Ka Pai Kiwis

Yay back on the road. Only a short ride today but it is good to be moving again. So just about 80km today, we are still in wait mode. Lots of these houses feature in this area. Makes a change from the dreary apartment blocks built by the Soviets. Lots of people fishing in this bay. We are on the lake shore of Issyk Kul, the weather is perfect so we are having a beach afternoon, sunbathing and swimming. The only thing spoiling it is the litter. Arrrhhh. Looks like the sea, smells like the sea but its a lake a salty one. Went for a short ride after the beach and came across another small village and this monument. Sharing the road and the view with the locals.

My swelling continues to subside, thank you for all of the get well soon messages. I am almost back to my devilishly handsome self.  This morning we cross the religious divide and visit a mosque which is close by. This is the dominant religion here but is not a part of the political system, at least I don’t think it is, and I don’t think most Kyrgzs are particularly devout Muslims. The mosque was very unusual to see, a largely wooden structure, constructed without the use of nails, but designed in a strikingly Chinese style. This is the Dungan sect of Islam, quite local and quite Chinese.  We are very close to China and of course we are still on the Silk Rd so I guess it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Unlike some if its neighbours Kyrgyzstan is not blessed with natural resources like oil and gas so it struggles a bit. There are opportunities for tourism which show signs of growth but it would take a major investment I think to make this a really viable indust...