Jun 20, 2015 - Kyrgyzstan

Immediately after crossing the border, the terrain changed from Uzbek's primarily desert scrubland to Kyrgyzstan's lofty mountains. What a dramatic difference to go from hot, sunny days slathered in sun-screen to a cool, rainy climate complete with snow on the mountains. The culture also transitioned from a more "Middle Eastern" and Muslim feel to a nomadic people, still finding their way following independence from Russia. As a result of very little development, a lot of our time in Kyrgyzstan was spent driving through glorious mountainous...

Oct 18, 2013 - Arslanbob - Lion's Gate

Salam - Our next stop is a home stay in the village of Kochkor. Good to get a warm shower. And to get a much better idea of the living conditions for a family here. The hospitality is terrific but the food not so much. The next morning we visit a women's cooperative that specializes in felt work and embroidery. The felt work of the Kyrgyz is distinctive. We watch the process then participate. I especially appreciate a felt hat that will keep my head warm during the freezing nights camping. The weather has been colder than I anticipated. The...

Oct 13, 2013 - Jeti-Oghuz

Another high Alpine valley, Kok Jayik - the valley of flowers. Today is a "free day" which means that there are no plans and we wander about at will. I want some alone time and spend my day along the nearby line of birches. A wonderful day to appreciate, to remember, and be grateful. Enjoy the photos.

Oct 12, 2013 - Altyn Arashan

Salam - A picturesque alpine valley at 3000 meters. Would never have been able to get here on my own - too remote. Even Aziza couldn't make it. After a night in Karakol we transferred to a 6 wheel Russian troop transport and even then there were places where we had to get out and walk due to the gradient and questionable bridges. No tents but relatively frigid dorms. The real delight was a series of hot pools to relax in after hiking. Our troop transport driver, Sergei, gets into the vodka a bit heavy the first night. The next morning we...

Oct 11, 2013 - Karakol

Salam - After leaving Bishkek we spent two nights camping before reaching a hotel our third night. Too bad hot water was scarce and water pressure low. Along the way we managed a hike up a wadi into hills reminiscent of Utah, visited ancient petroglyphs, and skirted the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. Karakol had several sights of interest, including a Dungan temple which was built without nails by 20 Chinese artisans just after the turn of the Twentieth century. We also visited Holy Trinity...

Oct 7, 2013 - Kyrgyzstan - Landscapes

Salam - Kyrgyzstan - the nation of the Kyrgyz, the forty tribes. Here are a few landscape photos from Kyrgyzstan. The transition from Soviet Socialist Republic to independence has had its challenges. Lacking the mineral resources of its larger neighbors Kyrgyzstan is working at becoming an eco-tourism destination. With its magnificent scenery and friendly, post-nomadic peoples Kyrgyzstan was a pleasant surprise for me. I never tired of the changing landscapes - desert to Alpine valley, to stark mountain pass, along clear green rivers, with...

Oct 6, 2013 - Overlanding

Salam - Three days in Kyrgyzstan's capital are barely time enough to recover from 44 hours on planes and in airports. I'm 12 time zones away from the California cabin and 10 from Destin's beaches. Years away as well. Is this 1950's Soviet Union? A pioneer outpost of Tsarist Russia? A 13th Century Silk Route stop? Yes to all, just add cell phones and designer jeans. Unlike my usual solitary mode of travel, this time I'm joining a group. We'll see how that works. Overlanding began in the early '70s as companies formed to assist incompetent...

May 30, 2013 - Kyrgyzstan - a country with too many consonants

Kyrgyzstan. Pronounced Kirgizstan – not Kirgikistan or Kirgizia for short (in Russian). First question you may have is where is that? And why are you going there? Kyrgyzstan is one of the stan countries that used to be part of the USSR and is located south of Kazakhstan and west of China. From Alberta it’s literally the other side of the world. And why did I go there? I’ve always been fascinated by Central Asia especially after meeting Asian looking people who speak Russian. So as soon as I learned that a friend of mine from Toronto was...

Sep 2, 2012 - Osh

Sobota, 1 wrzesnia - Osh Od razu rano ide (wraz ze spotkanym turysta z Turcji) na poszukiwanie Osh Gesthouse. Niestety nie maja miejsc ale oferuja pokoj dwuosobowy w pobliskim mieszkaniu w posowieckim bloku za 800 Som (400 Som za osobe). Ale nie jest tak zle przynajmniej w porownaniu z poprzednimi warunkami. Ide na miasto. Osh jest podobno starszy niz Rzym ale z tej dlugiej historii niewiele sie zachowalo poprzez wojny, trzesienia ziemi i najazdow mongolskich. Ze slawnego miasta na Jedwabnym Szlaku zostalo ok 300 tys miescowosc o...

Aug 31, 2012 - Karakol - Bishkek - Osh

Czwartek, 30 sierpnia - Karakol, Bishkek Jednak nie moge sie stad dostac do Osh. Tak mnie zapewnia juz kilka osob. Droga (nie remontowana od czasow sowieckich) jest bardzo malo uczeszczana. Taka podroz moze trwac wiele dni. Decyduje sie wrocic do Bishkek. Briore poranna marszutke (350 Som) i wczesnym popoludniem jestem znow w stolicy. Tym razem ide do polecanego wczesniej Sakura Gesthouse gdzie za 350 Som mam lozko w warunkach przypominajacych bardziej Japonie niz Kirgistan (wlasciciel jest z Japonii). Od razu ide znow na miasto. Obserwuje...

Aug 29, 2012 - Bishkek - Karakol

Wtorek, 28 sierpnia - Bishkek, Karakol Wstaje juz o 6:30 rano i od razu kieruje sie na dworzec. Juz przed 8-ma jade marszutka do Karakol (300 Som). Droga najpierw czteropasmowa zamienia sie wkrotce w niezbyt zla dwopasmowke. Przejezdzamy przez przelecz aby dotrzec do brzegu jeziora Issyk Kol aby prawie objechac to jezioro dookola. Po okolo 7 godzinach wypelniony busik dociera na miejsce. Najpierw ide odnalezdz hostel - Teskey Guesthouse, polecany w przewodniku. Miejsce na uboczu od centrum ale czyste i schludne. Co najwazniejsze tylko 3...

Aug 27, 2012 - Warszawa - Bishkek

Niedziela, 26 sierpnia - Warszawa, Moskwa, Bishkek Wyjazd z Warszawy popoludniowym lotem do Moskwy. Tam prawie 3 godziny czekania i prawie 5 godzinny lot Aeroflot do Bishkek. Pelny samolot. Poniedzialek, 27 sierpnia - Bishkek Przylatuje przed 6 rano. Wlasnie w zeszlym tygodniu Kirgistan zniosl obowiazek wiz wiec nie potrzebuje stac w okienku wizowym i zaoszczedzam okolo $60. Jednakze teraz nie moge wjechac juz do Kazachstanu - okreg Almaty jak wczesniej planowalem. Musialbym miec wize kazachska. Czekam az zrobi sie widno i zaczna jezdzic...