There is practically nothing worth writing about today, except that the monotony of the semi-desert/steppe was broken by lines of trees either side of the road which were presumably planted to prevent snow drift onto the road in winter. There was a short break as vehicles on our side of the road were held up by the burnt out (and still smoking) carcass of a large truck which had caught fire. I think the drivers got out because two blokes were talking to the police. After many many miles without a parking place we came to a massive lorry park where we had a half-desent meal in a truckers caff and a very nice latte in an adjacent coffee bar. The traffic has been horrendous with huge numbers of lorries. I don’t remember it being so busy six years ago when we travelled on this road and I suspect that Kazakh lorries are shipping goods from Russia to China and back.
The hideous Golden Palace restaurant at Khromtau. It closes at 20.00, presumably because they don’t want any lorry drivers coming from the massive truck park next door.
Eating in the truck park
Nice notice at the coffee house.