Kazakhstan 2009 Romanian Expedition

Day 13, 14.08.09

Route:  camping on the isthmus between North and South Aral Sea– Korkaral – Aqbasti – camping near the ship cemetery from the Qulandi Peninsula

No.km: 131

Kokaral Heights

That happens with some cars…

Aqbasti- village invaded by  sand dunes

We stop to ask for information on road.

Meanwhile we take some photos of young Kazakhs.

Crossig  the dunes  from the end of the village

The same dunes

 The village’s cemetery almost buried by dunes

The buried cemetery

Crescent on the top of graves

Lunch break – because of the strong sun, at noon we have to shelter under a sheet bounded between the two cars.

 

The  South Aral Sea

The  former  shoreline of the Southern Aral

Stop for photos

The team

 We arrive at one of the ship cemeteries.

We only find  some scraps and a working dismantling what was left.

It’s working on cutting and dismantling the ships.

A few kilometers away we finally find ships in one pice,  due to  swampy soil.

 

And of course, willing to approach the ships,  we break the dry salt crust and we manage to stuck.

First the Suzuki… then the  Nissan trying to pull the Suzuki.

So we have some work to do…

Girls are quickly mobilizing and using  grandmother’s  hoe  managed to raise a good amount of herbs.

With herbs, airjack and cans placed under the wheels, we succed to unstuck the cars one by one.

At the night fall we were still working.

Day 14, 15.08.09

Route:  camping near the ship cemetery from the Qulandi penisnsula – Bozoy – Sorqudiq – Begimbet  – steppe camping

No.km: 190

Morning on the bottom of  Aral

The camp

Camels and ship

Wrecked ship

Our team

 Just a few kilometers from the spot where we camped, there  was a well (drilling) with salt water, which animals and local people consumed.

We help a local to start his  motorcycle which ran out of power.

We continue the route, cross the dunes, disturbing the horses

…and the camels…

Friendly old ladies

Two kind people

Following the earth track

The evening  catch us on the road, we camp in the steppe,  we celebrate Maria.

 

Day 15, 16.08.09

Route:  steppe camping – Shalqar – Embi – steppe camping

No.km: 317

The camp in the morning

 

We head to Shalqar

Stop for photos

 Steppe photographer :)

Clouds and cars

We cross the Mughaljar Hills

Another night in the steppe.