Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Walk along the shore
We had a lazy morning at the hotel before hitting the road. I took a bit of a walk along the shore of the lake. Saw a couple guys who I would credit with a polar plunge given the temperature!
The volume of resorts going in is astounding. The place will be entirely different in a short time.
Breakfast options
Petroglyphs
The plant with the reddish berries is ephedrine (like the decongestant). When you see a snow leopard you know ibex are nearby. Balbals are Zoroastrian, also referred to as Sky Religion. When a balbal has no moustache it is the queen of the khan. The Khans are seen bringing a cup (water) and dagger to the afterlife. Deer carry goods to the afterlife. They are holy, and not eaten.
Boom Gorge
Sights along the way and a cafeteria lunch. I guess some people were quite cross about it. I enjoyed seeing the local folk and had just enough to eat to not be hungry.
Burana Tower
The word Burana is just mis-pronounced ‘minaret,’ so the actual name is more like minaret minaret. There was a lantern on top, so it acted as a lighthouse. When Genghis Khan arrived the people surrendered their gold, so he spared them. This became his watch tower. It was 40 meters high, now is 23 meters due to earthquake. There was a citadel where the hill is now. In 2003 there was a Russian base. Tokmok Military Aviation School is still active here.
The steps are only wide enough for one. Another lady and I shouted “coming down!” and were real bullies to anyone trying to go up the steps when we were headed back! Like a lot of things here, the steps are not the consistent, comfortable height you are accustom to. Anything could happen next – from tiny to giant.
