in Gobi





























The tourist ger where I stayed in my trip to Gobi desert


















Inside the tourist ger























In Gobi, Mongolia








Tourist gers (yurts) in the background







The blue sky! The bluest sky I've ever been under!


















My breakfast in the Three Camel Lodge












Mansushir Monastery, Mongolia 7.6.11





















Imitating Buddha posture




















Yak in Yolin Valley Natural History Museum

























Vultures in the natural museum








Mansushir Monastery ruins












Gun Galuut Nature Reserve 7.7.11

Gun-Galuut, 130 km south-east of Ulaanbaatar, is the state combined from diversity of ecosystem although it owns comparatively small area. The complex of high mountains, steppes, rivers, lakes and wetlands are kept in their original condition. Visitors to Gun-Galuut see vast steppes seeming to meet the sky, the imposing mountains of Baits and Berkh, the homeland of rare creatures, Ikh-Gun and Ayaga lakes, a paradise of birds, Kherlen, the longest river of Mongolia and the Tsengiin Burd wetland, where water and wetland birds lay their eggs.






























Spotting wild sheep in Gun Galuut Nature Reserve















































































































Terelj National Park 7.9.11





















With my horse ride Mongolian guide in Terelj National Park













With a Mongolian family living in ger in Terelj National Park






Khan statue (Mongolians call him Chinggis and Europeans call hin Genghis) 7.9.11

Just arrived in the Jinhangxian International Business Hotel in Beijing, China from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 7.10.11