Elaman meets the horsemen who were going to demonstrate how 
"Kok Boru" is played. Known in Afghanistan as Buzkashi, it a game played with two teams of horsemen competing to take possession of a carcass of a goat or a calf and depositing it in a bin to consider a goal being scored. The number of players in each team can vary and is not fixed.

 

Start of the game with six housemen charging to take possession of the carcass. There is someone on horseback who acts as the umpire. Kok Boru is part of the World Nomad Games celebrating Central Asian and nomadic heritage. It was last held in Aug/Sep this year In Kyrgyzstan.

In addition to the game, other horse-riding skills were displayed. Wrestling on horseback is one. For this, the horse plays its part too by blocking the other hose when the players tussle for the carcass.

The carcass of a goat used for the game. The head and its hooves are removed. It is not unusual that after a game, the carcass is cooked and shared among the players believing the meat is better tenderized by the heaving and hoofing.

After the game, it was off to the home of an enterprising villager for lunch. Elaman and our driver are tucking in. You see salads, bread and cheese, sort of starters before the main dish

Nearby the Burana Tower we visited another site which housed a Silk Road city in the past. These are the foundations of what was a Nestorian church.

When we arrived at our destination for a stay in a yurt camp, we found out the camp was new and owned by the boss of the company taking care of us. A Japanese from another group is starting the process of planting a Sakura tree. Later, I was invited to cut the ribbon with the Japanese tour leader, 

Part of the youth yurt camp with the Ala Too Mountains in the background. In front is Issyk Kul (lake) which is also called "Hot Lake" as it doesn't freeze in winter. The lake is 182 km long, 60 km wise with a depth reaching 1,607m. It is the second largest salt lake in the World after Lake Titicaca in S America.  

Yurts (Gur in Mongolian) are set in a cluster of three.

It being the opening ceremony, a family of local entertainers, 
with a baby in tow, was engaged to perform for us.

 

The bedroom is not included in a traditional yurt where the whole family sleeps on mattresses on the floor. Alas, this is luxury in the camp with both air-con and heater and an en suite toilet and cloakroom to boot!

This a called a Tunduk which is essential for air circulation.

Near the youth camp lies Skazka Canyon aka Fairy Tale Canyon. In the background is Issyk Kul.

The colour of the rocks here is like that of Charyn Canyon, They are vivid in red, yellow and orange.

Vast expense of canyon to be explored. Good spot to hike with many formations resembling castles, dragons and even the Great Wall of China. The canyon got its English name as "Skazka" in Russian stands for fairy tale.