Issyk-Kul, Kyrgystan

These days in Kyrgystan have been the best of the whole trip. The scenery is gorgeous, and we've had some amazing experiences.

Here we saw a demonstration of the skills of the eagle hunters. With the backdrop of the Tian Shan Mountains, it was spectacular. 

Holding this eagle was a peak experience for me.

From there we drove to Kyzyl-Tuu village, which is the centre of yurtmaking in Kyrgystan. We watched how the willow branches are stripped, steamed and bent to make the roof supports. Then we helped put a yurt together. It is such a beautiful structure - I was tempted to order one and have it shipped home as extra accommodation at the cottage. A 4 metre diameter felt yurt would cost about US$3500, plus a similar cost to have it shipped. I realize it would not be practical for conditions at home. No windows, and possibly a great attraction to critters. 

By the way, the lovely design at the top of the yurt is what is on the flag of Kyrgystan. 

Last night we slept at Tamga Yurt Lodge, a yurt camp for tourists at the edge of Lake Izzyk-Kul. We had real beds and a heater. I slept exceptionally well in those beautiful surroundings. 

 I found this beautiful selection of stones on the shore.

Sunset over the lake.

After dinner in a bigger yurt, a local family came to entertain us with traditional music. 

We ended off by dancing with the young girl. 

Sunrise this morning. 

Further on we went to "Red Rocks".

That little white dot is a yurt.

Up at the top I had a delicious cappuccino at "Coffee Peak". 

We had lunch today with a Dungan family. The Dungans were Muslim Chinese who fled from China over a hundred years ago. 

This is grandma with her youngest grandson. 

Grandma gave me a memento, which will soon be added to my plate display.

Now we are staying overnight in Karakol, which has this old Russian Orthodox church. 

Somehow we also fitted in a needle felting workshop. Most people made sheep, but I branched out to make a dragon. It isn't finished yet, and not photo worthy. 

Only two days left!

On Top of the World

We are now in Naryn and the scenery is spectacular. Here are a bunch of photos from today's outing.

The only camels we've seen in the semi-wild.

This rock formation reminds me of the trolls in Icelandic folklore. 

At this point we're only about 15km from the border with China. Their "contributions" are quite evident here.

Lots of horses in this area.

Our first yak sightings.

A dapper gentleman in his traditional hat.

Religion is not very important in this area - which was formerly nomadic. There is one mosque in the town of Naryn.

University of Central Asia, sponsored by the Aga Khan. About 700 students graduate per year. The programs offered are IT, Communications and Marketing.

A Chinese project. Tian Shan means "Celestial Sky:

Our drive here yesterday was full of wonderful things. I had asked our tour guide if there is a version if buzkashi here, and he secretly arranged for a group of local men to demonstrate their skills. I wish I knew how to post video.

These hilarious signs were at our lunch stop.

We watched a demonstration of shyrdak, a method for making felted carpets/ wallhangings for inside a yurt. This was one of the main things I wanted to learn while I was here. I'm ready to give it a try when I get home. 

I fell in love with this puppy. I even dreamt about it last night. 

This is a very ugly fake yurt encampment being created by a travel company. 

We went in this building which was part of a caravanserai on the Silk Road. It was cold in there, so I stood in the only patch of sunlight. My friend who took the photo said it looks like "The Rapture". 

Tomorrow we are leaving for Lake Ysyk Kul, where we are going to help assemble a yurt. We are going to sleep in yurts tomorrow night. I hope they are real yurts, and not ugly ones like we saw today.