Almost losing my Passport on the way to Song Kul

The final split came and I said my goodbyes to Chye & May heading for Song Kul. The whole gang from China tour has split up now in various parts of Kyrgyzstan and we were the last to leave Naryn. 

I was headed to Song Kul today while Chye & May would proceed on to Issyk Kul. 

The roads in Kyrgyzstan was a surprise with good tarmac and less traffic making the ride so pleasant while just admiring the simple rolling hills landscape filled with sheep's, horses and cows. At one point while cruising leisurely, a car pulled up next to me and waved me to slow down and pull over to the side of the road.

Riding towards Song Kul from Naryn

Riding towards Song Kul from Naryn 

I thought it was just a friendly local trying to get to know me at first so I just pulled over to see what was going on. The car driver could speak a bit of English and the first thing he asked me was if I had dropped a box. 

I looked back at Bragge and realized that my top box was missing, somehow fallen off the rack without me even realizing it.

Motorbike papers was inside, Passport, wallet, credit cards, ATM cards and almost everything important was inside. Only my phone was in my pocket so that was at least one relief. 

Luck of the Stars - Lost and Found my Top Box without even knowing

How far behind was the box I asked and he said about 20km. Shit. I thanked the guy and was quickly trying to turn around Bragge to go find the box but he stopped me and asked me to wait.

Opening his car trunk, I could see my box safely tucked inside.

Is this yours ?

YES, and I had the key to prove it too.

Be-careful and Welcome to Kyrgyzstan.

I was so fortunate for the box had some really important documents and he could have kept the box instead of chasing me down. Apparently he saw the box falling off my bike, picked it up and chase after me. The Top Box was in one piece with barely any damage and still locked.

I will never know how the box came loose in the first place till it could fall off the bracket but that was the beginning of my problems in Central Asia. 

Multiple times after that the box catch to the bracket would come unlock while riding and after some additional safety cable tie which would still break in intense dirt road riding.

Wild Horses in Kyrgyzstan

Riding to Song Kul 

Riding to Song Kul

Kyrgyzstan people was proving one of the most friendliest I have ever met during travels. I lashed back the box and continued on towards Song-Kul going through a little off-road and a minor mountain pass where there was a giant 4m high glacier wall just hanging on the side of the road. 

Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at 3447m elevation and the scenery in Song Kul was beautiful beyond words.

Traveled on: June 2024