The road to the border is quiet. I think most of the traffic passes along the Samara to Oral road, not the Saratov to Oral road that I have ridden. This makes things easier as I cross.
The crossing is fine. Usual queues, windows with guards inside and forms to fill out and then immediately surrender as I cross the dusty bit of no man's land to Kazakhstan. As I ride past the people queuing to go the other way I am greeted with many "Hellos!" I think to myself that Kazakhstan will be a friendly experience. I go to change my remaining Rouble to Tenge, but refuse after being offered a terrible rate. But this is normal. Money changers at border crossings in my opinion usually offer terrible rates. The many man looks grumpy at my refusal. But I don't care. 100km or so down the road is Oral and I am pretty sure I will get a better rate there.
The road to Uralsk Oral for cyclists is smooth, and I have a good tail wind. The plentiful potholes are easily avoided on two wheels and the traffic is light. The kilometers evaporate. Passing cars give me toot and a cheery wave. On the edge of Oral a group of lads stop me in their ancient Lada and fill my bags with fruit! Kazakhstan is definitely going to be friendly!
Oral itself is not the most pretty of cities, but I find a cheap hotel in the centre and stop for the night. Tomorrow I will rest and explore.
The crossing is fine. Usual queues, windows with guards inside and forms to fill out and then immediately surrender as I cross the dusty bit of no man's land to Kazakhstan. As I ride past the people queuing to go the other way I am greeted with many "Hellos!" I think to myself that Kazakhstan will be a friendly experience. I go to change my remaining Rouble to Tenge, but refuse after being offered a terrible rate. But this is normal. Money changers at border crossings in my opinion usually offer terrible rates. The many man looks grumpy at my refusal. But I don't care. 100km or so down the road is Oral and I am pretty sure I will get a better rate there.
The road to Uralsk Oral for cyclists is smooth, and I have a good tail wind. The plentiful potholes are easily avoided on two wheels and the traffic is light. The kilometers evaporate. Passing cars give me toot and a cheery wave. On the edge of Oral a group of lads stop me in their ancient Lada and fill my bags with fruit! Kazakhstan is definitely going to be friendly!
Oral itself is not the most pretty of cities, but I find a cheap hotel in the centre and stop for the night. Tomorrow I will rest and explore.
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