Weather-beaten farmer. Gobi desert, July 2009

With his goats and his Ger, it seemed like this farmer
lived a simple life. He still had a solar panel and a
satellite dish though. So much for isolation.

Pitstop. Dalanzadgad, Aug 2009

A riderless bike in the south Gobi where we stopped to
buy beer. Motorbikes are the main way of coralling sheep
and goats, and also stocking up on supplies.

Great Wall. Mùtiányù, July 2009

Directions for avoiding tourists: get up very early,
and follow the workers' path to the wall at Mutianyu.
Take pictures, and have breakfast feeling smug.

The Flaming Cliffs. Bayanzag, July 2009

It's pretty cool to unearth something that hasn't been seen for
65 million years. We found dinosaur bones just under the surface
by simply digging under the Gobi sand with our hands.

Summer Palace. Beijing, July 2009

The Tower of Buddhist Incense at the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Arrive just before closing time to avoid the crowds.

The first 'Manly' sport. Bayanzag, Aug 2009

The winning horses approaching the line in the mini-Nadaam
festival near Bayanzag. And yes, they are children riding them
- adults are disqualified. They do the wrestling instead.

Total Eclipse. Hangzhou, July 2009

The diamond ring at the end of my second total eclipse,
through a slight haze in Hangzhou. A slightly fuzzy image,
but I was pretty excited and forgot to use the timer.