Breathtaking Kyrgyzstan! (page 9 of 16)

I’m following your travel journal, especially the photos. I’m feeling a bit of monotony in the landscapes or the route. Have you visited any cities? Anyway, congrats to the "truck driver"—this trip doesn’t seem like a walk in the park. Are there any similarities with Uzbekistan?

Yeah...the Stan...

Cities...You mean those places with people, noise, and traffic?

The photos might give an impression of monotony, but I didn’t feel that way during the trip at all.

Cities and villages aren’t this country’s strong suit. Kyrgyzstan is a nature destination—it’s not for those who prefer urban travel.

Unless you enjoy post-Soviet vibes or urban exploration in certain spots.

The journey wasn’t complicated for either the driver or his substitute. The travel account might give a sense of difficulty or long road stretches, but the toughest moments happened outside the car: some hikes, the two hours on horseback, or the meager contents of a plate...

I haven’t been to Uzbekistan, so it’s hard for me to compare.

From the photos I’ve seen, they’re completely different.

Most feedback on Uzbekistan highlights stunning monuments. There’s nothing like that in Kyrgyzstan.

Temperature-wise, it’s not the same either.

I wouldn’t even consider going to Samarkand in the summer—way too hot for me!

I wouldn’t even think of going to Samarkand in the summer. Way too hot for me!

You’re wrong—the heat is often easier to handle than the crowds of tourists... and in summer, they don’t come.😏

My partner prefers temperatures like Norway’s.

So we’re trying not to go too far above 30°C! Especially in the city...

I’ve settled on late September for Uzbekistan.

You're going to Uzbekistan at the end of September??? Still traveling, I see... Morocco soon... maybe you're already retired, huh? 😇

Not late September 2026 or 2027!

A late September.

Or else March in the cold?

This year, I’m actually heading back to Morocco. More cities this time!

And next year, it’ll be South Korea in September!

As for retirement, long live phased retirement!

On January 1st, 2030!

Almost tomorrow. 😛

I’ve actually packed cycling shorts, but of course, I know that won’t be enough. The return to Bishkek on 08/30 (the day before the opening ceremony of the Games) is going to be rough... After the Games, my daughter will head back to France, and I’ll continue on to Uzbekistan, where I’ll meet up with some people we (my wife and I) met during our first trip to the country in 2023 (travel journal available on the forum). This year, I’ll be visiting many artisans, taking cooking classes in a village near Samarkand, and exploring the Seven Lakes region in Tajikistan. I’ll definitely be posting travel journals this fall! I’m really enjoying your story and most of the exchanges here... I’m getting back to it—I’m on page 7...

Yeah ...2030.... I might not be around anymore...🏴‍☠️

Uzbek cooking classes... I'd love to try those on my way back... 😉

travel journal available on the forum)

Great, some reading for my day tomorrow! 😉

I see you were there in September.

How were the temperatures like?

I’m sure you’ll be a fantastic centenarian one day! ;)

With fragile wrists, sure, but it’s a choice between drinking or hiking... 😏

Yeah... looks like you’ve already made up your mind... hiking just isn’t your thing... 😏

Tomorrow, I’ve picked hiking! 😛

In Osh...

I have some really special memories from this city. 😉

Bring it on!

We had some hot weather around the Aral Sea (Nukus and Moynaq... we didn’t go to the sea itself, the old port (Moynaq) is about 200 km from the shore now...), Khiva, and Bukhara, but not enough to force us to stay cool in the afternoons. It was cold, even very cold, in the mountains (Nourata and Shakhrisabz) in the late afternoon and early morning. Cool nights in Samarkand. No rainy days and rare clouds throughout our entire trip. Peak cotton-picking season in the fields and lots of (excellent) grapes in the Fergana Valley.

There aren't that many kilometers between Moynak and the shores of what's left of the Aral Sea—60 at most. 😉

I lived for a few years near Marseille... I must still have some of it in me... So, more like 60 km... which is already a lot between the port and the shore! And it feels really strange walking around the wrecks in the ship graveyard, stranded on the sand.

Yeah, it’s weird driving around the shipwrecks in a 4x4 and leaving tracks in the sand of this dead sea 😏😜

Pppfffttt... I don't like bikers either...😇