Discovering Kyrgyzstan--Tash Rabat and Lake Issyk Kul
Tash Rabat
Tash Rabat Caravanserai was my favorite spot in Kyrgyzstan. The traditional home to Central Asia's nomads, Tash Rabat is one of the few remaining caravanserai of the Silk Road. The large impressive stone shelter provided a safe haven for men and animals in a beautiful valley setting. It dates from the 10th century. We stayed in yurts a short trip up the valley in a setting that was made for hiking.
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First, the caravanserai, inside and out, with more space than you'd expect since it's built into the side of the mountain.
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Nearby, a little girl tended yaks on the hillside and then came down to sell small souvenirs when we arrived.
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Our camp was in the valley next to a river of crystal cold water you could hear flowing at night. Each yurt housed 3 people, and we dinned in a separate yurt. The camp had two outhouses, men and women's, the latter with a light at night so we had a target to run to when the need arose, which it did for me.
a visitor to the camp
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....grab the handle on the door and squat....
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.....a sleeping bag on a comfortable cot, with a stove that provided heat early in the evening
the ceiling of a yurt
We had drinks before dinner, followed by dinner and some impromptu dancing.
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The camp surroundings were beautiful, and I wish we had had more time there for hiking.
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A couple of folks waded or jumped into the cold river, then hit the sauna. Yuri was a delightful character who enjoyed the ladies.
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Before leaving, we had a "departure party," dressing up in costumes and generally making fools of ourselves....had a good time....and have never had that much hair!
....our camp staff...delightful group..
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Lake Issyk Kul and Bishkek
From Tash Rabat we made our way to Lake Issyk Kul, where we stayed at an international resort but had little time there other than eating and sleeping. The lake is surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Tien Shan mountains.
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From the lake we made our way to Bishkek, but stopped for a couple additional opportunities to explore earlier cultures. I'll add a couple other shots from the road and lunch table.
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Near the airport and the lake are the Petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata, some dating to the late Bronze Age (1500 BC) but later engravings date from the Turkic Era (5th to 10th centuries).
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The Burana Tower is a large minaret in the Chuy Valley. It's about all that remains of a castle and an ancient town, but a 'garden' of rock carvings has been positioned nearby.
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...using truck/train box cars panels as a fence...good idea.
.....lunch stop..
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Bishkek
Our last stop in Kyrgyzstan was Bishkek and near by mountains that reminded me of Idaho, where I lived for many years. Bishkek is a cosmopolitan town, with lots of restaurants and modern shops, but I still love the traditional markets. It's also a city of parks and plazas, with lots of statues.
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The Plaza Hotel in Bishkek is a four-star hotel.
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The city and country were preparing for the World Nomad Games, which celebrate the nomadic heritage of 40 central Asian nations with eagle hunting, bone throwing, and a polo game with a decapitated goat carcass.
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And on to the bazar/market.
Like Oprah, "I love bread," and theirs was delicious.
bacon, bacon, bacon
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We stopped for a trek in the Ala Archa National Park, an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains near Bishkek.
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