Kyrgyzstan dicking about

Why kyryzggyzkykzstan lad?

File: 20170509_011036.jpg (4MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 5312x2988px

>>1246552
See the "stupid reasons to travel" thread for the answer to that... I'm slightly amazed they let me in, as I spent most of the 18 hours travel time getting pissed, and had difficulty standing straight when I got to Immigration. I blame the Iranians at Attaturk airport...

If anyone has got anything in the Bishkek area they think I should check out, post it and I'll see what I can do...

>>1246996
there's a cafe/restaurant with outdoor seating called arsu IIRC that's pretty good food and still cheap, there's a night club called coyote near that restaurant for partying, and there was a very good georgian restaurant near the hostel i stayed in (interhouse bishkek)

>>1246996
Get on the bus to Karakol check out the lake and all the trashy Kazakh and Russian tourists

>>1247033
Georgian food and drink has a pretty good reputation so I'll give it a go
>>1247086
Will be heading to Karakol on Friday - was considering a stop in Cholpon Ata just to amuse myself watching the number of people wearing Adidas sportswear..

Heading to the Zhirgal baths next for a cold dip (it's hot as balls here by my lightweight English standards) and a rubdown by a 300lb Russian....

>>1247402
I could be lucky and find it's a Kyrgyz lass doing massages - for those of you who like Asian women, there are some stunningly gorgeous locals

>>1246544
How do you wanna track down that dude?

>>1247282
Oh and check out the ala archa national park which is like 30 km away from bishkek, pretty nice place and has 2 hiking routes one longer route leading to a waterfall and the other walking by a river, i did the former and i saw the river from a vantage point, also it was cloudy and rained but i saw the clouds passing by me and shit was surreal

>>1247497
Its probably going to take a lot of pointing at a YouTube video and looking confused...
>>1247598
It's on my to-do list

The baths yesterday were a seriously weird experience, although the massage amazingly cured my back problems. I had a couple of very friendly and obviously 101% heterosexual Russian guys decide I needed Vodka. It's fair to say I've no previous experience of being naked while knocking back shots with people I met 2 mins previously..

Post some pics OP.

File: 20170510_130100.jpg (5MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

5MB, 3264x2448px

>>1247931
Eh, I'm a shit photographer. ..

File: 20170510_125330.jpg (4MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 3264x2448px

>>1247933

File: 20170510_102613.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1247934
Have just offered the hotel shuttle driver approx 10 days wages to take me out to the really scenic parts of KG, around Issyk Kul lake via Tokmok to Karakol. Strangely enough, he agreed...
Will hopefully get some "decent" pictures of the Kyrgyz countryside to post for you guise soon

File: 20170510_143940.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1247936
Bishkek isn't the most scenic of places, but it's frenzied levels of activity, cool shady tree-lined boulevards, nice people, and food from all over the globe, more than compensate. Current rating is 9/10 (and I've never given anywhere a 10)
>pic is the "Banya" where it got [not unpleasantly] weird Yesterday

>>1247940
P.S. For all you trainee alcoholics out there, forget that the populace is 80% Muslim, there's booze EVERYWHERE...

>>1247940
tell the Banya story then

>>1247933
Doesn't matter, I just want to see what the place looks like. So thanks!>>1247936


>Have just offered the hotel shuttle driver approx 10 days wages to take me out to the really scenic parts of KG, around Issyk Kul lake via Tokmok to Karakol.
Also: kek.

File: 20170512_104230.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1248250
The shuttle poaching turns out to be a stroke of accidental genius. It means I now have an interpreter, as his English is good, and a comfy ride in an air conditioned mid-range Mercedes. Having seen some laughable/terrifying taxis and marshrutkas at Dordoi bazaar this morning, I'd guess it'll be a hell of a lot safer. The bazaar itself was fucking chaos, but if they don't have whatever you might be looking for, you should probably conclude that it doesn't exist.

File: 20170512_115551.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1248274
The breakdancers on the way back were unexpected.

>>1248278
the breakdance scene there is pretty big. I know some of them.

>>1248274
there is no required technical control so cars can be fucked up but most use good common sense and care for their car as far as they got money

File: 20170514_123836.jpg (4MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 3264x2448px

Some more pics incoming. Made some damned good friends over the past few days, some of whom are, it seems, in the KGB - Kyrgyzstan never disbanded theirs... I've never seen the notoriously corrupt traffic police move so quickly when presented with an ID card.

File: 20170514_162050.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1248421
The locals seem to cope admirably with knackered roads and decidedly non-standard vehicles.

It's probably a meme on >>>/ck/, but we stopped at a beach at Issyk Kul lake in the hope of catching lunch and cooking it. We succeeded.

File: 20170514_113457.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1249473
It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen, no exaggeration. Legend-tier people. Just managed to get a ride to Jalal-Abad tomorrow by talking to a couple of Kyrgyz who were chilling outside the hotel when I checked out.

File: 20170514_174533.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1249478
There's villages here that look like they've been around since time began and only just survived the end of the world; which given the end of the Soviet Union, is almost true. Didn't stop due to it being acknowledged as a not particularly good place, but Balykychy is the post-apocalypse made real.

Cool thread OP, keep going.

>>1249468
Cool thread indeed!
How much did you plan before going?
How did you meet locals?
Do you speak any Russian?

Noice thread.

File: 20170514_123213.jpg (5MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

5MB, 3264x2448px

>>1249500
The only thing I planned before was a hotel for the first 2 nights so I had somewhere to head for, and benefit from their airport shuttle. I don't speak any Russian (unless knowing "Pizdets" counts), but I probably look like a friendly alien to the locals. Being 6'2" with grey eyes, and an increasingly bushy ginger and grey beard means I stand out. A lot. They're nice people and will try and communicate if you try too..

File: 20170514_191919.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1249585
Because I like to get >>>/out/ when I'm back home, I threw a few essential survival bits in my bag, so if I ended up anywhere stupid (it's a skill I seem to be blessed/cursed with) then my chances of getting dead weren't so great.

File: 20170514_115958.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1249588
Apologies for the shitty photo rotation, Guise; blame 4chan for ignoring jpeg metadata blah blah blah

>>1248250
>Also: kek
Pretty common way to go a tour guide

>>1249472
u wot
Issyk Kul is almost empty of fish because they put in some non local fish wich killed all other fish in there

>>1249588
May I ask what kind of survival stuff you took with you?
Also: Any leads on the guy you were trying to find or did you change your mind on that?

>>1250082
When i was reading about it, it only mentioned that it's no longer commercially viable to fish and that there had been some recovery due to that meaning it's possible for some recreational fishing now. All the dried fish for sale around the lake is non local though.

>>1247402

Howd this go OP?

Always wanted to get one, but the boys on departures made it look almost painful with the 'massage' (aka beating) they seemed to get.

Not a huge fan of massages but it looks like an experience.

>>1249478
go to iran youl love it

File: 20170517_125403.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1250082
I understand that it's screwed as a commercial fishery, but that tasty slice of fishyness took 30 mins to find.
>>1250179
Haven't got south enough yet to look for him. I've got my Trangia, Bivi bag, fishing line, fire kit, knife and wet weather gear etc, just enough to stab something, eat it and shelter down for the night..
>>1250253
You have to be a bit careful where you catch, in bad weather the rain comes through the Uranium tailings near Bokonbayevo, and things get a bit radioactive as a result
>>1250318
You're definitely going to be disappointed if you're looking for a sensual experience with a happy ending - it's a bit rough but great for any muscular pain

File: 20170518_130455.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1250401
I knew some Iranians at work a few years back and they were a bloody good bunch. Same goes for the ones I was chatting to at Attaturk airport.

Might have to give it a go.

Hiked up a 2300m mountain today - despite the terrifying conditions it was fucking spectacular.

File: 20170518_124157.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1250981
And some of the plant life on the way up and back was very interesting..
There was acres of the stuff

File: 20170519_115058.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

Just got back to Bishkek, and went to the first hotel I stayed at. After my first stay, I got sent the usual "How was your stay?" survey bollocks, and I'd given them fantastic ratings on all areas, but when asked for any other comments, I half-jokingly said the toilet paper was brutal. 5 mins after I get to my room, there's a knock at the door... They'd sent someone out to buy luxury bog roll for me without being asked.

Feel somewhere between slightly guilty and majorly impressed.

>pic is the 3 Kyrgyz lads who I shared a taxi back to Bishkek with - they wanted to be on an "English" website. Close enough I guess...

>>1246544
Kyrgyzstan is one of my favorite countries on this Earth. Glad you're enjoying it, OP.

File: 20170519_134158.jpg (5MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

5MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251347
I'm pretty sure it's become #1 on my list. It's looking very likely this thread will spawn a sequel later in the year, around mid-September.

>pic is of a legit "refreshment stop" a taxi I was in stopped for. Easy to laugh, maybe, but the driver knew it was spring water from the Tien Shan. It had absolutely no taste at all, no mineral hint etc.

File: 20170521_114901.jpg (4MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 3264x2448px

Just wandered into central Bishkek and managed to grab a couple of pics while Chuy Avenue was unusually quiet.

File: 20170521_114940.jpg (4MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251928
Hope you guys will forgive the rotation(s) in exchange for the OC pics

File: 20170521_115036.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251929

File: 20170521_115412.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251930

File: 20170521_115440.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251931

File: 20170521_115542.jpg (3MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251932

Looks like a fairly average post-soviet city. Has your opinion on Bishkek changed after travelling in the rest of the country?
Also, did you find any cool bars with cute KGZ girls?

File: 20170517_182102.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251979
>looks like a fairly average post-Soviet city

You'd be right in many ways, and it's certainly part of the place's charm. It's a nice relaxing city to spend some time in.

File: 20170512_104232(0).jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>1251979
Nah, no change in my opinion of the city - it's got a good feel about it. Any cute KG girls? - well, they're in many cases stunning, but I've already got a feisty Newfie girl (no, not the dog...) to deal with...

>never piss off a Newfie girl.

>>1251982
While I'm here, can anyone enlighten me as to WTF "Nazvai" (that's my guess at the spelling) is? It looks like fishing shot made of weed.. Enjoyable, whatever the fuck it is...

Do you have to speak Russian to get around? Or is English at aleast somewhat doable?

>>1252091
>is english at least somewhat doable?

Just about. I've survived and hugely enjoyed it.

Is there any place where you can ride horses?

>>1252278
Of course. North West coast of Issyk Kul is touristic center and there are plenty of places you can rent a horse to ride to the mountains. I remember driving to the mountains and there were people on horses coming back and i asked which way is most interesting and they told me that there is an amazing waterfall but I cant get there with my car and I need to rent a horse like they did

>>1252531
This.
There are horses everywhere, but certainly around Issyk Kul / Jeti Oguz there were plenty, and around Toktogul

>>1252091
I found English do-able as well, plenty of good/ near perfect English speakers in the tourism industry and locals are patient and understanding when there is a barrier, usually over come by the usual charades and pointing. The government seems big on promoting tourism as an economic Savior so locals are quite enthusiastic to deal with tourists right now, also this may be due to none or few of the negative effects of tourism have started to weigh on country when compared to s.e Asia.

tell me about kyrgyz people (women as well)

>>1253450
meh

So you mentioned the girls are stunning? What's the prevalent ethnicity? Any creep (or non-creep) pictures you took of any of them?

>>1254684
Prevailing ethnicity is Kyrgyz - related to the Mongolians. You see quite a few Slavic faces in Bishkek and around the north side of Issyk Kul, but the % of the population who claim Russian ancestry is declining.