UB - Moscow - Bishkek
I spent my last morning in UB retrieving my photos, thankfully I got them all back (thanks Damo for the long distance help). Our last lunch was at German doner with Damian, another cycle tourist. I am not sure how German my kebab was but it sure was delicious. The afternoon was spent traipsing around the city, looking for a lost couple shops and sights that Eliza wanted to check out. The three of us went out for one final mongolian meal for Eliza and I. It was ok. After a few too many beers (2L beer bottles are dangerous) we were off too bed with the alarm clock set very early.
After an uneventful flight - I got three seats I my self I was in Moscow, trying to figure out how to spend the next 12 hours in the airport. After much wifi and sleeping on the floor I hopped onto the next plane and got upgraded to business class. Aeroflot business class is only slightly better than most other economy class flights. Still exciting though.
Customs in Kyrgyzstan was simple. Unfortunately Aeroflot did not think it was important to put my bike on the plane. I grabbed my other panniers and made my way into town by taxi.
I had arranged to stay at a cycling guesthouse in bishkek, I hadn't planned on arriving at 6am when everyone was still asleep. Nathan, the owner kindly let me in ad despite having no rooms available let me take over a small undercover area with my sleeping bag and mat.
I soon met about 12 other long distance cyclists, most of whom have come from the way I am heading. I was a little intimidated by their years of experience touring and when they asked where I have cycle all I could muster up was oh a few weeks in mongolia and Tassie.
In the afternoon I applied for and got my tajik visa. Unfortunately I was a bit quick to make my decision in dates and I didn't leave enough time to get an Uzbek visa.
After stressing about it for a night I have now decided I am going to fly from Tajikistan to Iran. Now I just need to grab my Iranian visa in dushanbe which shouldn't be an issue. My bicycle also turned up the day after I arrived which was a great relief.
Anyway, I am sure all my visa issues and planning it's actually that interesting to read about. Bishkek feels like a European city compared to UB. The grocery stores have a wide range of ingredients and there is about double the variety of fruit and veg, not to mention all the spices that are sold in the shops.
Today Damien (yes another Aussie cycle tourist called Damien) and I ventured out to the market and then I didn't a grocery shop and bought far too much food for my next stint. I intend to leave the guest house tomorrow morning and head to Osh, this will probably take me about 2 weeks. I have spent the last three days trying to absorb bike maintenance knowledge and getting tips on the next couple of thousand kilometres.
Market
Have fun Court. Sounds amazing! ��
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