epa03019292 Philippine Navy soldiers collect solar bottle bulbs at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, east of Manila, Philippines 30 November 2011. Volunteer cyclists, military units, private organizations and government workers participated in 'A Liter of Light,' a sustainable energy program aimed at providing solar-powered lighting to underprivileged homes in the country. An estimated 10,000 pieces of the solar bottle bulb, which is made of a mixture of water and bleach in a plastic bottle and uses solar energy to produce light, are expected to be initially delivered to urban poor homes in 17 cities of Metro Manila.  EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

In pictures: The world on 30/11/2011



If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali