The world's coldest capital

At about 4,400 feet above sea level, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is the coldest capital in the world. In the spirit of its nomadic people, the city has relocated 28 times. Almost half of the country's population live in Ulaanbaatar.

Above 2 photos, Genghis Khan Square, downtown Ulaanbaatar.

That's the iconic Blue Sky Hotel, towering behind (and to the left of) Choijiin Lama Temple. Some Mongolians say it resembles a huge knife poised to slice down into Genghis Khan Square. We're fortunate to have a south-facing room (ie, at the knifepoint) overlooking the square.

After traveling out in the rural provinces, many tourists relish the urban comforts of Ulaanbaatar. For such a small city, there are a surprising number of excellent vegan, vegetarian, and Indian restaurants.

One of my favorite places in Ulaanbaatar --up on a hilltop overlooking the city is the Gandan Khiid Buddhist Monastery.

Kazakh eagle hunters, Western Mongolia

The Eagle Festival takes place yearly in Olgii, Western Mongolia, near the Russian border, home to many Kazakh people. This is a 2-day event that includes several eagle-hunting competitions. It is estimated that there are about 400 eagle hunters in the Olgii region.

We also had the opportunity to visit a nomadic family living outside of Olgii.

The day we visited, the family was preparing to relocate to their winter location, closer in to a nearby village.

Time to fly back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. Due to the busy festival weekend, Aero Mongolia asked us to check in at 5 am, even though our flight wasn't until 8 am.

English class, Dundgovi, Mongolia

 Alta and Dawn demonstrating English-learning games to a class of 11-year-olds. Dundgovi province, northern Gobi.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

 The northern part of the Gobi Desert is about a 4-hour drive South of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

 Roadside rest stop during the drive to the desert.

 Socialist-era mural at our hotel in Mandalgov, the capital of Dungovi province.

 Mandalgov's museum.

 Camel herder family in their ger (yurt), northern Gobi.

 Traditional Mongolian ger. These vary from region to region in Mongolia.

 I had the chance to take a short ride. Camels here can go a week without water and a month without food, and can carry up to 500 pounds. About two-thirds of Mongolia's camels are in the Gobi Desert.

Above 2 photos, the ride back north to the capital.