New post added at Home2Home - KyrgyzstanCrossing the border into Kyrgyzstan saw an immediate change in scenery. Huge snow capped mountains tower above gorgeous alpine grasslands, the snow melt ensuring a feast of different green hues for the eyes. The road is steep, but one is constantly rewarded with the most amazing views. The traffic disappears, and the only sign of human habitation is that of the nomads and their yurts on the vast open plain. They raise horses, which are all in exceptional condition due to the abundance of rich grasses. Watching the herds gallop freely under 6000m peaks makes me want to return and do a journey on horseback. A solid steed can be purchased for under $1000 and you can ride over the countryside all the way to Bishkek, the capital in the north, upon which you might even be able to sell your horse for a profit. We rode from the border to a tiny little town called Sary Tash. From there we climbed yet another couple passes over 3500m before Mohammed, the truck driver, offered us a lift to Osh 150km down the valley. Having never ridden in a massive truck, I was keen and off we went with the bikes in the back. I will need to get back to Sary Tash to continue the journey into Tajikistan via the famous Pamir Highway, the roof of the world. The plateau is at over 4000m and the passes rise to a staggering 5000m. It is good that I will get some practice climbing steep hills here in Kyrgyzstan. I will be getting transport to Bishkek as I need to get my Iranian, Uzbek, and Tajik visas there. We will then head to the Isikul Lake where we will get back on the bikes and make our way back to Sary Tash in the south. I dont really need to cycle this bit, but it is just too beautiful, and like I said, the mountain training will be in much need come the Pamirs. Upon entering the first little shop since China it was an emotional experience to see salami and cheese for sale. The Leatherman has never worked to frantically, cutting slices of meat and cheese as fast as humanly possible. My face being stuffed to full on the stuff I could easily have met my demise, not by any one of the many means that could beset the adventure cyclist, but by choking on dairy product. My mouth still waters just thinking about it. Delicious! The stars are just fantastic up at altitude, and we have been camping somewhere between 3 and 4000m. The quiet and sense of space is something Im relishing after China. The only downside is that my Russian is well, nonexistent. Ill be doing some swatting so hopefully will pick up enough to get by, but it really makes me appreciate the time in China and the many years of study to be able to speak Chinese. Heres to Central Asia and pastures new! Crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan saw an immediate change in scenery. Huge snow capped mountains tower above gorgeous alpine grasslands, the snow melt ensuring a feast of different green hues for the eyes. The road is steep, but one is constantly rewarded with the most amazing views. The traffic disappears, and the only sign of human habitation is that of the nomads and their yurts on the vast open plain. They raise horses, which are all in exceptional condition due to the abundance of rich grasses. Watching the herds gallop freely under 6000m peaks makes me want to return and do a journey on horseback. A solid steed can be purchased for under $1000 and you can ride over the countryside all the way to Bishkek, the capital in the north, upon which you might even be able to sell your horse for a profit. We rode from the border to a tiny little town called Sary Tash. From there we climbed yet another couple passes over 3500m before Mohammed, the truck driver, offered us a lift to Osh 150km down the valley. Having never ridden in a massive truck, I was keen and off we went with the bikes in the back. I will need to get back to Sary Tash to continue the journey into Tajikistan via the famous Pamir Highway, the roof of the world. The plateau is at over 4000m and the passes rise to a staggering 5000m. It is good that I will get some practice climbing steep hills here in Kyrgyzstan. I will be getting transport to Bishkek as I need to get my Iranian, Uzbek, and Tajik visas there. We will then head to the Isikul Lake where we will get back on the bikes and make our way back to Sary Tash in the south. I dont really need to cycle this bit, but it is just too beautiful, and like I said, the mountain training will be in much need come the Pamirs. Upon entering the first little shop since China it was an emotional experience to see salami and cheese for sale. The Leatherman has never worked to frantically, cutting slices of meat and cheese as fast as humanly possible. My face being stuffed to full on the stuff I could easily have met my demise, not by any one of the many means that could beset the adventure cyclist, but by choking on dairy product. My mouth still waters just thinking about it. Delicious! The stars are just fantastic up at altitude, and we have been camping somewhere between 3 and 4000m. The quiet and sense of space is something Im relishing after China. The only downside is that my Russian is well, nonexistent. Ill be doing some swatting so hopefully will pick up enough to get by, but it really makes me appreciate the time in China and the many years of study to be able to speak Chinese. Heres to Central Asia and pastures new!
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 03:50:01 +0000
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