Day 85. Barskoon

Just a little side note to regular readers, it seems that the big bike rule for entering Iran is finally lifted. Absolutely no use to us of course just random information.

A couple of photos taken from the bike this morning.

The cemeteries here are very grand, with large memorials.

Today we visited a couple of local scenic attractions.

The first was into the Barskoon valley to check out a waterfall or two.

It was quite chilly

with lots of cloud hanging around.

The waterfalls were nice enough but the valley itself was just spectacular, we decided to press on past the waterfalls and up and up we climbed, the road became narrow and it was quite wet and became muddy and slippery.

If you look carefully you can see the roads and the trucks going up it. It just went on going up and up.

In the end we turned around but not before ascending to about 3500 metres, I thought the bike was wheezing a bit.

The road coming down - the good bit!

 Also the temperature hit 8 degrees and I only had a t shirt on under my jacket.

After exiting the valley we found ourselves back on the main road beside the lake. The lake is very pretty and when it is seen against the mountains it really is a picture.

The southern route along lake Issyk Kul has a much more laid back feel to it compared to the north side, not so many hotels, mainly guesthouses like the one we are in now. It is basic, spotlessly clean but comfortable. The food is home cooked tasty local dishes and like most of them, family run with a homely feel.

It even has its own yurt. Out back is the working farm.

The second attraction we visited is called Fairytale canyon which is a weather sculpted area of soft red rock.
Quite spectacular but we realized how lucky we were to have experienced the very remote Charyn canyon area in  Kazakhstan, with no one else around.

This canyon is close to the main road and lots of people can easily share its beauty.