end of each day were impossible to
wipe off.
The fifth day of our adventure
started with the best riding yet,
over three, 3000m plus, passes and
through a number of river crossings.
The riding was a bit more challenging
than previously, but the ever-chang-
ing landscape just kept improving.
We were almost at overload when
over the rise of an emerald green hill
came lake Song Kol. Snow-capped
peaks stand all around the deep blue
mirror of the lake, nomadic locals
herding horses, sheep, goats, cattle
and donkeys on the sloping plain that
leads down to the lakes edge.
Some brave souls rode down to the
lake edge for a quick dip in the chilly
waters while others relaxed and took
in the most impressive vista.
A traditional dinner and glorious
sunset topped off another fantastic
day.
Our yurt accommodations were
luxuriously appointed, and the newly
finished hot showers and western
style toilets were most appreciated.
After sunset the temperature dropped
rapidly but fires were lit in the wood
heaters of each yurt and we were
soon cocooned in warmth and dozing
off.
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country,
TRAVERSE 57
apparently there is a point some-
where in the country that is the fur-
thest that you can get from a coast in
every direction, but I can’t verify that.
However, standing beside the sec-
ond highest alpine lake in the world
(after Lake Titicaca in Peru/ Bolivia)
you could be mistaken for thinking
that you are at the beach. Lake Issyk
Kol is very different to the high and
remote Song Kol, it has a beach holi-
day atmosphere about it with people
picnicking on the sand, swimsuit clad
teenagers gather in groups by the
shore and stalls selling bright inflat-
able water toys and ice-creams for the
children. We ride along the Northern