I recently spent a week in the eastern Gobi Desert of Mongolia visiting some places I had seen in 2011 and new wonderful places--a few national parks and Black Mountain/Khamar Monastery/Energy Center. In my blog I tried to capture a different perspective.

We're on our way to the Gobi, but first a stop for a delicious lunch prepared by Oogii, my tour guide and Muugii, my driver. 

The road less traveled.

Our first night was spent in a ger with this wonderful family.  This little boy is 4 years old and has already learned from his parents how to herd the sheep and goats! 

I saw a lot of cats that stay inside gers, but are also let out to hunt for mice.

A lovely woman who spoke a little English which she's learning from tourists.

They're roped together making it easier to milk.

I love camels and really like this shot.  I was out of the car and when I got closer to them, the leader moved a little in the opposite direction and they all followed. 

The sun was setting in the west as the full moon was rising in the east.  It was spectacular!!!

It was towards the end of the season and because of that we were very much alone in many places.  This is a ranger station; the ranger had left, but we were able to stay in his ger.  This is the Ikh Gazariin Chuluu National Park and there are gray wolves around.

A vulture coming in for a landing trying to find something to eat.

It's always nice to get home to a regular bathroom!!!

We spent two nights in this beautiful place (just us and the ranger below)--Ikh Nart National Park--home to mountain goats and sheep.

A sort of Mongolian Jeremiah Johnson.

We're leaving the ger camp on our way to Black Mountain.

The Gobi Desert is considered a spiritual energy center because of its volcanic properties.  This is Black Mountain and the stupas were constructed by Buddhist monks--only men are allowed to go to the top, women are considered impure.  People visit this place as well as the Khamar Monastery and the Energy Center for a type of pilgrimage.

A monk in the making at Khamar Monastery.

The Energy Center or Shambhala is right up the road from the Khamar Monastery.  Off in the distance is Black Mountain.  It's a beautiful place.

Yes, that's me and my driver.

 

At one time Buddhist monks lived in these caves.

Again, people make pilgrimages starting at the monastery and walking up the path, around the stupas until they reach the Energy Center.

Khamar Monastery