A dangerous liaison Mishruka. (Russian) Literal trans. Local Kyrgyz bus usually converted Mercedes sprinter with the addition of a few handrails. Cons:- No apparent timetable, no apparent max capacity, no chance of comfortable trip, always guaranteed a massive cracked windscreen. Driver will be smoking, on the phone, counting chance and attempting to drive quickly all at the same time. Pros:- 13p across town. "I sat perched one butt check on the dash board ...

The roasted aromas of the coffee maker on the corner table of the dining room did little to mask the odour of bleach and stale beer as it emptied its load upon the table. A muddy puddle of Nescafé seeping through the cracks of the pristine white plastic table cloth. Back in Bishkek. The fellowship depart. Neil and Anne-Marie back to Manchester, Louise our quirky little Canadian back to Montreal, Kevin to Gatwick and Martin to Heathrow. All departing at 1.30. ...

It feels like I'm in The Truman Show. Everything is just a bit too perfect. The perfect rows of identical chalets, the perfectly set table, the perfectly made up room. The perfect little yellow sand beach with perfect sun loungers and parasols reached by walking down the perfectly cobbled uncracked walkway. Are there little hidden cameras watching my every move? Are the smiling wealthy locals (the first with any type of wealth I've seen) all actors and I'm th...

Splints, Unwanted children and Russians.... Today was our last full day hiking, so we decided to go out in style! 20km upwards along the Aksu River. It was beautiful to see the cultural side of Kyrgyzstan. Horses roamed free across the landscape followed by foals of every colour. Cows and sheep were tended by local shepherd with dogs whilst on horse back. The people live in little huts in the land. The importance of livestock sunk in when we came across a sheep...

After a the best days walking we arrive at camp. We touched the sky at 3880m after done of the scariest scree traversing I have ever done and then performed a rapid descent of 1500m to our camp for the night. The highlight of tonight's camp apart from our first beers in a week was the promise of a shower! For the hefty price of 200somme (£2.80) we could have a hot shower. Myself and the three lads (we lost Martin to sickness a couple of days ago) enter the...