The Gobi is described as a bleak, vast, silent emptiness. We had a day of rain so what vegetation was growing turned from yellow to green overnight. It is definitely immense with desert steppes as far as the eye could see. Mountains in the distance appear as minute specks.
Infrastructure is almost nonexistent as you can see by these photos of the roads we traveled on.
The expansive desert steppes are broken up with mountain ranges, canyons that fill with ice in the winter and colossal sand dunes.
Vulture Canyon is in Gurvan Saikan Valley. The high cliff walls of the canyons and gorges create a microclimate for many animals.
You can ride into Vulture Canyon on horseback, but I guess resting up is what you do when tourists want to walk.
We were on a hunt for sighting animals and spotted a small group of ibex so high up it was a real test for the maximum zoom on my camera.
Another gecko lizard that likes the stoney terrain
Pikas are small nimble mouse like creatures that belong to the rabbit family. They dart in and out of crevices with their stash of dried grass for the winter months. It was no easy task to snap this pika on the move but he paused long enough for me. 
Riding a Bactrian camel is an experience. After getting on it is very unnerving as the camel stands up. It is essential to hold on tight to the front hump. As we ride in a train holding onto the rope of the camel behind, you get to be up close and personal with the camel behind. He'll snort, rub his whiskery face on your leg, sneeze and yawn his bad breath.
The giant sand dunes of Khongoryn Els are the largest in Mongolia and know by the locals as the 'singing sands' because of the sound made by the avalanches on a windy day.
The green grass at the base of the dunes has underwater springs that form a small river. The sandy bottom responds to noise by bubbling like a Rotorua mud pool. Our drivers and guide sung a folk sink and the wet sand responded to the deep sounds.
Our lunch stop at a rural service town. Note the incinerator for burning the town's rubbish on the left.
The road into town.
The local supermarket
The shelves of the supermarket.
I met a new friend. Byanbaa and I stopped for a chat, but he wasn't saying much.
Lunch was rather tasty. We were told we were eating goat. Our lunches and dinners typically were loaded with lots more meat than we were used to.
The Flaming Red Cliffs of Bayanzag are best known for first ever site where dinosaur egg nests were discovered back in the 1920s. It's a palaeontologist's paradise for fossil discoveries. We had no such luck. Apparently after diggings everything is put back as it was. When the sun sets the colours of the cliffs transform into a stunning mass of glowing fire, hence the name.
A bit of balancing fun on top in the wind.
On a more serious note. Our group with our guide and Gobi drivers.
A stunning display of rich sunsets in the Gobi.
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