Tourgart Pass
Left Kashgar and headed up to the Tourgart Pass through the military zone .The customs check post on the Chinese side is about 120 kms from the border we were first there but the last to get through as the immigration told us to take rest until the required permits were verified and busloads of migrant chinese workers were processed .Two hours later ……..after a lot of rest we were on our way again with the sound warning that if our visas were not on the Chinese – Kyrgyzstan border I could not come back .I had visions of spending my life in a yurt in no mans land. However on the top of the pass a lone vehicle and driver was there to pick us up to take us to the Kyrgyzstan customs and immigration. As soon as we drew near the barbed wire compound the soldier threw his gun on his shoulder and departed for lunch……….another rest. Finally got through the immigration and customs which considering there were only two of us in the place took ages …by now we were way ahead of the buses.
Kyrgyzstan .The first days drive took us over high mountain passes, through vast snowfield and along highland grasslands .Nothing in sight but sheep and horsemen ,snow and ice …It seems that every half hour the environment changes .Unfortunately the shock absorbers on our vehicle collapsed on the way up and the roads are not sealed so a dusty noisy 200 kms or so and very slow
We are now at Issyl Kul a huge mountain lake reputed to be the second largest in Asia . Staying in a soviet style hotel owned in part by the presidents son Surrounded by snowy mountains .Alpine scenery very much like Switzerland except this is Kyrgyzstan and everything has a look of being run down and in disrepair
Tomorrow we head for Bishkek
