Aug 29, 2009 - I'm back but will be out orf contact for 10 days

Hey I'm back in the land of the electronic age - we were in north west china for the past two weeks so no email - phone or news allowed so much to write but will not be able to get to it until tomorrow as there are other waiting for this one computer in our hotel which is lovely - swimming pool and all went for a dip earlier.Hey I'm back in the land of the electronic age - we were in north west china for the past two weeks so no email - phone or news allowed so much to write but will not be able to get to it until tomorrow as there are other waiting for this one computer in our hotel which is lovely - swimming pool and all went for a dip earlier....

Aug 25, 2009 - Kite Runner country

Set off early for a trip on the Karakol Highway to Tashkorgan (Stone Fortress)- this ws to be a round trip simply to take i thescenery and it ws well worth it I don't think I've ever seen so many cameras clicking at the same time - people moving from one side of the truck tothe other to get the best shots.Set off early for a trip on the Karakol Highway to Tashkorgan (Stone Fortress)- this ws to be a round trip simply to take i thescenery and it ws well worth it I don't think I've ever seen so many cameras clicking at the same time - people moving from one side of the truck tothe other to get the best shots....

Aug 23, 2009 - Kashgar

Left Hotan and our next camp spot appeared to be idealic - by river no where near the main road - beautiful - unfortunately the dirt road we took was being used by truck going to a nearby quarry and guess what in China they work 24/7 so my tent was about 2meters from the road and all night I thought I was going to be runover by one of the trucks - tried stuffing my ears with toilet paper helped just a little -not too many people got much sleep.Left Hotan and our next camp spot appeared to be idealic - by river no where near the main road - beautiful - unfortunately the dirt road we took was being used by truck going to a nearby quarry and guess what in China they work 24/7 so my tent was about 2meters from the road and all night I thought I was going to be runover by one of the trucks - tried stuffing my ears with toilet paper helped just a little -not too many people got much sleep....

Aug 21, 2009 - Hotan

Next stop Kotan or Hotan depending on which map you use.Next stop Kotan or Hotan depending on which map you use....

Aug 19, 2009 - Takmalakan Desert

Next stop the Takmalakan Desert - mile upon mile of sand dunes some 200m high the road we took runs north to south and ws of course built by the chinese and they have planted trees and shrubs the whole lenght to stop the sand encroaching on the road.Next stop the Takmalakan Desert - mile upon mile of sand dunes some 200m high the road we took runs north to south and ws of course built by the chinese and they have planted trees and shrubs the whole lenght to stop the sand encroaching on the road....

Aug 15, 2009 - Turpan

very hot day and headed to Turpan a city with a minus altitude and 40degree days but as nights camping first in a field where the locals kindly informed us that wolves were roaming so my nightly squat was with eyes peeled for other eyes in the dark. ... Arrived Turpan to 42 degrees but streets are lined with grape bowers so you can walk in the shade Our hotel was once quite grand but few visitors now and a bit shabby went to a local outdoor market for dinner of all sorts of kebabs noodles etc we boughtsome lamb that had been cooked on a spit and it was delicious a bit fatty as the locals like thier meat very fatty. ... Left Turpan for a big day of ...

Sep 29, 2008 - Tashkurgan, China

Left noon local/2 pm Beijing time in a big sleeper(3 rows, 2 beds high) bus after picking up a Chinese work crew at train station + others along the way.Left noon local/2 pm Beijing time in a big sleeper(3 rows, 2 beds high) bus after picking up a Chinese work crew at train station + others along the way....

Sep 26, 2008 - Kashgar, China

After the bus to immigration where we were required to toss all our fruit and cheese(we stuffed ourselves first) we got stamped in and walked to the parking area where we found no transport to Kashgar waiting. ... Being 4:30 there was little hope of any other transport and none of us had reservations in Kashgar but we all arrived at Qini Bagh Hotel(Nathanial's recommendation and one we'd all heard/read about in LP) around 10 pm local time(they go by Bejing time as well 2 hours later than local time, ha!) we were all anxious to shower and eat. ... W/o Anna & Nathaniel this journery would have been much more arduous and frustrating! The scenery between Sary-Tash & Kashgar was spectacular, so much so that I would say almost overload. ... We thought at the time it was because they had mufflers but later when we were in Lahore where the motorcycles and noise is unbelieveably loud I mentioned it to someone and they said that in Kashgar there is a law which required motorcycles to be electric! Wow, now that is amazing, and after our experiences in most other cities which are crammed w/ motorcycles and huge noise pollution I am super impressed by this in Kashgar! Checking at the bus company was not possible since the window for internatl trips was closed so we really aren't sure if the bus is going tomorrow or not. ...

Sep 20, 2008 - Day 17: IN URUMQI. EVENING FLIGHT TO KASHGAR.

Situated at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Situated at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region....

Jul 18, 2008 - Kashgar, China

Kashgar!!! This place is great! It is by far my favorite city in China. ... Much slower pace and really good food and culture.Kashgar!!! This place is great! It is by far my favorite city in China. ... Much slower pace and really good food and culture....

Jul 16, 2008 - Turpan, China

We made a quick stop in Turpan. ... We did not have a chance to spend much time since we wanted to get to Kashgar for Sunday Market.We made a quick stop in Turpan. ... We did not have a chance to spend much time since we wanted to get to Kashgar for Sunday Market....

Jul 13, 2008 - First stop on the Silk Road

We left Beijing without a problem and spent two nights in Urumqi (pronounced oo-loo-moo-chee). ... While there we saw some natural wonders and went to a museum containing artifacts from tombs.We left Beijing without a problem and spent two nights in Urumqi (pronounced oo-loo-moo-chee). ... While there we saw some natural wonders and went to a museum containing artifacts from tombs....