Sonia – Page 10 – Journeys with Sonia

Mongolia Day 5: The Gobi

On June 15, 2017

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 5, June 15, 2017

The Gobi Desert

This morning we had a very, very early flight to the Gobi. Early as in 5:30AM. We were told to travel as light as possible as even our carry-on would be weighed and we would be charged for any weight over 33 pounds. That’s a hard thing to tell a photographer! But we all managed. As we went through security, every one of us buzzed and were hand checked. Not sure what the point of the metal detectors was since even with no metal, we all buzzed. The Aero Mongolia plane was a small prop, a Fokker 50, with seats 2×2 so everyone that wanted a window, got a window. And from the window we could see a message under the prop: Thank you for flying with us.

Mongolia Day 4: Genghis Khan and the Eagles

By Sonia

On June 14, 2017

In Mongolia

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 4, June 14, 2017

Sunrise again (well, it does rise every morning)

Our itinerary this morning said, “Enjoy a morning at leisure before returning to Ulaanbaatar,” Ha! We were up before the crack of dawn, heading to our next site to photograph another sunrise.

This time we were going to the river to watch the sun come up on the other side of the bank. I was in the car with Michael, our photography teacher, and the car was having difficulties moving across the terrain. Every so often the driver would stop, back up and then go forward again. Michael was going crazy as we were racing the sun.

Mongolia Day 3 (con’t): Nomads

By Sonia

On June 13, 2017

In Mongolia

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 3, June 13, 2017

“Nokho khorio” (“Call off the dog”)

In the early afternoon we set out again, this time to visit a nomad family. I asked Azaa how she decided who to visit and how she let them know when we were coming. She laughed and said we would drive around and just pick a ger to stop at. That is the way of the nomads. No advance notice. But always gracious and welcoming. When a stranger stops by, you open your home and offer food and drink. The Mongolians believe that the courtesy you extend to a stranger today will be repaid in the future when the situation is reversed.

Mongolia day 3: Steppes, Argali sheep and so much more

By Sonia

On June 13, 2017

In Mongolia

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 3 June 13, 2017

Sunrise

We woke up before the break of dawn, because just as we wanted to photograph the sunset, we also wanted to photograph the sunrise. As I stepped outside my ger to make my way to the bathrooms, I could see the sky beginning to turn pink and purple on the horizon. A few of us brave souls climbed up the mountain adjacent to our camp and settled in to watch nature at its best. It turns out that all of Mongolia is nature at its best.

Mongolia day 2: Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

By Sonia

On June 12, 2017

In Mongolia

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 2 June 12, 2017

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

Today we left UB and headed south-east to the steppes of Mongolia, to the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. Instead of the bus, which would never make it on the “roads” outside of the city, we became a caravan of vans. The cars were all numbered and drove in order. We were in the car with Azaa, as well as Tommy and Marilyn so the four of us got to ask Azaa lots of questions and learn more about Mongolia on our long drive.

We quickly left the city behind us, the tall buildings morphing into brown mountains. Brown is the primary color now as Mongolia is in a draught.

Mongolia Day 1– Finally Arriving in Ulaanbaatar

By Sonia

On June 11, 2017

In Mongolia

National Geographic Trip to Mongolia, Day 1 Sunday June 11, 2017

Arriving in Mongolia

The journey I have been dreaming about for years is finally upon me.

We got to the airport a bit early for our noon flight from Hong Kong to Ulaanbaatar (the locals pronounce it Ulan Baa [like a lamb] tar or UB). I was excited and wanted to be sure to get a window seat (usually, on domestic flights, I’ll fight for an aisle seat, but when traveling abroad I love seeing the country from the sky). This was the trip I have most wanted to take for years. And we were finally on our way to Mongolia.

The Giant’s Causeway

By Sonia

On October 25, 2016

In Ireland, North Ireland

Tuesday Oct 25, 2016

The Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway was one of the most beautiful and interesting sights in Northern Ireland. is an area of about 40,000 interlocking massive black basalt columns sticking out from the sea, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, about 60 million years ago. It is also known as Clochán an Aifir. It is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and in 2015 was awarded the UKs Best Heritage Attraction at the British Travel Awards. It was discovered around 1690 and at that time there were lots of arguments as to whether the Causeway had been created by men with picks and chisels, by nature, or by the efforts of a giant. Only in 1771 was it discovered that it was caused by a volcano.

Leaving Belfast Along the Coast of Northern Ireland

By Sonia

On October 25, 2016

In North Ireland

Day 7, Tuesday Oct 25, 2016

Carrickfergus on the Belfast Lough

We drove out of Belfast early in the morning and got to see the sun rising and turning the sky a brilliant orange (not the best color in Northern Ireland, as you will see below, but this one is Nature’s doing).

The countryside continued to be gorgeous. We drove past lots of farms. Rolling green, green hills. White dots of sheep. Trees burning with color. And the bluest water ever. We drove through villages, past war memorials, horses and even longhorn cattle. We drove past white houses against the green fields.

Black Taxi Tour – and The Troubles

By Sonia

On October 24, 2016

In North Ireland

Day 6, Monday October 24, 2016

Black Taxi Tour of Belfast

We had visited the Peace Wall and Wall of Murals briefly as part of our tour. But Thea and Steve and Andy and I had talked about taking a black taxi tour of Belfast that afternoon. These are tours that take place in the old London black taxis, driven by “survivors” of the Troubles, who tell their stories of their first hand experiences. Part of me felt like we had already seen the Peace Wall etc, but part of me wanted to hear more stories. But we decided not to go. Then Dan mentioned that he and Jean were going and Andy and I decided to join them after all. And were we glad we did!