Week 10 (Kyrgyzstan)

24/8

The morning started off with bad news: Marianne wants to go home. We tried to talk her out of it, but she seems to have made up her mind. It's too heavy and she feels too exhausted, so... as soon as we arrive in the capital she will book a ticket back to London. It saddens me deeply, coz she's such a fine person. On it went: rose at 6.15, after breakfast a drive to Kochkor, where we shopped. Further to a lake Songkol (3000 meters) where we will chill out for 2 days. BBQ, campfires, beers, guitars.. need i say more.

It was nice and noisy. One horse scared the hell out of me, when i took a pee and it Neied (How do you write that) 2 meters away from me (hadn't seen it).
Cold night followed, which kept me awake for an hour or so. Got a strange pain on my chest as well. Hope it's the smoke and/or the high altitude.


25/8

Slept in till 8. Relaxed breakfast. Updating blog. Feel all right. See what the day brings. Going for a long walk along the lake.
The walk was great. Met 3 other dutch who were trekking here. Going to the lake again this afternoon for a swim. Enerybody is relaxing now... chilling out for a day is so ok. Laterz.

And then there was storm and rain and a dramatic temperature drop. Went in my tent and slept for 1,5 hour.

It stayed cold. BBQ-ed in a coat, sat close to the campfire to stay a bit warm, Went to my sleepingbag at 9.30 and was cold all night long... brrr.


26/8

Rose at 6.45, breakfast, packed and on the way for 3 nights of hostel in Bishkek (capital of Kyrgystan), wher hopefully i can publish 3 weeks of blogupdates and say goodbye to a few of my fellow travelers.

On the way to Bishkek Will decided to visit the lake (where we will stay in about 4 days) almost 2 hours extra drive for dipping a toe in a lake... not a wise decision according to me, but ok... keep smiling.

Now lunch... what most of us already had... keep smiling. I just want a shower and a shave!!! Get me there!
Arrived in Bishkek round 18.00. Showered and had dinner in a (far too expensive) restaurant. It was a farewell dinner for the ones who will leave us (Marian, the family (Neal, Karen and Victoria) and Kate). As usual, we were ripped off and nobody (except me) cared about it. Oh well...


27/8

Slept well, but did not come to a blogupdate. Feel a bit grumpy. Don't know why. Strolled through Bishkek, but found not much of interest. Grrr, what's the matter with me?

Did another stroll later that afternoon. Feel better now. Had nice diner with Tony. Update my blog, shared a beer with the british and slept for more then 9 hours. yes.


28/8

Last blog update (week 9 is available now). Get something to eat now and then of to find the bazar of Bishkek. Laterz.

The bazar was bizarre. I think it's like 5 or 6 square KM's. Spend more than 3 hours there and I loved it. Really felt to be among the Kyrgystani. Had a burger and a coke there and then walked back,to spend some time at the central square (a bit like Istanbul's Ayasofia; a family place). Very cosy and relaxed place. May go there again tonight to make a few pictures. On ther way back I also managed to do my shoppings for the next few bush camps. Still have to get new after shave and deodorant. Will get that at the little shops under the street (where u cross the street that is). Laterz.

Had diner with Tony, ran into Will and Ally, so... more beers and no aftershave and stuff. Will be smelly for the rest of the trip...;-)

In the Hostel: said goodbye to Marianne, with guitar songs. Played guitar a little more with Will, went to bed late.


29/8

Rose 8.15. Bit of a hangover, no showers available (shit). Bought a quick breakfast (chicken triangles), Coffee, Now we are waiting till the truck is repaired (new wind screen).

11.30 we left. After 2 hours paused at the "FoodZone", where we are now. They have wifi, so... everybody is staring at their screens, as am I.

18.00 Arrived at lake Issyk where we bush camped. Muzzies left us alone after sunset. It became too cold.
Slept for almost 10 hours straight (except for the midnight pee).


30/8

Woke up at 7.15, great breakfast with pancakes and rasberry sauce. Delicious. On our way now for a short drive and a relaxing day near a river.
Did our shoppings (finally got my deodorant) in Karakol. Had a coffee there too.

On the way to the river, at the broken heart mountain,  we met 2 guys who were training eagles for hunting. Here is Dennis, holding one on his arm.

14.00 Arrived at the river and had a great afternoon of relaxing, napping, reading, playing guitar, eating, beers and camp fire. Slept well despite the cold. I kept my tent far away from the rest, to make sure i got a good rest. It worked out.