This collection of photographs is from a photo safari which started in Beijing, China and continued to eastern Inner Mongolia which is an hour north of Beijing.

In July 2008, just two weeks before the start of the Summer Olympics, the adventure began in Beijing and continued to Inner Mongolia. In Beijing we started by visiting the Olympic Stadium - the Bird's Nest - and sampling the exotic foods on display at the "night market". The daytime temperature in Beijing was oppressive so the cool, shaded hutongs were a welcome respite. Along these alleys one could purchase a cold drink, fresh fruit, and visit with the friendly locals.

We then flew an hour north to eastern Inner Mongolia. Part of a small group of photographers from South Florida (The Gang of 8), we were the guests of the Inner Mongolian Photographers Association. The purpose of our visit was for cultural exchange and to be introduced to the magnificent grasslands of eastern Inner Mongolia with an eye toward opening the region to foreign tourism. Xilinhot and Bayan Ul Hot were our bases of operations and each day we would board our transport before dawn to travel out into the countryside.

We visited with the nomadic herdsmen and women who make their livelihood from horses, sheep, goats and cattle on the vast grassy plains. They welcomed us into their homes with traditional food and drink. There was milk tea (nai cha) a sweet concoction of cow's milk and strong tea with lots of sugar, mare's milk wine (arig) from horses' milk, and uremtei khool, a blend of yogurt, toasted millet, and sugar. The traditional cheese, eetsgii, is so dry as to require large gulps of nai cha to wash it down. They live in traditional yurts in the summer - round tents covered in felt with thick carpet on the floor. Surprisingly roomy inside, they are sparsely furnished with colorful painted furniture and each home has a tapestry portrait of Gengis Khan.

July is the time of Naadam, or summer festival, when the people gather to celebrate the warmth of the season. There is horse trading and racing, costume, dance and women's competitions. And there is Mongolian wrestling. The brave men in traditional dress pit their might against one another to vie for the title of most strong.

One afternoon, after spending a most amazing day visiting a national park with glorious natural sights, we were traveling back to town and passed through a small village. We spied a young lady tending her cows in the most amazingly colorful outfit that we made the driver stop. Every one of us piled out of the transport and besieged this poor lady and her family. They most graciously invited us into their home and offered us food and drink as is their custom. Here we were, a bunch of strangers from a strange land invading their lives, imposing on their good graces and they were warm and friendly, and very welcoming. A most charming end to our visit to Inner Mongolia.