Korgas-Korgas

Trip Start Mar 29, 2009

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of China Korgas, Xinjiang, China
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Funny old day today. It started in a very leisurely fashion with the time difference allowing us a sleep in and breakfast at the hotel. The border opens at 1030am, 830am Kazakh time and we had even more time as we abandoned breakfast when the staff explained that there would be no tea because the water was not hot yet. Nice hotel though and as you can see, we didn't need to redesign the WWW to get internet this time. Susie bailed straight away but I stayed on hoping for better but to no avail. Back to the self service tomorrow. Whilst waiting for all the approvals to come through, we took the truck down to a 'Garage' for a hoist so that I could take a well overdue look underneath. The back tank had developed a small leak from the breather, and there was a bit of movement in the back section of the exhaust. But no worries! All sorted and explained in the forthcoming blokes blog. Then it was waiting waiting waiting..... At last the call came to get our vehicle inspected ready for departure

Border Bazaar

. No problems there so it seemed that it was all on. We said our fond farewells to the lovely Helen and they opened the gates and through we went. S had a sense of foreboding but at first things went smoothly until our final clearance seemed to take forever. So we failed at the final hurdle and were turned back. Some problem with the paperwork.The soldiers were very helpful, courteous and interested in our adventure and we thought one of them wanted to buy the truck!! They gave us lots of valuable advice on Kazakhstan and appeared to be very sorry to turn us back. But not before we met a couple of convivial young French chaps (Susie would say spunky)! who were in the queue before us. They have been living in China and are heading home on a combination sidecar each. We agreed to meet them over the border for a glass of China's finest before setting off but we are sorry to have stood them up. So fellas, if you read this, please leave us a note with your blog address so we can meet up somewhere else. Most probably in Almaty. So we are back in the hotel and hoping for an on-time departure tomorrow.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Local Tuk Tuks	The Last Milestone	Korgas Avenue	Awaiting Our Fate
New Trucks For K,stan	Kindred Silk Road Bloggers	French Adventurers, Chinese Bikes

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Comments

importico on Jun 10, 2009 at 11:04AM

Beware of Borat in Kazakhstan!
Hi there

We are loving the travelogue. Those French chaps did look abit of alright. No wonder Dave wasn't keen for you to catch up with them later! All good here. caught up with Prusie on Sunday for girls chat - love her new place - very cosy. Annie settled in well now thank god - Bertie getting friendlier.
Anyway - good luck on yr 2nd attempt to get into Kazakhstan - & watch out for Borat like people there!
caio for now
Dorothea & David xxx

barbara-aaron on Jun 10, 2009 at 01:26PM

:D
Hi Susie & Dave!!Hopefully by now you will be in Khasikstan so I'd better learn to spell it properly!Paperwork sorted so you will be on your way.Just caught up with your last 5 blogs & can't rave enough about the photos-I feel like I've just had an adventure myself!!How about the Lake & the Yati's(that spellings no good either!)& the French dudes!Tee hee!Can't wait for the next installment and Susie you still manage to look like a movie star-Gorgeous!Sending lots of love,Barbara xxxxxxxxx

beecee on Jun 11, 2009 at 02:42AM

MMmmmmm
Hi Guys. Was it you Dave who wanted to meet zee French studs or Susie..?? Hope by now you have managed to cross the border. You will find it quite different without Helen. Also, Noel Leeming has a sale on razors at the moment.
All the best Bri 'n Di.

thetrip on Jun 11, 2009 at 06:27AM

Kazakhstan at last!
Hello Sue and Dave
The trip sounds amazing and the photos incredible. What a super adventure...as the Famous Five would say! Hope the weather warmer there than it's been here..am sure it is. Just about to have have a Black Russian to celebrate where you are!
All's well on the family front but counting the days till the two new grandchildren! Hope you caught up with the spunky French guys ....
Angela and Garry

nz2uk on Jun 13, 2009 at 02:54AM

Re: Beware of Borat in Kazakhstan!
That's great about Annie. Hope Prusie was able to sort out the blog. So looking forward seeing you in a couple of months!X

nz2uk on Jun 13, 2009 at 02:59AM

Re: Kazakhstan at last!
How exciting for you all waiting for the babies! Best wishes to the prospective parents from us.The weather is sooo hot, lovely though. Am off to feed Gazza now...chopped up nectarines. He lives under my seat - a wonder he hasn't been squashed yet! x

nz2uk on Jun 13, 2009 at 03:06AM

Re: MMmmmmm
Can't see those hunky French guy's for the dust.
Dave was cultivating the beard so that he could, ummm, blend in with the locals. But none of the locals were sporting a hairy face accept for two other tourists!
So yesterday, we found some razor blades.... We thoroughly enjoyed having Helen but enjoying a bit of independence now xx

nz2uk on Jun 13, 2009 at 03:14AM

Re: :D
Our last day in Almaty today and I spotted a swimwear shop yesterday. Might buy Dave a pair of Borat togs for a treat! It's so lovely here, a modern city and such friendly people. The girls,mostly Russian, all look gorgeous, dressed in the latest European fashions.Off to do some touristy things today then pack for a very early start tomorrow. Lots of love x