Almaty, Kazachstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

We are ready to ride south west to Bishkek 

The beginning of stage two of our ride 

From Vladivostok to London

We had a wee celebration with Robyn and Mark Tootill

KapaiKiwis who are riding from the UK to NZ.

They have ridden through the Stans and are heading for China.

We ride south from the hotel

Past luxury shops, apartments, the University and 

And Bavarian motors and car showrooms

Into the countryside

First through market gardens

And then through wheat and hay harvesting

A couple of stops for drinks.

The Tootills catch up with us at our second stop.

It’s a treat to meet someone we know.

We also meet some lovely young women 

 On a girls’ weekend away

To celebrate Zara’s birthday

The road to Bishkek takes a left turn

And so do we

Through rolling hills and rocky outcrops

To the border crossing

Where I break our cardinal rule

To stay by my man at border crossings

I went off to the passengers ‘lounge’

A corrugated iron roof offering shade

And a 1.5 hour wait at passport control.

Meanwhile Dick and Mark were through the border in 20 minutes.

While Robyn and I were twice baked in the heat of the day

Lesson learned I hop onto the bike

We ride into Bishkek

With its tree lined boulevards

To find our tent for the night

We find our hotel and rejoice... it is marvellous to be on the road again.

Zara the birthday girl and ‘joy bringer’.

Lovely young women we met on the way, today.


We took a left turn into the hills. Reminiscent of Central Otago.



The border crossing where I learned to ‘Stay by my man’.

Lots of very smart cars on the streets.

And people waiting for buses.

Dinner for my driver. Steak, confit garlic, roast bone marrow (first time we have seen it served this way) toasted bread and tomato.