Today it’s another bus day as we say farewell to Kazakhstan and hello Kyrgyzstan. It was cold and dull as we left and very soon after it started raining. As we got higher so the rain worsened and there was nothing to see.
We drove for probably 90 minutes and then stopped at a beauty point where there were loos. Eastern style but reasonably clean, which they should be when you have to pay 100tenge (about 60p) for the privilege of using them! The rain had stopped by this time but the wind was strong and the temperature had plummeted. Someone said it was only 9degrees. 🥶
As After this brief break it was back in the bus and onto the village of Kegen where we bought some snacks whilst our guide bought the items for today’s picnic. It’s a shame we didn’t have the opportunity to wander around this little town as there were loads of tiny shops selling just about anything you needed!
Then it was onto the border crossing by which time it was raining again 🤦♀️ Our passports were inspected by a border guard who came onto the minibus. Then we all had to get off with all our luggage and walk this over to a little hut where it was all scanned. After that it was the border post where we got into a somewhat disorderly queue as we all tried, but some of us failed, to get under the shelter out of the rain! Despite having jackets and waterproofs on it was bitterly cold and the situation deteriorated when we were told the internet had gone down😱There was nowhere to shelter indoors and our minibus and driver had already crossed and were waiting for us. Fortunately this hiatus didn’t last too long and it was back up and running. Passports presented, checked and stamped and photo taken we then walked to the actual barrier where the passport was checked again. Then 100metre walk into Kyrgyzstan where we had to stand at a little hut with even less shelter whilst our passports were checked and stamped again and another photo taken. Fortunately at this second border check our driver was able to take our suitcases so that they were all loaded by the time all of us were through. We were all really cold and also rather damp!
We had been warned that the road once we were in Kyrgyzstan was not made up. They are still building it! So it was basically a solid track of compressed hardcore, with some parts that had been completed. With the wet weather a lot of mud was thrown up so that by the time we were able to stop for lunch we couldn’t see out of the side windows of the minibus!
We were supposed to stop at a shrine to old soldiers but as the weather still hadn’t improved we drove on. Eventually the rain stopped, the sun came out and we pulled off the road onto a track that lead to a meadow. Bread, cheese, local sausage, tinned fish, salad vegetables, followed by fruit and cake made for a tasty meal. All washed down with a cup of tea as Misha has a camping stove in the back of the minibus on which he can boil a kettle. He also walked down to the local stream and got some water to wash the minibus windows, and clean them up with a wash leather. That’s good service!
As we crossed into Kyrgyzstan the clock went forward an hour so we were actually eating lunch at 3pm. And after lunch it wasn’t long before we were on a road that wasn’t under construction!
As the weather was poor we took the long route to Jyrgalan to see a little bit more of this huge country. Not as big as Kazakhstan but still large! And mostly mountainous.
We arrived there soon after 6pm and it was snowing! Not what anyone expected!! Although when you are at 2,300m (7,500ft) then you should probably expect anything. It was so cold!!
Apparently Jyrgalan was hardly a village at all until Soviet times when it rapidly expanded as a mining village. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 90’s the mining industry collapsed, many Russians went home, and the village became a bit of a ghost town. Even some of the locals left as there was nothing for them here. However they are now redeveloping as a tourist destination particularly for those wishing to hike the trails.
Having been told that this guest house was basic with shared bathrooms, shared rooms for single people, and no WiFi we were delighted to find we had the opposite. Yes, the rooms are basic but they are clean, comfortable and more importantly tonight, warm!
We then had over an hour just to chill, which is the first time that’s happened on this tour. ( I can’t call it a holiday as that suggests too much chill time😂)
Dinner was at 8 and again a lovely simple meal. A plate of salad, followed by soup and then local trout with potatoes. The second night running we have had potatoes which we have been happy to see.
The surprise addition to dinner was a welcome to Kyrgyzstan bottle of vodka from Janybek, who is a Kyrgis. Out came the shot glasses and we were all given one, a toast was made and they were downed in one, Russian style! There was a second later in the meal, then a third!! Now that’s never happened to us on an HF holiday before!!
At least I fell asleep more quickly!
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