2017/08/28
Day 30: Barnaul - nearby Schemonaicha (Camping)
Yesterday I had a break and I did enjoy it, even thoug I had some work and was busy with sorting photos and so on.
Today at 9:30 I ride to the workshop, where we did change tires and service already before - it's already open, and Andrew arrives a few minuters after me with the tire. I first remove the rear tire and then detach the protection under the motor, so we can make the oil change. Eight screws lying on the ground - not very comfortable. Andrew helps me with the oil change, meanwhile I put on the rear wheel again. When attaching the protection again, I unfortunately turn off a screw. I put the old tires onto the side of the panniers, now I can hardly to get the bike on the main stand alone.
About noon we are ready and can ride on! I will try to ride some distance to get through the border to Kazakhstan. At the turn into the direction of Schemonaicha I buy some stuff in a supermarket, I'm thinking about camping tonight. Bread and small pizza for lunch particle and some sweets - I'm sharing a bounty with two children in front of the supermarket.
Unfortunately, I still have to work, had made a mistake yesterday and sent the wrong file. So I have to look for a place with internet connection of my iPhone ...
On the road to the border there are a few nice lakes, which invite for a stay, but I decide to cross the border. With the Russians it takes only 10 minutes. On the Kazakh side it takes a bit longer. Have to fill out some forms again. Nevertheless: half an hour is fast. Immediately after the border, I take my cash - 8,000 Tenge, which I got from Sara and Dan - and buy an insurance policy. 1,000 Tenge are about 2.50 euros. Probably this insurance isn't really worth to buy, you only need it, when police checks you - but it's a pretty form on which I can not read anything.
I continue to Shemonaikha, get money from an ATM and searching for a hotel. There is one, but for the first time I'm not able to overcome the language barrier (my mobile with the Russian SIM doesn't work here) with the landlady - it's about how I can pay and if I will be registered officially - and so I decide not to stay at the hotel.
Insertion: A foreigner has to register in Kazakhstan within 5 days, so the official informations. Usually the hotels in the larger cities do that for you and I don't know, if they ask for it at the border, when you wanna exit the country. Later I'm told that the registration is only needed if you stay longer than 30 days, and obviously nobody is interested at the border about the registration.
So finally I choose a dirt road and find a protected place off the road, not really visible. I eat some bread and go to sleep very soon. It's getting cold in the night and despite sleeping bag I have to wear some additional clothes to get warm enough.