Celestial Mountains Guest House Bishkek

... at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, and got out my Russian phrasebook. 'Palatka', yes, that's the word for tent. As I was about to cross over to see whether I could pitch behind, out of the long grass came this figure of a shepherd. I asked him whether I could sleep behind the stop, and the answer was no - I could sleep at his place and his wife would cook me supper. Not that he'd checked this with his wife.... <br><br>Quite a bizarre journey to ...

... 90 or 100kph. I revert to being the slowest vehicle on the road.<br><br>Then there is the remaining 158ks to Bishkek which mostly seems to be ribbon development with speed limits of either 50kph or 60kph. It gos on for ever.<br><br>I finally get to Bishkek and miracle of miracles get to a homestay that has been recommended. I get the last bed. Six of us share the room but it is clean and Patrick, my new German friend, tells me it is quite upmarket compared to what lies ahead in Tajikstan!

... the dogs. Idiots that they are, their life appears to be spent waiting for the lone cyclist to come along, only to give chase. As such, the carrier on the front of my bike, formerly housing the camera, has undergone extensive re-branding and is now a Canine Projectile Receptacle. The main cargo of the device is rocks. Should doggins come too close and be a bit of a pain, they get a faceful of stones. Apologies to any animal welfare lovers, but tough. <br><br>I've missed the ...

... even offered to buy it from me (I naturally refused).<br><br>Since my last time in Bishkek, I have been to mountain lakes with seaguls, a family reunion in a yurt, hiking, hitch hiking, eagle hunting (well, I saw a demonstration), sunburning, swimming, mass hat buying and prbably a lot of other things too. <br><br>Frankly I can't be bothered to write about it all though, and as I'm now back (writing for the ...

... unacknowledged) was the Community Based Tourism (CBT) office. The organisation focuses on putting tourists in touch with a traditional Kyrgyzstan experience, and delivers an important additional income for local families; who offer homestays, horseriding and trekking guide services. It was here we met two enthusiastic American lads, planning their trip to include as many "bad-ass" traditional Kyrgyz events as they could fit into their 5 day holiday ...

... Somehow Ben persuaded Fi to take advantage of the local talent and to wander off for a private dance/ show with her own local boy, a chair and a secret room. <br>She says it was very tame. I am sure she was right. <br><br>We said goodbye in the morning to some very good friends. Brian and Hele from Denmark were fabulous to travel with. Ben our party boy and the ever capable Dave from Tasmania were great and ...

... techniques and aerology basics are going to be executed in order to popularization of paragliding for everyone who desire to join this extremely fine and enthralling kind of sports. Very important outcome of the festival is creation of information base according to reports, composed by festival participants after gaining meteorological and aerological information during ascents to close placed summits of Zaalay ridge and identification possibilities ...

... 4185m) and further descent to Kodjo-Kelen village (3400m). 18km, 5h, + 580m, - 800m Transfer to Osh (1262m). Accommodation at hotel. 250km, 7h, -2100m.<br>Day 07 Transfer Osh (1262m) &#8211; Uzgarish village (1300m). Overnight at national Kyrgyz house. 300km, 8h, +50m.<br>Day 08 Trekking: passage from Uzgarish village (1300m) up along Laily-Mazar river and further up along Ak-Mechet river to the place of confluence of two rivers ...

... free time for shopping souvenirs.<br>Day 20 Day at leisure.<br>Day 21 Depart from Bishkek.<br><br>The cost of the tour: 1200 EURO / person.<br><br>* Note: The flexible system of discounts is specified for the groups!!!<br><br>The cost includes:<br>&#8226; Arranging necessary documents: registration in immigration policy and border permit;<br>&#8226; Meeting / transfer from / to airport of Bishkek and Almaty;<br>&#8226 ...

... in almost every sight we saw.<br><br>We were amazed by the expensive cars in Bishkek. Many, if not most were Mercedes, BMWs or Audis, with a splattering of Toyota Land cruisers and Forresters. We wondered how a country of just 5 million people could afford cars like this. Vita later explained that there is a huge market in Kyrgyzstan for overseas second hand vehicles and that in fact these cars were purchased very cheaply by local people. It ...