Ever wondered what 33 parrots lying down would look like? According to Kyrgyzstan it’s this… 33 Parrots Pass on the route up to Son Kul lake at 3060m above sea level. Those switchbacks, some of which are quite tight in a 9.5m long truck, take you up almost 600m of elevation gain before spitting you out on an alpine plateau with Kyrgyzstan’s second largest lake in the middle of it. #overlandlife #borderlessliving

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #7 Lake Song Kul, Kyrgyztan, sits at an altitude of 3016m (9,895ft.) It is the largest freshwater later in the country. And second largest lake overall after Issyk Kul (which is slightly brackish due to evaporation.) Descending from Song Kul is a feast for the eyes. You begin on the alpine plateau before winding your way down a series of incredible dirt track hairpins gradually getting down to the tree line where towering stands of pine trees cover the landscape, with yurts nestled in between them - a far less brutal summer homestead than those up on the plateau. Further down the pines give way to deciduous trees and eventually, after descending about 1.5km in vertical height, you return to the low trees and scrub land. #borderlessliving #kyrgyzstan #overlandlife

Meet the family! You already know the home (truck) so now you should know who’s in it. This is us :-)

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #6 The Barksoon Valley might be a name you’ve heard of… if you’re interested in the history of space travel. Why I hear you ask? Because after Yuri Gagarin launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in current-day Kazakhstan, he landed back to earth and then travelled to this valley in current-day Kyrgyzstan to recuperate. With the clear mountain air, glorious forests and huge waterfalls, not to Mention the views back over Issyk-Kul to the mountains that separate Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan you can see why you’d want to hang out there after being the first man in space. #travelfacts #kyrgyzstan #livefree

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #5 The Canyon of Forgotten Rivers is an incredible geological formation of wind and water carved sedimentary rocks winding down to the Issyk Kul lake. Some of the canyons are big enough to drive our big truck through, others only to ride a bike, yet more only to walk through. It makes for an otherworldly landscape that changes from rich reds to golden yellows as the light changes. And in some parts there are incredible tracks up over the top of them leading to stunning vistas with the snow capped Celestial Mountains in the background. #borderlessliving #livefree

Today we drove 213km. We lost a wheel rim clip. (Quite important!) We lost two traction boards. (Also quite important) We nearly ran out of fuel. (Actually also pretty important!) But it was an adventure! All this despite the fact we were driving on a “main” road. Thing is, “main” roads in Kyrgyzstan hit a little different…

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #4 How can you not fall in love with a place that looks like this and has so much space and freedom? If you have any desire for adventure and wild spaces, this should be top of your hit list.

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #3 Suyek pass between Karasay and Lake Arabel. 4030m above sea level with glaciers sitting in the valleys either side. #alternativeliving #borderlesslife #livefree

We’ve been in convoy with the Troopy for the last couple of weeks. But yesterday we got some other visitors too! Parked up a little over 3000m next to lake Son Kul, a motorbike sidled over. It was windy and they saw us and thought they come and say hi and take shelter next to the truck for 10minutes before moving on. The following morning they were still there having pitched their tent. We spent all afternoon chatting about the road and experiences, making food together and eating in the truck out of the way of the passing rain shower and wind. This is one aspect of overlanding we love - meeting fellow travellers, swapping stories and advice and hints of places to go. If you had to choose motorbike and tent, Troopy, or our big blue for your overland adventures, what do you pick? #overlanding #livefree

Welcome to all you new followers, thanks for joining the journey! To give you the 101 intro, this is our home on wheels. An ex British Army truck upcycled in to an overland truck for us to travel the world as a family. The family is me (Dave), my wife (Jess), our four year old daughter (Isla) and our five year old Hungarian Vizsla (Otis). We’ve lived in the truck since Isla was 8 months old. But this longer trip began in January 2024 when we left England. We’re now in Kyrgyzstan and getting close to starting the infamous Pamir Highway, the second highest drivable road in the world. Common questions: Isla has so far visited 25 countries. No, we’re not sponsored. Yes, Isla will be homeschooled. No, we’re not independently wealthy. Yes, I still work (professional photographer.) No, she’s not very fuel efficient compared to a car. No, I can’t think of a better way of living life and spending time together as a family. Yes, it’s worth the challenges. No, life’s problems don’t go away. No, those wheels are not light (180kg each.) Yes, I’d love borderless currency to be more widely accepted. Welcome along for the ride! Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. #livefree #seetheworld #borderlesscurrency #borderlessliving

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #2 We were driving today, along what is quite possibly one of the best tracks we’ve ever driven in terms of scenery, and discussing what it will be like going back to Europe. I’ve been lucky enough to visit 105 countries so far and nothing, NOTHING, compares to Kyrgyzstan. All being well we won’t be back in europe for more than a year though, so still plenty of time! 😅

Postcards from Kyrgyzstan #1 The light, the scenery, the space, the scale. Kyrgyzstan is on a different level to anywhere we’ve been before.

GN Nostr 🌅 Enjoy this triptych of a huge braided river valley from the air near Kara-Say, Kyrgyzstan. #earthfromabove

If Kyrgyzstan isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. 4028m high Suyek Pass linking Karasay to Lake Arabel. #overlandlife #livefree #overlandfamily

Name a more naturally beautiful country than Kyrgyzstan. I’ll wait. #exploremore #centralasia