Stage 59 'Uli Dala, Kazakhstan'

Today I wanted to cover half the distance, about 300km, back to Aktobe. According to OSM, there should be accommodation somewhere around km 300. At 9:30 AM, I set out for the Aral Sea. The distance was about 25km, about 20km of which was dirt road. If it became too difficult with the broken shock absorber, I would turn back. The route didn’t have too many potholes, but there were some very sandy sections where I also laid the bike down twice. Unfortunately, the Aral Sea was not where it was supposed to be according to the map. No water in sight, just dry steppe as far as the eye could see. Since the dirt road had also ended by then, I decided to head back. Back in Aral, I could refresh my supplies and begin my actual stage to Uli Dala. This is accommodation for travelers through the Kazakh steppe. Other than this accommodation, there is actually nothing around here. The accommodation and rooms are okay, but unfortunately without internet. Tomorrow I will continue on to Aktobe. I plan to spend two nights there.