A first impression of our travel itinerary through Central Asia – that is Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – may be that we were wandering around the area aimlessly, criss-crossing back and forth, zig-zagging when we were finished criss-crossing and backtracking when we were done zig-zagging. Well, I blame Dave for all this – he was the mastermind and spiritual leader of our travel through the Stans and there definitely … Continue reading →
The lines on the map that separate the countries of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan all twist and turn and get tangled like a child’s drawing but in reality they were drawn by the Soviets who were trying to spread the limited fertile land of the Fergana Valley between all the countries. But since mountains and rivers are the real determining factor to where the roads go it means you … Continue reading →
From a bluff above the Pyandzh River we gazed down on a scene absolutely lost in time. On the other bank of the river – which at this stage was more like a gentle stream – was an old mud brick hut surrounded by nine camels and a few horses, their heavy loads scattered across the ground near them. Two guys were down by the river while a woman dressed … Continue reading →
Travelling along the Pamir Highway is possibly the ultimate experience for any visitor to Central Asia and has been the part of this trip I have most looked forward to. For most of it’s path the highway is more like rutted old road or a dirt track carved into steep mountain walls, following deep valleys with raging rivers down below. It crosses over 4,000 metre passes, past ancient villages and … Continue reading →
