and it was good to see that the cur-
rent generation are keen to preserve
it all, the good and the bad, for future
Kygis to learn from and progress.
In Bishkek we ran into another
group of Compass Expeditions riders
who were half way through their epic
105-day motorcycle adventure from
London to Magadan, in far eastern
Siberia.
The two groups totalled 38 people
and took over a couple of adjacent
hotels. It was great to share stories
with like-minded travellers and hear
about the amazing, sometimes gru-
elling “Road of Bones” expedition.
It was a big night of celebration that
evening at a local German themed
beer garden.
Our Kyrgyzstan adventure was
drawing to a close, but we still had a
couple of stops left on our return to
Osh for the finale.
Over another pass at more than
3500m, we made our way through
Chychkan Canyon for an overnight
stay at another basic but beautifully
situated hotel literally hanging over a
glacial melt river this time and then
into the Uzbek populated part of the
country. Staying at an Uzbek family
homestay gave us another insight
into the varied cultures that make up
modern Kyrgyzstan. A tour of the lo-
cal area took us to the busy local mar-
ket, a waterfall that was alive with a
carnival atmosphere and the world’s
largest and ancient walnut grove.
Our groups final evening back
in the city of Osh was marked with
a feast of local flavours, excellent
vodka and for some, partaking in the
traditional shisha, with a non-tobac-
co apple flavoured smoke that added
nicely to atmosphere.
We reminisced and made plans to
meet each other again in far flung
parts of the world. It is safe to say
that the experiences that we shared
riding around this somewhat forgot-
ten corner of Central Asia has formed
friendships that will last the rest of
our lives.
TRAVERSE 62