We woke to a sparkling morning. Deep blue skies and at least 2 inches of snow.
It was the first lazy morning we have had as the decision had been taken last night that the planned walk was potentially too risky and that we would see if we could do an easier walk instead. Because the sun was shining the snow was melting and water was pouring off the roofs.
The decision was that we would do a 2 hour local walk, return to the guest house for lunch and then head off to Karakol.
The walk took us through the village and as none of the roads are made up they were awash with mud and water. The village did look poor with many derelict buildings and those that were lived in often having run down outhouses for livestock and areas for growing vegetables. However there are signs that things may be improving with places like our guest house opening and others too. We met the 86year old mother of the husband who Co-owns the guest house with his wife and she thanked us for coming all the way from the UK and USA to visit Kyrgyzstan.
The walk was beautiful. Again the wild flowers in the meadows were a delight. Some the same as 2 days ago, others totally different. It was impossible to take a photo that could encompass it all or even do justice to it. For that you need to come and visit yourself! And of course the backdrop to it all was the magnificent snow capped mountains. There is nothing for me that is quite as humbling as the might and majesty of the natural world and this has it in spades!
Back to the guest house for lunch of Bortsch (beetroot soup) and then a noodle dish. Both were so tasty. We have not been disappointed with the food that has been put in front of us! And still the pots of weak black tea. We seem to be drinking gallons of it.
Back onto the minibus and off to Karakol. Getting out of the village on the mud track was interesting but Micha is a good driver and looks after his minibus as well as us! The mud track became a gravel road and it was 30 minutes before we reached the smooth surface of tarmac.
Once in Karakol we stopped to change some money, Kyrgistani Som and also take a look in a local craft shop. I resisted, for now!
As we had some time we went out to see the museum of the Russian explorer Przhevalsky who died in Karakol whilst on one of his expeditions. He was recognised by both the Russian and British geographic societies for his work and there were many items to see. This was also situated at the end of Lake Issyk Kul, one of the largest inland lakes in the world.
It was then onto our hotel for the next 3 nights and a chance to make ourselves a little more at home before being taken to the home of a Uiger family for a traditional meal. It was delicious. 4 salads, soup, and a noodle dish, followed by a type of shortcake with blackcurrant compote. We are being well fed.
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