Finally we reached the end of the first China leg on 1. June. Exiting China was less dramatic but also lengthy as we were asked where we have been in China and it looked like the one immigration officer for the drivers of the busses was a bit overwhelmed to process two Indonesians and one German on motorcycles. Finally we left China and 100 meters further down Kazakhstan officers were greeting us friendly, telling us we needed to bring the top bags to the x-ray, going through immigration and customs again. All very friendly, but also a bit confusing. When we finally reached the final gate, we were told, we missed one stamp on the process paper and we had to go back to customs where we realised we missed the one room where we get the TIP (temporary Import Permit). The officer even spoke German to my surprise, all friendly all good. 6 hours later we crossed the last gate and off we went on another dessert highway, dunes left and right. While we started in sunshine from the hotel, in the meantime it became cloudy and light rain started, still within the range of not needing the rain jacket. We stopped at the first petrol station, and to our positive surprise, our credit cards worked, I filled the tank and we had some cookies for lunch before we went back on the highway after also saying good bye, as I planned to reach Almaty and the Indonesians planned to reach a famous canyon somewhere between. The rain kicked in shortly after, I just had enough time to stop and get the rain jacket out to keep dry and warm, when the rain came down and the road got flooded with a sad looking dessert around. I reached the tail end of another Chinese (BMW) motorcycles group who crossed to Kazakhstan shortly before us and were also on the way to Almaty. So we went on, keeping a reasonable speed, with very little traffic on the highway. They finally stopped and I kept going alone. After a while I could see the horizon got brighter and some 30 minutes later the rain turned into a drizzle and then stopped all together and the sun came out through a cloudy sky. By that time, I also got closer to Almaty, was sent through some connecting roads onto another highway and traffic got thicker and then stopped. Took me another 45 minutes to get to the road where the hotel was located, only to realize, the road was closer for roadrepair works and I could not get to the hotel. As it was a narrow street, I kept driving until I found’ a place to stop and to check on alternative hotels in the area, when a big M class Mercedes stopped behind me and a young man jumped out and asked if I needed help. I explained the situation and told him that I was already hours on the road and simply nerd a hotel. He immediately offered his help to arrange things and I should follow him. 10 minutes later we turned into the car park of a nice hotel and after he spoke with the receptionist I had a nice room. The hospitality of the Kazak people have no limits I can say. We exchanged WhatsApp contacts and while we had not a chance for dinner, we stayed and will stay in contact. He himself is driving two Ducati Sport Bikes and we exchanged the typical biker Pictures and stories. What a great start to experience Almaty, an absolute first class city, green , orderly, chic, extremely friendly and helpful. So many people and drivers greeted and asked where I’m from and where I’m going on the bike. The last two days I drove the bike to a recommended workshop for an inspection and computer read out, all as expected and it should be. The guys had been so friendly to invite me for lunch and we exchanged WhatsApp again. They also helped me to store a bag with my drone, which I will keep here as Uzbekistan is strictly not allowing drones and some other small gear I will not need for the next weeks, before I’m coming back to Almaty to park the bike here and to fly home for a short family vacation at home and then back to get on my last leg through my second China leg driving back home. I also received confirmation that the new set of Heidenau tires are in Osh with Zorro Moto and my seat on the China group is also confirmed.
Unfortunately, the two Indonesians had a hard time to reach the canyon on muddy dirt roads and yesterday they messaged me, that one of them needed new clutch disks, which also means a longer delay in Almaty and we need to see if we can start the Pamir Highway together as planned.
Today I’m off to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Another 5 hour trip on desert/steppe highway and a B-day (border day).
Will report
Chic cafés and restaurants, Almaty is an absolute first class city.
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