Jeti-Oghuz

Jeti -Oghuz

Our next two day camping spot was once again up into the beautiful mountains. On the way we passed one of the most photographed natural land features of Kyrgyzstan, The Seven Bulls. The Seven Bulls is a brightly colored red sand stone cliff that dries vertically into the ground. 

Down the road from the main picture spot we stopped for a pee break. This was comical because as we all went into the bushes and abandoned buildings to take care of business we found horses all around. A few of us climbed up a crumbling building to get a few more good shots.

The truck slowly made its way up into the mountains across five bridges. It's a miracle that these bridges hold up day after day with some rather large trucks driving across them. They are only built out of a few logs after all.

Central Asia has never failed to amaze me at the construction, or lack of construction, of roads and bridges. 

Reaching the top we found a meadow tucked into the valley that would serve as our home for two nights. A ten dollar fee per day even covered our cost of using real toilets, in a shack of course. As usually goats and sheep roamed around our tents as we set them up herded by boys of about the age of 8. Typical Kyrgz. 

Some of our group went for a hike while others did laundry in the river. I chose to get our my wind pouch and lay down and read for a bit. After awhile we saw another giant truck come up the mountain. It was Dragoman, another overland company! We stood up and started staring as they pulled in. Even as they began to unload the truck we all stood by a tree just watching them, very awkward.

Alright, time to break the tension. I climbed into my T-Rex suit behind our truck and ran out roaring. Across the field I sprinted running in and out of everyone setting up their tents. Everyone was laughing! How often does a T-Rex greet you into a campsite. 

But, the stand off continued. No one crossed lines to talk to the others. Finally, I walked over to the other side to make friends. It was hysterical to look back at our camp, which had the setting sun facing them so they were all lit up, and see them all lined up against the tree staring at their campsite. One by one as people had a few drinks they came over and joined in on the conversation.

Early the next more we got up for our horseback ride. Similar to the last adventure ride there were very few rules. No helmets, children guides, and sketchy pathways. The 3 hour ride took us through the forest, across rivers, up mountains, and finally through a beautiful meadow. Kirstin and I took off at one point galloping ahead of everyone else. My dapple horse was much more responsive that my previous horse and I really enjoyed her. Paula on the other hand had way too responsive of a horse. One of the boys had to join her to keep her horse from galloping with us. It was her first time riding and not the best horse for it. Gen`s horse and mine did not like each other. Anytime we would get close their ears would go back and start to grunt at each other.

Eventually we reached the Valley of the Flowers at the base of a giant glacier. It was stunning to say the least. The temperature was a perfect amount of cool. We all dismounted and laid in the meadow eating our lunches. Our horses roamed around grazing freely. What a beautiful day! I could've laid there for hours looking out at the fairytale landscape.

On the way back two main events happened. First, Hanne`s horse would not listen and would just leave the path. At once point the little stinker just decided to sit down and remove Hanne from his back. Second, the one boy hit another horse to make him go faster. This resulted in Paula`s over active horse rearing up onto its hind legs. For a girl who has never ridden a horse before we were all proud that she managed to stay on his back! Unfortunately, her recently healing broken foot did not fare too well.

Totally exhausted back at camp we all quizzed each other on Central Asia facts from the guide book and then called it an early night.