Riding in Almaty is a nightmare. Normally calm friendly Kazakhs become lunatics when they get behind the wheel of a car. Went across the city today to visit a mechanic in his workshop. Almost taken out twice by motorists who just did not care that I was there. I saw 3 fender bender accidents in a 10km ride, but that is normal here.

Next week heading for the crossing to Kyrgyzstan near the China border then round lake Issyk Kul and on to Som Kul. First 300km tarmac then gravel and eventually off road. Going to be fun.