Kazakhstan 2009 Romanian Expedition

Day 7, 08.08.09  

Route:  Ganyushkino – Aqqistaw – Atiraw – Dossor – Maquat  

No.km: 390  

   

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 Ganiushkino Motel  

  

We headed cheerfully to the police  office for registration. There we are told that the procedure is more complicated  than expected and unfortunately we must go for registration in a raion/district centre.  

  

We head Atiraw. First camel on the road. We stop for photos.  

  

 Muslim cemetery  

  

Muslim graves  

  

Refuelling from Kaz Munay

  

We arrive in Atiraw. We cannot register because it’s Saturday and the registration office  is closed. We make some friends.  

  

Church in Atiraw  

  

 Atiraw Downtown  

  

Kazakh village  

  

School  

  

Dossor  

  

The only fueling station with diesel in Maqat  

  

We are welcomed in Maqat  

  

Motel in Maqat  

  

 Delux room, with bathroom but without water. For 2000 tenghe we are promised that we will have water for half an hour. Cold water, of course.  

Day 8, 09.08.09  

Route:  Maquat – Bayghanin – Shubarqudiq – Quandaghash  

No.km: 413  

  

Maquat  

  

Maquat  

  

We are looking for the exit to  Qandagash/Aktobe  

  

All the cars are driving on the steppe road. We are still looking for a asphalt road, road which is marked with red on the map (main road).

  

We find an asphalt road, but it leads us to the gate of a refining station

  

Eventually we find an asphalt road. It doesn’t take us long to figure out why everyone follows the steppe path.

  

So, we dare to get off the asphalt road (which is used just as landmark) and we follow the earth track.

  

  

The trucks are comfortable here…

  

Already adapting

  

A steppe fox ( Corsac Fox -  Vulpes corsac)

  

We let  a Kamaz  pass 

  

We “compete” with the Kamazs.  

  

Refuelling  

  

Settlment  

  

Approaching Qandagash 

  

The team is in high spirits 

     

It’s getting dark. We are still on the road.

  

We find accommodation in Quandaghash.

 

We take two rooms, a deluxe one (for the bathroom) and a regularl one (4 beds). There is water, but only cold water. 

   

Day 9, 10.08.09

Route:  Quandaghash – Aqtobe – Kromtau – Quarabutaq – Jurin – steppe camping

No.km: 374

  

Block of flats  in Qandaghash  

  

Square in Aqtobe  

  

Aqtobe  

  

We are at the Police headquarters in Aqtobe for registration. Any foreign must register with the police within 5 days from the date entering Kazakhstan. Theoretically the procedure can be completed in any locality, practically only in the district centres. In the small towns they don’t want to trouble or they just don’t know the procedure.

Group photo with 4 Americans competing in Mongol Rally 2009, in front of the registration centre.  

  

Steppe horses 

  

Village near Qarabutah  

  

We camp

  

First night sleeping on the steppe.