OnTheRoad

From the Pakistan, "the Land of the Pure", through the Valley of Blood, to the China, Middle Kingdom, the epic completion of our Karakorum travels. From the Pakistani border at Sost, the Karakorum Highway winds through ever tighter gorges, climbing up towards the Khunjerab ("Valley of Blood") Pass to the Chinese border. From the top of the pass, the change in landscape from Pakistan to China is more clearly marked than the border is. From stark, dry rock gorges and savage peaks, the valley heading into China from the pass is wide, with softer, rounded mountains reaching to the sky above them. Along the valley centre, lush green grass, studded with camels, abounds. White yurts nestle along the valley edge.

The last few days in Pakistan were passed peacefully, and lazily, relaxing in Passu, just 35km from the border at Sost. We managed a little hiking, but this ongoing sickness has left me with little energy for climbing mountains at high altitude (or stairs at low altitude, for that matter). They do have some particularly adventurous bridges, however; check the photos from Passu.

In China, we've moved as rapidly as our illness allows; some days just have to be spent in bed, really. First stop, Tashkurgan, quickly through to Kashgar and then off on the marathon 24 hour bus trip towards Urumqi, diverted at the last moment to Turpan. From here to Hami, an overnight stop only, and onwards to Dunhuang, before jumping again to Jaiyuguang. Due to a lack of tickets (student holidays) we abused ourselves with a 20 hour train trip, sleeperless, to Xi'an. So hopefully we'll be able to rest for a few days and enjoy the many sights, including the Army of the Terracotta Warriors.

I'm avoiding posting too many updates, but you can drop by any time to see where I am (the travel section is almost always up to date. I also put up photos more often than posts; check the location photos to see what's been updated recently.