On the road again... north of Buerjin heading towards Altai.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Of course, when I got up into the mountains the weather was terrible and the road to Hemu was closed. I decided to head back down to a lower altitude.
Last comment 02/17/08.

That's more like it. The weather down in the Chonghuer Valley was much more pleasant, so I decided to stay there for a few days.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Some lovely purple flowers grow along the river just outside the village of Hongqi.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Sunflower power! It's true... sunflowers are the most photogenic object on earth, and there were lots of 'em around Hongqi.
Last comment 02/17/08.

The main street in the village of Hongqi. Not much going on... that's for sure.
Last comment 02/17/08.

The local mosque in Hongqi. Most of the people in and around Altai are Kazakhs who practice Islam.
Last comment 02/17/08.

The bridge in and out of Hongqi.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Nice valley, eh? Blue skies, puffy white clouds, green fields, yellow sunflowers.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Perhaps the scariest public toilet known to man... especially in the middle of the night. I wish I somehow could have included the narrow, muddy alleyway I had to navigate to get to there. Men to the left, women to the right.
Last comment 02/17/08.

The first obstacle on the way to the scary outhouse was this crazy dog... don't get too close!
Last comment 02/17/08.

The daughter of the restaurant owner I stayed with in Hongqi. She couldn't stand still long enough for a clear shot. I happen to like this "night portrait" effect, however.
Last comment 02/17/08.

The view from my room in Hongqi. What you might call a 5-star dump. But at $2.50/night who cares?
Last comment 02/17/08.

On the way back from Hongqi towards Buerjin.
Last comment 02/17/08.

Fields of gold on the way to the Kazakh border.
Last comment 02/17/08.