Markets

June 22, 2019

Omnipresent they are. Local entrepeneurs selling their goods along the roads. Or on small and large markets. In any case they bring color and rural life closer to you. Because the chain of production to consumer is very short, everything is as fresh as it can be. We never got sick but watch out with dairy. It is widely consumed and in many cases raw. Such as the national fermented horse milk ‘kymyz’. Not for those with weak intestines. Another local drink is ‘kvass’ made of natural fermented rye bread and hop. With very little alcohol, around 1%, it is …

Smile

June 19, 2019

When you meet Kyrgyz people you instantly feel happiness. It’s like they just stepped outside a photo booth. Smiling all the time. It’s contagious and make you sprankle! When they smile you will notice that it glitters quit often. What’s remarkable is that a lot of them have golden teeth.

Sary-Chelek

June 15, 2019

In the midst of a nature reserve, recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere reserve, sits Sary-Chelek at 2000m altitude. We entered the park from Arkit, where you have a gated entrance. You have to pay a small fee to enter the park, for your car and to camp. It’s a beautiful & peaceful piece of nature. A perfect place to stay the night with the reflection of the stars twinkling in the silver lake. Together with 3 other travellers, a local guide and 2 sweet German travellers Karin & Christian, we enjoyed an improvised meal and a couple shots …

Are you nuts?

June 14, 2019

Nestled in a lush valley in the shadow of Gora Babash-Alta mountains lies the village of Arslanbob, home of the world’s largest natural walnut forest. It’s difficult to describe the atmosphere of the walnut forrest, not spooky, nor fairytale-like but the omnipresent green color is at least special. A bit unearths. Arslanbob is a bit on the shabby side. A feeling which is magnified by the high number of antique cars. Robust Soviet material which keeps on rolling. It’s like looking in your rear view mirror and get kicked back 60 years.The whole village is involved in the harvest of …

Song köl

June 12, 2019

An alpine lake at 3016m altitude. Our glittering prize after an adventurous drive. Coming from Tash Rabat we took a short cut heading for Baetov, crossing the mountains of Narin. Starting of with sunshine the sky was slowly getting dark. Sometimes you read that the weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Well, thats also our experience.We had 4 seasons in an 8 hour timespan. At some point we had to turn around because the roads were closed. At least that’s what i understood from a local chevalier. Little did i knew that he ment ‘not possible by 4X4, too …

Caravanserai

June 10, 2019

In the shadow of At Bashi Kirka Toosu mountain you can seek shelter in the caravanserai of Tash-Rabat. The dirt road to the caravanserai is simply magnificent. Gorgeous green pastures with herds of horses grazing peacefully. The caravanserai dates back from the 10th century and is made entirely of crushed stone. Part of it sits in the hill side, well protected against stormy weather conditions during winter time. Closing your eyes shoots you back to the era of the traders & their camels. Picture yourself the Silk Road. About 1 km before the caravanserai there’s a lovely place to stay …

King of the mountain

June 8, 2019

Nature is diverse, we all know that. But do you appreciate the diversity? Do you recognise true beauty when you look around? What do you feel?Only mountains, made of raw material, stones, sometimes covered with soft grasses, different shapes.Majestic.

Aitoo

June 6, 2019

A golden heart, a golden bird, a lovely host. That’s Aitoo’s Home.We arrived late afternoon unannounced. The welcome was warm and immediately we were invited for a cup of tea & cake. Together with his spouse Gulnaz and mother we enjoyed the warmth of their presence and kitchen. They live rather secluded and are therefore self-sustaining for most part of their daily life. We spent the night in one of their yurts, covered under colourful blankets. In Kyrgyz an eagle is called Berkut, named after the golden feathers in his neck. The hunters are the Berkutchi. Eagle hunting is probably …

Yuri Gagarin

June 5, 2019

The cosmonaut you mean? Yes, the one and only who made it to orbit in 1961. Hey, that was way before the Americans reached the moon. No?Yuri stayed 3 times in the Voyennyy Sanatoriy Mork in Tamga. On our way to Bokonbayevo we decided to visit this little gem. The place is a pearl, and on top well preserved. You can actually book a room and stay a night if you wish to revive the Russian athletic spirit. We didn’t. Walking around the park searching for a Yuri Gagarin monument we noticed several people painting stuff & weeding the area. …

Karakol

June 4, 2019

50 shades of grey is not only a book. In Karakol it is a gloomy reality. No vibrant colours, only grey. Maybe that’s the reason why there’s such a beautiful church & colourful Dungan mosque. The Holy Trinity Orthodox church dates back from 1895 and is made entirely out of wood. Like many of them in Kyrgyzstan because they are more earthquake resistant.

Photography & travel