The Flaming Mountains! Looks a lot like Southern Utah doesn't it. These mountains aren't to far from where I live and are a big tourist attraction out here. 
No it isn't raining. Why the umbrella you might ask? Because when it is this hot you have to carry your own shade. This is a picture of the fire raining down on me in a wall mural that is at the visitor center here. 
This giant thermometer shows you how hot it is. When I was there in July it was 64 degrees Celsius. That is almost 150 degrees Fahrenheit! It was HOT!
In a desert area as hot as that the ground is completely dry and cracked. No sand in this desert.
Guess if you spend too much time in the heat you start to look like your camel!
The people out here are a minority group where the men wear hats and their skin is tanned from their time in the sun.
Camels are just waiting for you the tourist to take a ride.
No it isn't raining. Why the umbrella you might ask? Because when it is this hot you have to carry your own shade. This is a picture of the fire raining down on me in a wall mural that is at the visitor center here. 
This giant thermometer shows you how hot it is. When I was there in July it was 64 degrees Celsius. That is almost 150 degrees Fahrenheit! It was HOT!
In a desert area as hot as that the ground is completely dry and cracked. No sand in this desert. Even with temperatures that hot we are not alone. People actually live out here!
Guess if you spend too much time in the heat you start to look like your camel!
During the hottest parts of the day after lunch the smart ones try to catch a nap in the shade of their donkey carts. Poor donkey- no shade for him.
The people out here are a minority group where the men wear hats and their skin is tanned from their time in the sun.
Camels are just waiting for you the tourist to take a ride. It is how most people out here try to make a living.
Kneeling down to let someone go for a ride. Be careful- they are taller than you think.
The camels don't seem to mind the heat.
Kneeling down to let someone go for a ride. Be careful- they are taller than you think.
The camels don't seem to mind the heat.
I only braved the heat for about 30 min! But it was worth the trip to see the beautiful red rock.
Welcome to Grape Valley where you can find rows upon rows of grape vines strung over canopies. 
Life revolves around the vineyard and you can find many people sitting around, playing music while they wait for the grapes to get ripe. 
The grapes get bigger and bigger and if you look closely between the green leaves you can see the huge bunches hanging down.
Once they are ripe ladders and 
Some of the grapes get put in these funny looking buildings with holes where they can dry and turn into raisins. The desert climate out here is perfect for them.
Others get shipped into town where they are sold in the local markets for us to eat!
The city its self is on an island of rock that is surrounded by lush river valleys.
It seems so desolate until you look over the edge of the cliff and see the crops below that people are still working the land to produce.
We could see some of the current residents out picking cotton.
As you tour the city they take you through some tunnels and raisin drying rooms where you can buy 
Tall buildings...
busy, crowded streets...
I love it!
When my parents came over one of the first things we did was ride the tram up to the top to get a look around at all the buildings and harbors.
This is the harbor between the 
Here is mom and dad looking out towards the island across the harbor next to the water.
The sunsets and skyline are beautiful.
Also while my parent's and I were in 
It was a beautiful winding drive and made me appreciate tropical places although I am still not sure I ever one to live in one!
Along the edge of the beach there are some buildings...
... and if you look around you will soon discover Stanley's Market!
Stanley's is very famous and FULL of rows upon rows and booths upon booths, of every kind of 
Welcome to the most populated square mile on earth and one of my favorite places to play in 
Every night they close down the street traffic and people over flow out into the street. It is pretty much an all night party!
It doesn't matter that it is night because all the signs keep it well lit! There are movie theaters, restaurants, malls, cafes, street vendors, night markets, you name it, it's here.
