Lake Song Kul, the 2nd highest alpine lake in the world at just over 3,000 metres was our last main stop in Kyrzgstan and the site for the most bizarre things we have ever seen (not just on this trip!). Camp was set up in the middle of nowhere next to the lake, the locals who live in yurts in the summer were close by and we had a lot of visitors over the next few days. Pete, Dennis and Erkin (our guide) set off to the nearest yurt and arranged a game of Goat Polo, which was unfortunate to Pete and Erkins’s stomach after having to drink some of the “kumys” or fermented horse milk…..mmm bubbly milk.

For those who are unfamiliar with the world of Goat Polo, basically a goat us beheaded and its legs chopped off and this is used as a ball I suppose. Each team consists of 2 horses and a carpet is placed somewhere on the ground and this is the goal, that’s about the extent of the rules. Wrestling, punching and biting are all part of the game, there are no boundaries so onlookers should be aware of the players running towards them who have no intention to stop! Dragoman, who we bumped into previously were nearby so they also popped along to watch the game.

Song Kul was also the venue for the “Bad Taste” fancy dress party, all names are put into a hat and it’s a top secret operation is put into place to find the worst costume you can. I was lucky enough to be given possibly the gayest outfit ever (lycra hot pants and a backless hoody vest) whereas Katie got off rather lightly with a long flowing crinkly skirt and a bright pink top. Ben however looked rather like a lady boy with his swimsuit dress and tights (thanks to Katie), Kylie and Heather went to some effort making a fetching super-woman costume and a bumble bee costume for their person.

We celebrated our anniversary on the 1st July by having an early start as we started winding our way towards the Torugart pass for our final Kyrgy bushcamp before our cross over into China. It was roughly a 12 hour border crossing the next day as the section of China we are heading through is well of the tourist route. We made it through fine though with only a few minor hiccups as the emergency supply of condensed milk, spam and fancy sausage was confiscated as they obviously posed a high risk to national security, but the peanut butter was saved!