A different Kyrgyzstan

The Karkara border crossing - a simple affair The Karkara border crossing - a simple affair
Meltwater rivers in the Karkara valley Meltwater rivers in the Karkara valley
Our friendly midnight visitor Our friendly midnight visitor
Blossom and crops by Issyk Kol Blossom and crops by Issyk Kol
The central Tien Shan, south of Issyk Kol The central Tien Shan, south of Issyk Kol
Patiently waiting for the bus, nr Chalpon Ata Patiently waiting for the bus, nr Chalpon Ata
Grabbing some lunch Grabbing some lunch
Still running - a beloved Lada Still running - a beloved Lada
Crop sowing near Issyk Kol Crop sowing near Issyk Kol
The beach - although no Russian babes at this time of year... The beach - although no Russian babes at this time of year...
Kyrgyzstan's ever-changing weather Kyrgyzstan's ever-changing weather
Still, you're never far from a Soviet reminder Still, you're never far from a Soviet reminder
Tributes and memorials outside the battered presidential palace, Bishkek Tributes and memorials outside the battered presidential palace, Bishkek
Where the gates were forced Where the gates were forced
The government snipers and the local mob were both heavily armed The government snipers and the local mob were both heavily armed
Quietly reading the memorials Quietly reading the memorials
It's hard to imagine this happened only a month ago It's hard to imagine this happened only a month ago
The victims - some incredibly young The victims - some incredibly young
These won't be repaired for a while These won't be repaired for a while
The destruction wasn't just limited to the palace... The destruction wasn't just limited to the palace...
...another nearby government building ...another nearby government building
But, life is back to normal in Bishkek... But, life is back to normal in Bishkek...
...the militzia were back on duty almost immediately ...the militzia were back on duty almost immediately
Local engineers, fixing the telephone lines (really!) Local engineers, fixing the telephone lines (really!)
Looking down from the Too-Ashuu pass, Bishkek-Osh highway Looking down from the Too-Ashuu pass, Bishkek-Osh highway
And driving up the other side And driving up the other side
Back in the land of bees... Back in the land of bees...
...and plentiful fresh honey ...and plentiful fresh honey
Descending towards Lake Toktogul Descending towards Lake Toktogul
The villages are a lot greener than last time we passed through The villages are a lot greener than last time we passed through
One of the first yurts out on the summer pastures One of the first yurts out on the summer pastures
The salt mountains beyond Lake Toktogul The salt mountains beyond Lake Toktogul
Another night, another incredibly hospitable Kyrgyz family Another night, another incredibly hospitable Kyrgyz family
The lake's clay bed: looks dry, it isn't... The lake's clay bed: looks dry, it isn't...
Sunset over Lake Toktogul Sunset over Lake Toktogul
Our fishing methods here are vastly inferior to the locals Our fishing methods here are vastly inferior to the locals
Waiting for breakfast - fresh yoghurt and plov Waiting for breakfast - fresh yoghurt and plov
Reflections off the Naryn river Reflections off the Naryn river
A well stocked vegetable bazaar outside Karakul A well stocked vegetable bazaar outside Karakul
Spring flowers in the Ferghana valley Spring flowers in the Ferghana valley
Amidst the walnut groves and glacial rivers at Arslanbob... Amidst the walnut groves and glacial rivers at Arslanbob...
...home to the world's largest walnut forest ...home to the world's largest walnut forest
Uzbek children in Arslanbob - such different features... Uzbek children in Arslanbob - such different features...
...we're only 40km from the Uzbek border, we might as well be there ...we're only 40km from the Uzbek border, we might as well be there
Poplar groves outside Arslanbob Poplar groves outside Arslanbob
Traffic on a village side street Traffic on a village side street
An indefatigable Lada 4x4 An indefatigable Lada 4x4
With another impromptu host, this time a kindly Uzbek lady With another impromptu host, this time a kindly Uzbek lady
I'm sure she looks Russian... I'm sure she looks Russian...
Charlie's eaten too much recently Charlie's eaten too much recently
Local in the main square, Arslanbob Local in the main square, Arslanbob
Party political candidate? Not at the moment Party political candidate? Not at the moment
Not sure if these are cultivated, but the Fergana Valley is full of them Not sure if these are cultivated, but the Fergana Valley is full of them
Circling over the mountain wastes, Sary-Tash Circling over the mountain wastes, Sary-Tash
Ominous weather over the Pamirs, where we're heading tomorrow... Ominous weather over the Pamirs, where we're heading tomorrow...

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