Breakfast was included at the hotél and it was great. For the first time in ages, I had a hotel breakfast without rice, noodles or dumplings. The bowl of porridge, bread and jam, and egg and toast went down very well.
Pope and I then took some photos at the mosque before getting some water in town and saying goodbye. It was great meeting him and I wish him well on his month long ride.
The ride was long (94kms), flat and hot.
I stopped in Koktal after 17kms and got a cold coffee at the local Magazin. Some boys came up and wanted to know where I am from and they tried some of their English. Not bashful at all. It wasn’t a great town but people were friendly.
Then it was back to the good sealed road for the rest of the day, including 10 kms on the freeway. I was struck by the lack of traffic even though it was a public holiday. As I crossed over the freeway, there were no cars to be seen in any direction.
Later while I was stopped by the road taking a break, Azeem pulled over to check that everything was ok. We had a great chat. He’s originally from here but moved to Canada and was back on business. He offered water and was so generous. He also said that 90% of the people between here and Almaty are Uighers – didn’t know that.
I met a Russian couple bike touring but never saw them again that day.
I also met Jordi from Holland who I’ve previously messaged on one of the Cycling Central Asia and China WhatsApp groups regarding routes through Xinjiang. He suggested camping at Charyn Canyon and gave me some tips about the place. His trip is not involving any transport apart from his bike and that includes ferries. So for him, border crossings and restricted areas in China are an issue. I was happy to be given a lift up to Sayram Lake by the Chinese police, but for him, it would ruin his trip. So he’s making a big detour to a different border crossing to enter China.
When I finally arrived in Chundzha, the first hotel was a dump and I didn’t go in. The second was full and the third, a guesthouse, was also a bit of a dump but I was desperate. I have been spoiled by by how cheap and luxurious the hotels are in China.
Anyway, there was a local restaurant and a supermarket, so I was sorted.