Near Ghez

We finally left Kashgar!

Kashgar

Today is the last day in Kashgar. Tomorrow morning we head South in the direction of the border with Pakistan.

Kashgar

As much as I was enjoying Kashgar I probably could have left today.

Kashgar

Yet another rest day.

Kashgar

The main event was the Sunday market.

Kashgar

Kashgar is a cool city to spend some time.

Kashgar

Today was supposed to be a continuation to near completion of the cycling to Kashgar. Things turned out a little differently.

Near Ulugqart

Having failed to get across the border yesterday afternoon we headed there when it opened in the morning.

Near Irkeshtam Pass

The heavy dew of the evening had frozen to my tent. The washing I'd hung on my bike was stiff with frost. It was the first freezing night since March!

Near Sary Tash

Today we may have cycled for a short distance but we went a long way.

Osh

Today was not supposed to be a rest day but I felt a cold coming on & Nick was up most of the night using the free Internet in his room.

Osh

After the last couple of days of cheating by hitchhiking today was full on cycling.

Jalalabad

After such a demoralising day as the one before we needed something nice.

Kazarman

The top of the pass was very close & was reached in 30 minutes.

Near Kok-Jar

The headwind of the previous day hadn't gone away though was less strong.

Near Ak-Tal

We had quite a relaxing start.

Naryn

I realised that my camping spot was sub-optimal. All through the evening & night trucks past by. The road surface by where I camped (but better elsewhere) was quite bad & the trucks made an awful clattering sound & shook the ground as they went across it.

Near Kochkor

The morning didn't start terribly well.

Bishkek

Even the morning was not sacred to the bloody mosquitos. I'm sure that before I flew to Geneva in late July they at least left us this time to ourselves. Not anymore, it must be high summer I guess.

Near Kok-Moynok Bir

Jet lag had me sleep past sunrise & eventually be woken by the heating up of the tent when the Sun hit it. It wasn't until 10am that I got going. Nevertheless it was a quick day with a tailwind throughout.

Near Kant

I think the day started at 10,000m over Uzbek airspace.

Geneva & Istanbul

For the 3rd time in 6 months I find myself back in Istanbul. How is it that I find myself here? A reasonable question since last I wrote I was in on a cycling tour of Central Asia with latest etape ending in Bishkek.