Jane’s travelogue

A family business uploaded on 2 July 2008

This local family runs the traditional yurt-making and handicrafts business in Karakoo

Traditional yurt making in Kara-Koo uploaded on 2 July 2008

One family in Kara-Koo continues the tradition of making yurts, traditional Kyrgyz homes, which they sell to locals (many of whom still spend the summer months in yurts) as well as foreigners. This is their yurt workshop. On the right is a pile of raw wool, which they will turn into felt to make the walls and roofs of various yurts.

The view from over the wall uploaded on 29 June 2008

Bishkek's remaining Russian Orthodox Cathedral, as seen from the sidewalk along Jibek Jolu Street.

On the wall of the Orthodox Church uploaded on 29 June 2008

Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan uploaded on 29 June 2008

Tuz-Kul: Kyrgyzstan's Salt Lake uploaded on 29 June 2008

Come here to bask - and float - in the warm, salty waters which locals believe will cure you of all your ills.

Dusty downtown Kara-Koo uploaded on 18 June 2008

As I wandered the streets of Kara-Koo, these two women asked me to take their picture.

Hot Lake? Really? uploaded on 18 June 2008

Issyk-Kul means 'Hot Lake' in Kyrgyz, but as my friend Joe Scarangella will attest, the name is definitely a misnomer!

The second cataract uploaded on 18 June 2008

The second cataract is stunning, and definitely worth the steep and incredibly difficult climb. Unfortunately, it's difficult to photograph without risking being swept down the side of the mountain!

Katy makes for the second falls uploaded on 18 June 2008

My friend Katy Schuff trudges onward and upward towards the second falls.