We have little of interest to report from the last two weeks! Since our last update, we spent 2 days in the small Kyrgyz village of Tamga, on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, after Titicaca the second largest alpine lake in the world. The setting was stunning, with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, and the weather was even warm enough for us to spend a day on the beach (in our clothes!), and swim in the lake. We also visited a fascinating yurt factory, where a very talented and enterprising man provided the only employment in the area, as well as producing yurts which are sold all over the world.
Following that, we spent a rather frustrating week in Bishkek. After several phone calls to China, much trekking backwards and forwards to the embassy, and despite assurances that everything would be ok and a valid letter of invitation being flown in to Bishkek from Urumqi for us, the consul turned round after a week and said no anyway!
This forced an abrupt change of plan, or in fact two changes of plan. First the Indian embassy told us that processing our visa would take over a week, which kicked plan B into touch. So, two days after being refused the Chinese visa, we were on a plane to Bangkok, where we have been for the last 3 days, relaxing, reorientating and making new plans. Tomorrow, having finally made a successful visa application, we leave for Yangon and 2 weeks in Burma, before what will be a well earnd rest on Thailand's beaches.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
