About Me
A little about Carly......
Chasing Visas in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Organising, coordinating and actually getting visas is one the most problematic, time-consuming and frustrating things about traveling in Central Asia. My visa dramas started in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. From the tranquil valley of Tash Rabat I headed to Bishkek to start organising my visas for the rest of my Central Asian travels. It
Traveling in China: ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’
Traveling in China is fascinating and frustrating. There is so much that is interesting and wonderful about the country, but there’s also some not so great things about it. Here’s my list of the ‘good, the bad and the ugly’ of traveling in China. Remember to bring oodles of patience and an open mind when
Across the Mountains: Travelling the Torugart Pass From China to Kyrgyzstan
The Torugart Pass is the classic Silk Road route from infamous Kashgar in far western China into Kyrgyzstan. The pass is notoriously difficult as it is high in the Tian Shan mountains (3,752m) and sometimes snow closes the road. This border is also considered a special crossing. Meaning it has extra security needs and as a
Travels in the Troubled Province of Xinjiang: Kashgar
In the months leading up to my travels in China the far western province of Xinjiang had been rocked by a number of attacks. From bombs to stabbings and more recently the killing of the iman outside his mosque in Kashgar. It was disturbing and concerning news. I was understandably nervous about travelling in the
Of Grapes and Ruins: Turpan (12 August 2014 – 14 August 2014)
Since leaving Xian I’d travelled predominantly by night train. This was definitely convenient but by the time I reached Turpan in Xinjiang, over 2,300 kms from Xian, I felt I had no concept of the distance I’d travelled as I’d slept through it! Despite that it was absolutely clear I’d travelled a long way since
Sand Dunes and Caves of Treasure on the Silk Road: Dunhuang (9 August 2014 – 11 August 2014)
I looked out at the scene in front of me, speechless. Yes, the sand dunes were impressive but that wasn’t what had left me speechless. Instead it was all of the Chinese tourists walking around in bright orange plastic covers to protect their shoes from sand, and it was the long line of hundreds of
The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven: Jiayuguan (7 August – 9 August 2014)
Heading further west across China stands the ‘First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven’ set on a stony plain between two mountain ranges . A great fort which in the past marked the westernmost limits of civilisation of imperial China. Beyond the fort were tribes who harassed the Chinese empire as well as the forbidding Taklamakan
A Glimpse of Tibet: Xiahe & Labrang Monastery (3 August – 6 August 2014)
Nestled in the mountains of southern Gansu province lies a small town called Xiahe. As soon as I got off the bus at Xiahe I immediately felt like I was somewhere different and not so Chinese. On the main street there were many Tibetans with large coats folded down and tied at their waist and
Xian: A Food Journey
Join me in Xian a food journey!! Xian’s Muslim quarter is full of colourful, interesting food and simply interesting things to see. It was an absolutely fascinating place to wander around and an even better place to eat!
The Silk Road Begins: Xian
I was excited to have reached Xian. Today Xian is a big, modern Chinese city but formerly it was known as Chang’an and this was the beginning of the Silk Road (or the end depending on your direction of travel). As my plan is to travel the Silk Road it now felt like my journey