GM Nostr 🌅 Following on from yesterday’s post that Kyrgystan might be the most naturally beautiful country I’ve yet visited, I present more evidence. Also, spot the yurt in this one… what a spectacular place to have a summer grazing house. And the family are really lovely… inviting us in for dinner with them last night! 🥰 Kara Buura, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 #overlandlife #livefree #alternativeliving #seetheworld

I think I’m calling it now. Not even three days in. I’ve been to 105 countries so far. Kyrgyzstan might just be the most naturally beautiful yet. Sorry Bhutan, sorry New Zealand, sorry Iceland, Norway, Sweden…. I think you’ve all gone down a peg. But I’m gonna spend another month here just to be sure. You know, got to do solid research and all. 👌 #alternativelife #overlanding #exploremore #worldtravel

We have been in Kyrgyzstan about 48hrs and I can tell you already it is epic. I think we’re going to enjoy our time here if these first couple of days are anything to go by. #livefree #overlandlife #kyrgyzstan #overlandfamily #karabuurapass

GE Nostr 🌅 Crossed from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan yesterday. Today, heading for some cooler temps in the mountains we had this little bit of fun to navigate! #lifeoffroad #livefree #alternativelifestyle

Parked in seemingly the middle of nowhere and late at night this guy turns up. He’s a shepherd with a flock somewhere roaming. We get to chatting (through google translate) and I offer him some whisky…. Three large swigs later and the conversation became more… animated! But in a positive way. He’d not had whisky before, so I had to caution not to drink too much lest he fell off his donkey later 🤣 Oh, and his name is… Borat. Thankfully he wasn’t in a Mankini. We’d been told about the drunk locals appearing from nowhere in Kazakhstan, but felt we were missing out… well, we can tick that box now! I should point out that we don’t drink. We carry some bottles of whisky to use as “palm greasers” if we need to, or to give out to nice folks we meet along the way. #overlandlife #meetthelocals

When you travel extensively, unless you’re a polyglot, Google translate is your best friend in a foreign supermarket. Though sometimes it throws up some amazing translations. This bread looked great. Right up until we pointed google translate at it 🤣 #travelchallenges #alternativelifestyle

GN Nostr 🌅 Well that was unexpected about half an hour before sunset when the sky was full of cloud and the sun was invisible. 😍 #livefree #overlandlife

In one week we’ve managed to take a massive gouge out of one tyre and develop a rather dangerous bulge in the sidewall of a second. So that’s two roadside wheel changes I’ve had to do and a hunt for new boots all round in Kazakhstan. When I tell you each wheel/tyre combo weighs 180kg and each tyre in Europe is about £850… 😱 fortunately not that expensive here in Kazakhstan, but still replacing 5 tyres at £330 each does not make for an enjoyable “shopping” trip! Feel free to send sats! 🤣 Doesn’t she look good with her new boots though… #sendsats #overlandlife #tryandlivefree

Just can’t get enough of this mountain river we’re parked next to, so we had to wade over today for a fun family portrait. #livefree #alternativeliving #travellinglife

It’s so nice here, why would we not stay another night? And maybe even another night? 🤔 After 1700km through the Kazakh steppe in temperatures up to 40degrees, the cooler mountain air is a welcome respite. And for the first time since we left Georgia we’re properly relaxing again. #livefree #alternativeliving

GN Nostr 🌅 We spent yesterday hiding from the 40 degree heat in Shymkent and decided today we had to get out… so we’ve headed 70km south east towards the mountains and some more elevation, where it’s 10 degrees cooler and there’s a breeze… but it kind looks like we’ve teleported ourselves to the Alps! The steppe is seemingly endless, but Kazakhstan is so massive the variety of landscapes is pretty impressive. Think we’ll probably stay here another night or two just chilling… literally and metaphorically! #overlandhaven #endlessexploration #alternativeliving

GN Nostr 🌅 Here’s the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi from a different, night time, perspective. Turkestan, Kazakhstan. #overlandexploration #seetheworld #alternativeliving

GM Nostr 🌅 From the steppe to one of the ancient Silk Road cities - Turkistan - and this, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. A spectacular building, understandably with strong echos to many of the Samarquand land marks, especially Gur Emir. It’s definitely worth visiting, but right now is under heavy restoration inside, so the main hall, with the huge bronze kazan can only be seen by looking through a door. #silkroad #ancientwealth #traderoute #alternativelifestyle

GM Nostr 🌅 Waking up to wild horses wandering through a lake was not something we had on our Kazakhstan bingo sheet but here we are! #overlandlife #surprisingexploration #alternativelifestyle

GE Nostr 🌇 Here’s a travelling tip… how do you know when a policeman is going to try and bribe you? When they ask you to get out of the vehicle and go to the back after they’ve covered over your rear view camera! Needless to say he didn’t get a bribe. As soon as I uncovered the camera he suddenly wanted nothing more to do with us and waved us on our way! 🤣 #overlandlife #centralasianadventures #overlandingfamily

GM Nostr! Waking up to. Georgian wildflower meadow is certainly a good start to the day! #lifeontheroad #alternativeliving

GM Nostr 🌅 This the the Zekari Pass in Georgia. Found in the Lower Caucus mountains it connects the historical spa town Sairme (famous for delightful hot springs and a spa complex) and Abastumani, home of the Russian Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, third son of Emperor Alexander III. It’s also home to the first astrophysical observatory of the Soviet Union, found in the early 1930s. And you can even take a tour there and see the original Zeiss telescope from 1935, that still functions! Very worth the couple of euro admission price. #alternativelifestyle #decentralisedliving #overlandfamily

GM Nostr 🌅 I have a feeling Otis was thinking “Dad, I didn’t sign up for sitting, cold and wet, on a rock in a glacial outflow river!” 🤣 (Still looked handsome though!) #alterntivelifestyle #dogontheroad #offroadlife

GE Nostr 🌅 Well this parking spot was not terrible. Figured since the last family pic didn’t have Otis in, we needed to do another one. Shkhara Glacier giving us a rather delightful background. #familytravel #overlandfamily #georgia

GE Nostr 👋 Anyone know what’s going on in Georgia? Today I asked in two more places that are listed in @BTC Map as taking payment with Lightning and both of them said they don’t - Smart Market and Wissol Fuel station. I’d understand an error here or there, but I’m currently 0-4 and it feels like maybe there’s been a shift? I’m going to keep hunting, but in the meantime, anyone any insight? (Yes, I updated the listings on BTC Map) #stillnotquiteshoppingwithsats