Blizzardboy | A Kiwi in Australia

Well autumn is definitely here, the mornings are crisp and it is a lot like Christchurch at the same time of year.

Haven’t posted here for a while. Had about a month off work and thus little internet access – strangely dint miss it – so I kind of got out of the habit. No promises that I will write more though:)

Since I last posted I have been back across China to Dandong for my friends Ray and Sues wedding. Met up with my wife again there after a month apart. Had a lovely time, the wedding was wonderful and Dandong really is a very nice place to be. With North Korea just over the river it provides an intriguing contrast of cultures.

Then back here to Korla, which is about 8 hours by bus south of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. We flew back as I thought I had work, however it turned out I dint. Then a few days here and off again, this time south across the Talakaman desert to celebrate my birthday in a small, a very small town called Ruo Chang (AFAICR) very peaceful and very rural.

Then along the edge of the desert to a place called Chie Mo where we visited a local museum, recently set up, located in an old Uighyr house. Interesting to see how they live. Then out to see some mummies at the site of their excavation. 2 mummies there – a husband and wife – and the husband was my height and the wife was my wifes! Strange coincidence. The tallest mummy excavated there was 1 meter 90.

We had a little play in the desert in 4WD’s which was a first. One of them got stuck and they tried to tow it out using number 8 fencing wire, which of course has no slack, and snapped several times before they gave up.

Found a restaurant there with a sink for a toilet. Did wonder how to use it and where to wash my hands! Very clean though.

Back across the desert – would recommend the road from Korla to Chie Mo. First time to see the rolling dunes of a desert going on and on into the desert, crossing by camel was something I had wanted to do, but now it seems rather tedious! However by bus it was pretty cool. Didn’t get to Hotan but if you are heading this way then that would be a good way to go, down from Korla to Chie Mo for a day then across to Hotan for a couple of days then up to Kashgar.

Off tomorrow to see the autumn colours in the desert. But no major trips planned in the near future. We were planning to head down the karkoram highway into Pakistan next spring but with the earthquake that hit last week we may have to change our plans and maybe head to Turkey. Anything is possible.