Yes, if last week was a week where I saw snowstorms, this week was all about sandstorms. We were travelling through the Gobi desert this week.

It was a week of Bad Karma too:

Someone sick (namely, me!); Car stuck with a huge stone underneath; One of the car’s wheel just kept on deflating; A fuel wire blocked; A side-view mirror fell off; 2 punctures! Phew!

Day 40 & 41: Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Western China

Great Wall of China –   ✅

Today was unimaginable! We walked on top of the great wall of China.

This pic was halfway to the top!

The wind was blowing at 20mph (felt like 120mph), so that was not great, but it made the experience different.

Interesting fact about the Great Wall of China: It was made by the dynasties to protect themselves from others, including the Mongolians.

We were now driving on the Silk Route, which was a way to trade in the old ages. They would sell carpet, fur and lots of other items. So this was the route we were travelling on and that is also why we went to these caves, the following day.

Now, let me make the connection between the caves and the silk route. Because of the silk route, Buddhism spread across China. Small caves were made and designed with intricate detailing by the Buddhists. These caves were their place of tranquility and  for meditation. These paintings could have been only made with the finest of brushes. Unfortunately, no pictures could be taken.

Day 52: Hami, Xinjiang Province, Western China

We were innocent, I’m sure!

There were many police officers in Hami. Since we were nearing the Kyrgyzstan border and it is a popular place for terrorism, so there were lots of police guarding the city. After a long day’s drive, we went for a short walk and were waiting to cross the road.

“ID card?”, a policeman (in fact, 2 policemen) asked.

Fortunately, Nana brought his; but, unfortunately, not ours. They escorted us to the POLICE STATION! We really needed our guide, Andy to help us out, as no one at the police station spoke English! Luckily, Nana was carrying his spare phone (Oh, did I mention that Nana lost his main phone a few days ago!) Our guide talked to the police in their local language and all was sorted. I haven’t visited a police station in England, but I have been escorted to one in China ✅!

But, definitely no more excitement for now!

Day 43: Turpan, Xinjiang Province, Western China

A minute and remote place is what Turpan is! With grape valleys, mosques; oh and dinosaur skeletons and mummies! (WARNING: Don’t allow small children too see it!)

Day 44: Kuerle, central Xinjiang province, Western China

Not a great start to the day and actually, the end of the day wasn’t good either. I was running a high temperature, had a sore back, threw up more than 9 times. I couldn’t keep my eyes open, couldn’t stand for more than 5 minutes. But, to my luck, it was only a 4 hour drive. The worst part of that journey was having medicine 😭😭😭 .

Day 45: Akeshu, Xinjiang province, Western China

So, today’s drive was only 6 hours. But, we decided to have a stop at a place which is mini ‘Grand Canyon‘ of China. This place was very dusty and pebbly. So, it was not easy to drive. The landscape was something I have never seen before.

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While we were returning, one of the cars went and got themselves stuck over a massive stone. It took us up to 10 o’clock at night to release the car.

Then, there were another 100km to our night halt. So, we reached out hotel at 1.32am (to be precise!)

Day 46 & 47: Kashgar, Xinjiang province, Western China

So, we just travelled on day 46. The next day (day 47), which was our rest day, I binged watched some tv.

Later, we went to the old part of the town. Amazing and beautiful mosques! An oasis city!

And then, we had a farewell dinner!

Can’t believe its our last day in China. 6000km in China ✅!

Good bye, China! Hello, Kyrgyzstan!

Well, we’ve got a tough drive to Kyrgyzstan. Lets have a good night’s sleep.

Thats all for now! See ya!

– Ninni

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