Taklamakan Desert

Our guide Lun is restricted in what he can allow us to do but he is trying very hard to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience here in China.  He has allowed the six motorcycles some leeway.  He provides us with maps and rendezvous points and we head off on our own.  The two trucks are slower.

Jon has Lun with him in his Toyota Land Cruiser.  Jon has taken on the role of liaison and spokesperson.  Thank you Jon - it makes sense as he has all day with Lun and the opportunity to discuss things.  Vaughan and Kimberley have an ex-army Iveco truck converted into a camper.

Departing Kashgar was simple enough as there is only one road that goes into the Taklamakan desert.  For much of the way there was nothing to draw my attention but occasionally there would be an adobe village where people farm.  Tough life I can only imagine.  Plenty of camels roaming free.

It was very hot initially but then the wind picked up and before long we were in a think dust storm.  It was like riding in a blast furnace.  The bikes travelling in line were unable to see one another once the storm hit us full force.  I got seriously sand blasted without a windscreen.  Needed the dermal-abrasion treatment - look so much younger.

We have two days camping in the Taklamakan - hope conditions improve because I don't know that I will be able to anchor the tent to the sand.