Hello, Borat

Today we needed an early start, but all the best laid plans … rose at 6am, but by the time we retrieved and packed the bikes, it was gone 7am as we left. We had a long ride to Atyrau today, but the major issue was the Kazakhstan border and the unknown waiting time. Add to that, was the unpredictable road surface.

About 30 minutes later, we suddenly get to a floating bridge.... and you had to pay a toll. I had left all my last Roubles in the room for the cleaner ! Fortunately Jeremy was not so generous, and still had some. It was a strange feeling crossing the water with the “road” moving underneath you.

Next the border … pushed to the front of the relatively small queue as we do, and got ushered through by the guards. As sociable as they seem, don't even try to take a photo  that's a big no, no! 

It's a strange system, you clear Russia, then get given a tiny 25 x 50mm scrap of recycled paper with a stamp on ...and told not to lose it.

Then you ride about 5 mins to the crest of a bridge where there is a Russian guard one side, and a Kazakh guard the other. At this height, the wind is blowing hard, so you very carefully look for that scrap of paper, shielding the wind with everything possible. I don't know the consequences if it blew away … maybe you would be trapped in a no-mans land and perish slowly in the heat.

Approaching the border...

And we are in.

I give him my slip, ride across the bridge, and the reverse occurs the other side. We then enter Kazakhstan formally, and after buying insurance and changing a little money, the whole process took a relatively quick, 2 hours.

 And within 500 mtrs, the first Police check. More checking, more smiles, but I think at least this one didn't ask for money.

Rode through some villages, expecting to see Borat at any time, and then we came across camels … bloody loads of them. A bit like the New Forest I suppose … they just wander anywhere and everywhere.

Got to Atyrau and this is another hotel where they can't get their GPS co-ordinates right … OK, only 500 mts out, but that's a long way when you are tired, hot, and fighting rush hour traffic. Fortunately our “little boys lost” look worked well, and an English speaking chap (who turned out to be the Service Mgr at the main Subaru dealership) knew the hotel, and offered to lead the way. Outside the hotel, we said thanks and I took his business card …. usually I would have chucked it, but for some reason, kept it …. and guess what … it came in useful later on !

Showered up, we changed some money, eat in the hotel, and I think we were both glad of an early night.