Blogs from Kyrgyzstan, Asia - page 32

Magnificent scenery is what awaits us at Djety Oguz, the valleys are spectacular, we crossed many log bridges and have to stop and get off and try to take away sharp rocks out of Gisele's way, this so far is the most magnificent place I have been on Kyrgyzstan. We looked for an ideal camp site and pitched our tents. The cook groups started preparing meals, we had a gorgeous steak meal with potatoes, thanks to Bev, Angus and Kit, while me and Geoff decided to hike some hill directly in front of our camp across a river, we have to go around and cross a bridge 1 km from campsite as it is too dangerous to wade and cross it, the currents are pretty strong and besides the water is freezing. The view from ... read more

ALA BEL PASS at approx. 3184 meters, i was expecting to get sick due to altitude but was surprised to find out I was fine, I hope this bode well for me as we get higher in altitude by the time we cross China via Torugart Pass which is much higher. We camped in a valley surrounded by high mountains next to a river I believe it is the Sausamyr river, Clive and Tommie our guide decided to run up the mountain, I wanted to join them but decided to just go up the road for a run as I am worried of the altitude, we are camped at 2000 plus meters. I was exhausted for only a 45 minute run but felt good as I don't get much exercise in this trip. I got ... read more

We have spent the last 3 weeks loving Kyrgyzstan. We are now back in Osh, where we wrote the last blog, after a trip covering some of the most beautiful spots in this country. Osh is the southern capital and is heavily influenced by the large Uzbek population who live here. Ramadan has been an interesting time to be here, with the Mosques busy and people observing the fasting. Kyrgyzstan attracts a small but growing number of travellers, and we soon hooked up with a few like-minded people to explore. Our first stop was the appropriately named Arslanbob (see below). This small Uzbek village in the heart of the Fergana Valley, was 3 eventful bus journeys away from Osh, passing through Jalalabad, and Bazaar Korgan. One of the bus conductors regailed us with stories of his ... read more

Where the hell is Kyrgyzstan? “Where the hell is Kyrgyzstan?” That’s what a mate asked me in the travel literature section of Borders last year. The guy who asked me this is a well-informed, well-read Joint Honours graduate (for the Strathclyde-grads contingent, the guy was Michael Collins). He was by no means the only person who gave me a blank look when I said I’d be travelling through Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is the MAN Kyrgyzstan is a relatively small, landlocked former Soviet republic in Central Asia. It has the population of Scotland. It’s also an intriguing mix of peoples, languages and ideas. Our seemingly endless car journeys here have shown that this is a country of astounding natural beauty. Most of the local people we’ve met in Kyrgyzstan (excluding shared-car ‘taxi’ drivers, who are subhuman, money-grabbing scum!) ... read more

After a stupendous couple of weeks in the more remote regions of what is by any standards a pretty remote country, Kyrgyzstan, we're now back in the southern capital of Osh getting ready to cross into China via the Irkeshtam pass. When I say getting ready all I really mean is finishing this asap so we can get some sleep b4 the taxi arrives at 2 tomorrow morning. A tad expensive though as we couldn't find anyone to share costs with. Anyone fancy a trip to China tomorrow? Just turn up at the Taj Mahal hotel. The Kyrghz border closing at 11am on a Friday explains the ungodly hour of departure, that and the fact that the 270 odd km trip will take about 8 hours. If we can keep our eyes open though we should ... read more