UZBEKISTAN SEPT 17 2015

Sept 17, 2015

It was a good 6 hrs of sleep before my time clock starting messing with me. Also my roommate awakened me as he was on his iPad at 4am.

When I did get up and decided to open my iPad, I realized how sleepy I was. My sentences made absolutely no sense. Oh well.

I decided to pack my backpack for the lake trip instead of the big pack. The would keep it at the hotel for our return the next day. I cleaned up and spent some time outlining the previous day's events. It had been a wonderful day and the review was inspiring,

Today, there was a better breakfast. I had yoghurt, eggs, cereal, a bit of cake and apple juice, better than yesterday.

Off we go. Our first stop was the Osh Bazaar. I had requested that we visit a place where we could buy locally made goods. This was a great idea not only for the treasures found but for the experience of interacting with the locals. I bought a traditional Kyrgyz hat (200 soms) and two clay musical instruments. (100 soms each) One was a yurt and one was a mountain goat, for Scott. At one vendor where the man was making some amazing crafted items, I looked at a whip made of ox bone and camel tale but he wanted 7000 soms. I bought a silver cuff (900 soms) that he had carved, what a find, this was.

Treasure in hand, we returned to the van and headed east out of Bishkek. The traffic was very heavy but soon we escaped to the valley and in the direction of Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world.

An hour east, we stopped at the ancient tower, Burana, all that is left from the city of Balasagyn.

The tower was made at a time of Muslim occupation but Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane both wreaked havoc in this spot. It was two rivers nearby and was a trading point on the Silk Road.

Burana Tower, a large minaret is all that is left of the ancient city of Balasagun, in the Chin Valley, near Tokmok. It was established by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century and in 148 ft high.

The tower was originally 45 m (148 ft) high. However, over the centuries a number of earthquakes caused significant damage to the structure. The last major earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the top half of the tower, reducing it to its current height of 25 m (82 ft).In the early 1900s, Russian immigrants to the area used some of the bricks from the tower for new building projects.

A legend connected with the tower says that a witch warned a local king that his newly-born daughter would die once she reached the age of eighteen. To protect her, he built a tall tower where he sequestered his daughter. No one entered the tower, except the daughter's servant who brought her food. The daughter grew up alone and became a beautiful young lady. One day, however, a poisonous spider was hiding in the food brought by the servant. The spider bit the girl, and she died in the tower, at the age of eighteen.

We were able to climb the tower for a sweeping view across the valley to the Tien Shan's. The climb was challenging climb as it was barely wider than my body, no light at all, and stairs with a rise and run that make Dutch stairs a breeze, I used my phones flashlight to made the climb a bit easier. The return would be made by climbing down backwards...it was the only way.

There was a cemetery of petroglyphs carved with ancient Mongul faces and others with Arabic writings. The faces were fantastic..very whimsical, character like.

There a yurt selling local crafts where I bought a rock with a hand carved tower with goats playing (400 soms).

The museum showed photos of the condition that the tower was found and periods of restoration, also items found during excavation of the adjoining ancient palace. No photos...was yelled at me. What's new?!

After absorbing as much of the view and thoughts of potential scenarios of times long past, it was time to move on.

Continuing to head west, we drove an hour and stopped for lunch (3pm). I found only potatoes, rice, and bulgar to eat but on the bright side, Coke Zero! Oh, I did score M&Ms for dessert.

Another hour away, I started seeing water of the blue and bright green at the shore line. We had reached the west end of Lake Issyk Kul. It's the second largest highest il lake in the world at 1600 meters - 5249 feet). With Lake Titicaca being the highest

It took another hour to reach our point on the lake. In between, the landscapes care quite barren...scrub the water. Now and then a cemetery that had markers that looked like ancient monuments. I would have love to would have loved to stop, maybe we can. I'll ask the guide.

We also saw Manu wild horses, sheep being herded along side the road, and an actual, mountain goat, billy goat. There chickens and cows galore...must not forget them.

Finally we turned off the main road and drove down a path that lead to a nice brick with white stone building. We stopped and Asim brought 5 sets, a pair for michael and me, Fernando and Fatima, Tess and Judy. one for the couple from Utah, and one for Jose and Elena...not going to work as they had paid for singles,

That sorted out we all went to our rooms and quickly settled. I was off to the beach, the long path was line with birch, and weeping willow trees. Garden areas of many different kinds of roses flourished,

The beach was made of orange / brown sand that was pebbly. The Waterfront was nice but looked like it was out of the fifties,

There was a long pier that Michael, Fernando, and I headed for. There were many side ares that were lower and had tables and benches to picnic at. The end of the pier found the Utah couple laying on the dock, Fatima showed up and we all had discussion of beer, fruity alcoholic drinks and how to get them here...that went nowhere. We all talked our our journeys and how they affected us, Fernando shares video of his cliff diving experience...looked awesome. I want to do it.!

The view behind was dramatic, snow capped mountains, high and majestic. The waterside revealed a setting sun on the lake Issyk-Kul. How relaxing..even with a cold breeze.

Returning to the compound, a quick bathroom break and we were meeting everyone at the restaurant dinner, Again, there almost nothing to eat, khan still had a good meal or a filling one the whole trio, so far, from 7-8 was the dinner hour, once Eight arrived, the shut down many of the lights, Michael stopped my and ate my pilaf as he didn't want to waste food,

Every said their good night and we all retired to our rooms. Soon a nock at the door revealed Tess with a few apples and pears. Yum!

Now..blogging about another amazing day,

Kyrgyzstan is proving to be a little jewel...bring on more.