The ever-helpful CBT also
arranged for a 2000 som (roughly 30 dollar) shared taxi to Bishkek. Though I
could likely do better money-wise via marshrutka, this seemed like the fastest
and most flexible option, and had the lowest chance of failure. The drive was
nothing short of spectacular, and everything but the last hour or two was a
scenic highlight. The pass was especially terrifying and awesome, with the
serpentine highway reminding me of Kenny Loggins’ proverbial highway as it
climbed higher and higher into the mountains. We passed yurts and villages and
went far above the timber line, even above the snow. At the summit there is a
dingy and loud tunnel with absolutely no shoulder, which makes the trucks going
in the opposite direction even more terrifying, especially given that the
emergency exit signs say “2000 m” at parts. We saw some bicyclist in the tunnel
(not wearing proper reflective/lighting equipment) and we all agreed they were
a fool. In any case, flying this section would be a total waste given that the
highway itself is sky-high and the views are not to be missed.
No comments:
Post a Comment