Chui Oblast Tokmok and Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan

Days trips from Bishkek.

Tokmok was close by and on our way to Issyk Kul and Naryn. Tokmok is well known for the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret.

Tokmok

Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.
Tokmok. We had one test here.
Tokmok and Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan.
Here is the Burana Tower.
Tokmok and Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan.
Remnants of an old castle.

Kara Balta

Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Kara Balta was a secret Soviet city. Kara Balta did not exist on maps until the fall of the Soviet Union. This town had some great streets.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Parts were more beautiful then in Bishkek.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Great paved streets.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
No idea what this is.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Government building in Kara Balta.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
More great paved streets.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Best behaved students in all of Kyrgyzstan.
Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Smile! These "kids" must be in their early 30s now.

Reflection

Not much I remember about these two trips. They were too close to Bishkek. In Kara Balta, I remember that we hurried to make it back to Bishkek before it got dark.