13 Jun 11: Karakol- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Horse riding gives nature a greater chance to be observed and appreciated, like driving in an open roof car. The natural scenes open up slowly and gradually to us as the horse climbs up the hill.
We said goodbye to our guide Almaz Japarovich Apiev round noon and reach the Karakol centre by marshrutka. We are off to Bishkek by car. Despite our negotiation, we have not been able to stop him from putting his music. They love it and love it loud. I hope the 5 hour drive leaves me without a headache. The views on the Karakol lake is a good compensation.
We are expected by the lady Asel Betsova from the Aga Khan Foundation who has been kind enough to reschedule our hotel arrangements 4 or 5 times. I have a series of meetings during my stay until Friday morning with the Minister of Architecture and other officials of Bishkek.
Our Kazakhstan visa has expired and it is too much of a hassle to apply for a new one. We are sick of bureaucracy and have decided to skip the Almaty stop and fly directly to Urumqi.