Author: Mike Pole

From New Zealand. Traveling the weyward path trying to figure out how the world works. I study fossil plants, past climates, travel, walk, hike, read, take photos, struggle with computer graphics and plant trees.

Mongolia – The Ghost of Moron

It was on the flight back to UIaan Baatar that I remembered the ghost. My field partner, Nyambayar, and I had been working in an area near the Mongolian town of Moron (pronounced ‘muh-roon’). Moron lies in the far north of Mongolia and is the gateway to Lake Khovsgul.  This is the largest body of water in… Continue reading Mongolia – The Ghost of Moron

Kalimantan, Indonesia – Twenty minutes from death

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The ‘high-wall’ of a mine has been the undoing of many a geologist (if an opencast mine is targeting something flat and dipping, like a coal-seam, the high-wall is the side of the pit above the deepest bed you are uncovering). Sometimes the undoing is accidental – the geo slips or the high-wall edge breaks away. Sometimes it’s… Continue reading Kalimantan, Indonesia – Twenty minutes from death

Mongolia – From Death-threats to a camel-ride

It’s March 2009 in Mongolia and there is an ill-feeling along the Gobi Altai. The year before, and some months after the last time I was in the area, a massive flash-flood had barreled out of the mountains. It funneled down what is normally a broad, dry valley. Many nomads, camping in the valley, died.… Continue reading Mongolia – From Death-threats to a camel-ride

Cheap Eats Nanjing 8 – Boiled Dumplings

I’ve been going to this place since Day-One. Fortunately I had a local with me at that time to point things out. Now they know me, and what I’m after when I wave and point.  The specialty is traditional boiled dumplings. There are various fillings and the price is by 100g (GoogleTranslate is not doing well… Continue reading Cheap Eats Nanjing 8 – Boiled Dumplings

Cheap Eats Nanjing 7 – Eggplant and noodles at ‘Have Never Met’

A trendy (the Andy-Warholesque portraits of Mao on the walls are a sort of hint, not to mention the name) up-market (eye-catching menus) sort of place. I spotted this weeks ago, then couldn’t find it again for ages. Just a few of their offerings have an English translation – I’m a big fan of eggplant, so… Continue reading Cheap Eats Nanjing 7 – Eggplant and noodles at ‘Have Never Met’

Cheap Eats Nanjing 6 – the ‘Chicken Curry’ place

If you are like me and get a craving for cheese now and again, there are limited options in Nanjing (I haven’t yet found any shops to simply buy the stuff). One option is a pizza-joint. They are around, but what you get tends to be small for the price. The other little gem I… Continue reading Cheap Eats Nanjing 6 – the ‘Chicken Curry’ place

Cheap Eats Nanjing 5 – spicy potatoes at ‘Jie Jiao Xiao Cai’

One of the things I miss in China are potatoes – so I was thrilled to come across ‘Jie Jiao Xiao Cai’. It serves a big bowl of spicy potatoes (featured image). It’s a modern, up-market place – so up-market that everyone gets handed a full-colour, glossy A3 photographic menu (no English) to tick off… Continue reading Cheap Eats Nanjing 5 – spicy potatoes at ‘Jie Jiao Xiao Cai’

Cheap Eats Nanjing 4 – Bahali Xinjiang Restaurant

For naan bread encrusted with spices, and spicy tofu – there’s the Muslim Bahali Xinjiang Restaurant. This combination (see featured image) costs 23 RMB and comes with a full pot of tea (more if you want). It’s more than I can eat in one go – so it’s a doggie-bag to have the rest for… Continue reading Cheap Eats Nanjing 4 – Bahali Xinjiang Restaurant