Ka Pai Kiwis

Set off for Bishkek not really looking forward to the roadworks etc. I’m not sure if we were hallucinating or just having a bad day on the way to Almaty the other day but the road back to Biskek  today (reverse route) was just fine We caught up with Diana and Dick on the road and shared the ride. On the way we stopped for a cold drink. There was a van load of people going to Issyk Kul lake for a weekend break. One of the girls spoke very good English and it was her birthday. Lots of selfies with the bike. Diana gave her a 'kiwi' pin to keep. She was very overwhelmed. Casualty of the day was my jandals, lost overboard, only held on by a bunjee. So that makes 3 caps, 1 tee shirt, 1 pair of togs and now the jandals. I suspect the jandals will be the hardest to replace. Not too many billabong shops in Bishkek.  We got to the border and joined the queue of cars. It looked like there was going to be a bit if a wait so it was decided Robyn and Diana would joi...

Our breakfast this morning was delivered to our room on a tray. It has been a lovely place to stay. And what an absolutely delightful morning to follow. Up onto a desert like plateau with herds of horses, camels and cattle. The mountains in the distance made a wonderful backdrop and the air was cool (ish). We just took our time, waving to the locals and taking photographs. Looked at us as if we were an intrusion .... and then up and away he gracefully flew. We stopped in fairly industrial town for refreshments at a little shop directly opposite what was once an old soviet apartment complex, it was all bricked up and even the bricks are now falling out. Why someone hasn't just blown it up is beyond me. The last 160km were back onto a motorway through the flat lands. Lots of crops and haymaking going on. We rode through a little town called Kapchagay which is beside a lovely lake, very popular with holiday makers with nice parks and children...