This is a report about a three weeks stay in Kyrgyzstan, about my first visit to Asia Minor. Coming down in Bischkek, the capital, I was transferred to different geographical areas from Lake Issyk Kul to mountain sides of the Tien Shan, to Temir Kanat, Tuura Su, and Dscheti Ogus. I made a daytrip to Karakol at the East end of Lake Issyk Kul and a short stop in Bischkek to see the famous Osh market.
Favourite spots:
Tending the yaks
The half desert at the shores of Lake Issyk Kul at Kara Talaa, Temir Kanat and the high-lying valleys and the rock of the dragon, Tuura Su and the Kyrgyzsian hospitality, visiting the yurts of the nomads, tending the herds of horses, sheep, goats, and yaks grazing along the slopes, playing a kind of punch-ball at a height of 2700 m, and finally Karakol, the town of the tsars, the farmers, and the relicts of Sowjet times.
What's really great:
Alter Mann
The silence, that you wake up during the night, because it is so silent, the width and the beauty of the landscape in springtime with these unbelievable meadows of edelweiss and vermouth, this incredible blue sky, where over the day above the mountains towers of white clouds built up, the deep red colours of the rock formaton seen against the turquois colour of the lake, it is just breathtaking, horseback riding, what I never did before, Karakol, the living history, and the smiling people with their soft way of speaking, no yelling children, no harsh voices.
Sights:
Holy Trinity Church in Karakol
Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Russian church, and the potatoe field in its enclosure; the Chinese Mosque and its clean toilettes; the Jakshilik bazar and the department store nearby; by just walking around recognising the historical development of the town
Accommodations:
The clean toilet
I only made a daytrip to Karakol, so I do not know anything about accommodation.
Restaurants:
The young couple, living inone of the yurts in the summer
I followed my nose and looked for cleanliness.
Other recommendations:
A man, Bischkek, Osh Market
Making a telefon call to Bischkek is an expereince, it reminded me of after war times. I think it is easier to go around the country when one knows Russian, but trying German and English we were able to charter a car.
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