Trip to Karakol

On Tuesday morning (15.10.2019), we enjoy our last breakfast at our wonderful campsite near Balyktschy. Then it's time to pack our belongings into Schrotti's trunk and continue our journey. We want to drive along the southern shore of the lake to Karakol. During the drive, there is a loud rattling noise from the back left. I attribute it to differently stored wooden planks that sometimes serve as seats for us and pay no further attention to the clatter. With the charming landscape constantly passing by, it's easy to ignore. In the south, various mountains appear, sometimes glowing reddish in the sun, sometimes covered in snow as rugged highlands. In the north, Issyk Kul is fully seen in all its splendor. The clear water presents itself in various shades of blue. From light turquoise to deep dark blue, everything is there. In Bokonbayevo, we stop for a short coffee break before embarking on the next 130 km to the east. We reach Karakol in darkness and check into the Dom Hostel. In the evening, we cook something, enjoy a warm shower, and end the evening in the hostel's kitchen. In the meantime, Rango has settled again on Schrotti's backseat.

On Wednesday, after getting up, I take a first walk in the city center with Dicker. The small town seems quite lively. Back at the hostel, we extend our stay for another night. Marcus has some stomach problems, but luckily they resolve themselves during the day. So after breakfast, there is time for a side trip to a completely wooden mosque (without nails and screws). The colorful little house is quite impressive. Back at the hostel, my two-legged companion stretches out again, and I use the time to work on my travel blog. After a coffee and a few cookies together, Marcus is fit enough for another walk in Karakol. We stroll through a wooden Orthodox church and an extensive park to the bazaar. We buy a few small things and go back to the hostel. Apart from a few houses in the center of the village, Karakol is more rural in structure and development. We spend the evening again in the hostel kitchen, cooking stew and talking to other travelers.