The road to Issyk-Kul started out pristine but quickly changed to be under construction at the south part and I ended up focusing more on the road instead of the beautiful scenery. It cant be help so the only way was to have more frequent stops to appreciate the nature. Weather was perfect, warm but not hot, cool but not freezing.
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| Southern Road to Issyk-Kul |
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| Southern Road to Issyk Kul |
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| Amazing Views on the way to Issyk Kul |
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| Issyk Kul Lake |
I wanted to see the Yuri Gagarin monument which makes no sense for why it was even there at the first place in Barskoon Valley.
It was just there and many theories of why the monument was there just makes it more mysterious. With bad roads all the way to Barskoon Valley off-shoot road, I decided maybe camping at the valley instead would be better instead of along Issyk-Kul Lake.
The distance was only 20km but the road condition worsen remarkably fast from construction gravel road to soil-gravel with a tinge of tarmac.
The distance was only 20km but the road condition worsen remarkably fast from construction gravel road to soil-gravel with a tinge of tarmac.
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| Barksoon Valley |
The Yuri Gagarin monument was like so, carved from a rock or maybe molded and cast, who knows but still beautiful. Barskoon Valley however was gorgeous but freezing cold even at 3pm in the afternoon. The wind-chill bite through all my riding gear layers and I was chilled to the bone.
So many places I was tempted to set camp in Barskoon Valley, parking the bike and pausing for a cigarette contemplating where to pitch tent and set up the chair to just laze back and see the mountains yet it was just too cold so I decided to head back out of the Valley to Issyk-Kul again.
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| Yuri Gagarin Monument at Barksoon Valley |
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| Barksoon Valley |
I ended up just outside of Barskoon Valley a little further up at the viewing point of Amarillo Azul. Lovely little curve peninsular that lets me look out onto the waters and a little dip from the road side that I had a windshield a maybe a little hiding spot from the vehicles.
That’s what I thought initially but while setting up camp, a familiar voice called out from the road.
HEY! THIS IS A NO CAMPING SPOT.
I turn around to see Team Luch rolling up with big smiles. It was good to see some familiar faces from the China Tour group. I thought I was the last slow poke in the group with everyone somewhere ahead of me in the Kyrgyzstan route but here they were rolling up from behind.
HEY! THIS IS A NO CAMPING SPOT.
I turn around to see Team Luch rolling up with big smiles. It was good to see some familiar faces from the China Tour group. I thought I was the last slow poke in the group with everyone somewhere ahead of me in the Kyrgyzstan route but here they were rolling up from behind.
We exchange some info for the road and route and while they tried to convince me to shift the camp-spot to the beach side with them, I was too lazy to move having already set up camp partially.
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| Camping at Issyk Kul Lake with a View |
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| Camping at Issyk Kul Lake - Kyrgyzstan |
They pushed off and a group of locals rolled up to the viewpoint spot for a break. So maybe camping at the viewpoint was not such a good idea but I had hope that once the sun goes down, less people would be traveling the road.
The locals were drinking Vodka and having some roasted chicken snacks. Eventually one of the locals engaged me into conversation.
I could not understand a word of Russian or Kyrgyz but knew the universal signs for snaps (Vodka Shots). Why not, I was rooted to camp here tonight anyway and no more riding.
After a few snaps, somehow we could communicate much more beyond the simple gestures. I am still amazed after so many months recalling back this moment.
We started with the basics, names, where from, riding route from Malaysia to Kyrgyzstan, their jobs and what they were doing to fully understanding that they thought I was crazy to be camping here alone.
We started with the basics, names, where from, riding route from Malaysia to Kyrgyzstan, their jobs and what they were doing to fully understanding that they thought I was crazy to be camping here alone.
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| Locals offering me Snaps on the road |
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| More Vodka in Kyrgyzstan |
After that point the Snaps was not working. I gave up and opened up google translator only to understand their profound warning for wild camping alone. There were bears and wolfs around the area.
I was crazy to camp alone in Kyrgyzstan. It was getting late and I was fairly deep into the snaps now so first night in Kyrgyzstan camping wondering if I would get to see a bear.
The boys bid me farewell continuing on their journey and I feeling the full effect of Vodka prepared dinner and enjoyed the sunset before going to bed nice and warm from the alchohol.
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| Sunset at Issyk Kul Lake |
Traveled on: June 2024
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