Marshrutka to Issyk-Kul
Lake Issyk Kul is a saline lake spanning over 6,000 square miles and has a depth of up to 2,000ft. Its commonly known as the “Eye of Asia” when viewed from a map or from space if you’re lucky. Its name comes from the Kyrgyz phrase for Warm Lake.The lake was a common stopping point for traders traveling along the silk road. Research suggests the lake was the epicenter of the Black Plague in the 14th century. Don’t let this discourage you from enjoying a weekend getaway to one of the lakeside resorts in the region. The lake is only a four hour drive from Bishkek and receives tourists from the surrounding countries every summer. My language school put together an amazing weekend adventure for us. Our program was divided into two private Marshrutka vans. They normally function similar to a bus where each van has a routine route. The streets of Bishkek are packed with these vans and carry as many people that can possibly fit inside.
Burana Tower
Our first stop explores the ancient ruins of the Turkic Kara-Khanid Khanate from the early 10th century. The Khanate founded the city of Balasagun and was a popular stop along the silk road. After the Mongols invaded the in the 14th century, the city eventually came into disrepair. The tower is the only architectural piece of evidence standing today and was renovated after numerous earthquakes cut the towers height in half from nearly 150ft to less than 100ft today.
Eating ice cream along the old Silk Road
Tokmok
The town of Tokmok sits along the border with Kazakhstan and just north of the Burana Tower. The nearby airfield used to host Soviet and Warsaw pact pilots for training purposes. I found an interesting article which goes more into detail about the towns aviation history.
Welcome Home
The lake house is surrounded by a small garden. A cafeteria sits separate from the house which serves amazing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The rooms host amazing views of the lake and serves the best amenity possible: Silence.
Going for a Swim
Let me tell you my friend. I was struggling out there. The water was too cold for me to enjoy, however, its whats under the lake that is truly worth freezing for. Especially if you’re an archeologist. Divers from a Russian university found evidence of an Armenian monastery dating back 2,500 years. Was one of Jesus’s Disciples buried here? That mystery remains to be solved.
Finishing up the day with some classic songs
The morning sun rising up over the Tian-Shan mountains in China
My lunch consists of chicken, rice, noodles, carrots, and a side of bread.
The dirt road connecting the lake house to the A363 highway.
Eagle Hunting
The Kyrgyz people lived a nomadic lifestyle before the days of the USSR. Their traditions and customs still live on to this day. Kyrgyz tribes primarily used eagles to hunt down their next meal for the family.
Horse Riding
As part of the program, a three hour horse back riding adventure gives you the opportunity to experience rural farm life as you ride past mountainside homes and flocks of goats and sheep.
