Sunday March 10

Left our Biskek Guest house early this morning to travel by mashutka east to Karakol.  A mashutka is a small bus taxi, ours being a Mercedes Sprinter.

The snow has stopped but still lying everywhere and the roads are quite icy and slushy.  Thankfully we have a very capable driver with his wife on board as well - seems to me a moderating influence on a man who might want to speed.
Lesson number 4.  Always chose a driver with his wife on board



The snow capped mountains follow us the entire way on both sides.  We are obviously travelling along a very long valley.  There is a mountain pass to negotiate which takes us to a higher level valley in which lies Lake Issyk-kul.    As I hoped the sky is vivid blue with sun shining.  Unfortunately cloud covers the tops of the mountains that somewhat spoils what would otherwise be fantastic photos.






Half way up the pass we stop at a lovely cafe with waiters and waitresses in national dress.  We have chosen lagman which is quite like minestrone with long noodles plus lots of pepper, a really delicious.  And those mountains just keep following us.

The lake is bright blue in the sun and huge.  We are on the north side and can see to the south side where the mountains seem to rise right out of the water.  The lake is 150 kilometres long.  Unfortunately we can't stop for a photo today and Karakol is 12 Km further on away from the lake's edge.
Understandably this lake is quite a tourist area in summer and when close to the edge, many resort type buildings are apparent.  We are informed that it is mostly the Kazakhs who come here now, although back in the Soviet years many Russian dignitaries came.  We pass an enormous, grand  stone complex, the Hotel Aurora,  which was used by the Russians in those days.  Reportedly many political strategies were planned here.
We arrive at our hosts' house by mid afternoon and settle in, followed by a meeting with the interpreter we will work with for the seminars during the next ten days.