Summer Travel: Japan, Mongolia, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and more
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Hey, guys! I don’t have a new recipe for you today. However, I wanted to share with you all the fun I had this summer. I thought it’s about time to share a little bit of sweet & savory life. Out of thousands of pictures I have on my hard drive, I’m sharing just a few of them here. 🙂 (Any one else have a problem with taking a little too many photos?)
Late June…
My very first stop was Tokyo, Japan. I had an overnight layover there, and didn’t want to miss an opportunity to take a glimpse of Tokyo. Luckily, foodie friends, that I know through FB (online friends are real thing these days!), live there and they generously offered to show me around.
I had such a lovely time in Tokyo, enjoying great food and laughing with the great company. I also felt like I came to the future. Everything was automated, yet the customer service was amazing! (Each table at the restaurant had a tablet to place your order! Vending machines read your card remotely, just hold your wallet at the censor to get your drink! And I’m not even gonna talk about bathrooms…)
At at the popular street food stand, where many Japanese celebrities stop by…
At the famous Shibuya Crossing…
Next stop was my motherland, Mongolia, where I got to spend an entire month with my family. There is nothing like to spend quality time with my parents, sisters, nieces and nephew! The kids are growing way too fast. The oldest niece,2, is talking non-stop now, the second niece,1, is walking and running everywhere, and my nephew, who just turned 1, is now a big guy trying to walk on his own. Precious times!
July…
At Naadam festival in Erdenet city, Mongolia, my hometown. Naadam is national holiday to celebrate three main sports: wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
Me on a horse and camel…
A day camping by the river and making Mongolian traditional meal, called Khorkhog. It’s basically a Mongolian barbecue, cooked with hot stones in a air-tight container. Nothing similar to what most americans think is Mongolian barbecue. 🙂
And right before the end of my vacation in Mongolia, I was invited to a cooking TV show, Sweet Kitchen. This is my very first appearance on TV. Such a fun experience! I made my mushroom quiche, cheesecake bars, and fruity sangria.
August…
As all good things must come to an end, it was time for me to come back home to my husband. This time, I came home with my mom. It was her very first time in the US, so we wanted to show her as much as we can in short time she had here. The very first place we took her was Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where these big boys live.
Wild buffalos at Theodore Roosevelt National Park…
Mom and I had to go shopping at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN. Of course, we couldn’t miss Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Such a serene place!
We also had an amazing 1550-mile road trip with my mom and husband a few weeks ago. ND-MT-WY-SD-ND. Yep! We had a great time, and these pictures are proof of that! 🙂
Yellowstone National Park is a magical place. My favorite spot is Sapphire pool, so clear, so blue and so deep! (It’s the one where I’m in the picture.) Really though, everything is beautiful there.
And this is my handsome husband, Garrat, my #1 taste tester! I don’t think I’ve shared many pictures of him. 🙂
Grand Teton, WY
Thermopolis, WY
Very neat town. This cliff is basically built off of mineral deposits from the mineral water. Isn’t it beautiful?
And look at this guy. Hungry much?
Gorgeous mountains!
Devils Tower, WY
Mt. Rushmore, SD was our final stop on our road trip. I think this is like 4th time I’ve been here. Still amazing!
Last week, Garrat and I went to Denver to see my mom off. It was sad day for me, because it was too much fun to have my mom in the kitchen with me. To lighten the mood up, hubby and I went to our favorite botanical garden, where they were featuring Chihuly Exhibition.
Are those glass art works simply AMAZING?
I hope you enjoyed my photos today.
See you again on Friday here! I will have a delicious drink for you.
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You were on TV?!?! That is awesome!!
Yes! For the first time. It was a fun experience! 🙂
Thank you for your kind sharing. It was really nice trip and amazing nature.
I’m glad you liked it. And thank you, Gana, for stopping by!
Thank you Shinee you are very sweet as a person and also very kind for giving many advices and recipe you have good kind heart
Thank you for such a sweet comment, Mahmoud! Made my day!