Richard And Jo Demeester's photos with the keyword: gorge

When we first saw a figure weaving through the rocks and sand and vegetation, I thought it was an animal. Despite a strong confidence in the knowledge that none would be here, I even thought it might be an ostrich. Nur said with confidence that anyone cycling here must be a foreigner, or crazy, likely both. It turned out to be a Kazakh guy, who had been riding four days, with four or five more ahead. He didn't really have a plan, or much of a map for that matter. Just wending and winding through the landscape in search of views. He appreciated greatly our gifts of water and food, and he joined us for dinner and breakfast. He cycled Jordan end to end, and once bought a bike in Amsterdam and rode to Barcelona, frequently being the first Kazakh that many Europeans had met. A toast to our crazy Kazakh Russian friend, Dima.

Morning in Bozzhira, and while Ruston cooked breakfast we just spent some time appreciating the soft light striking the formations that surrounded us.

We spent the night on the floor of Bozzhira. A recess in the rockface was deemed an ideal spot for our tents, protected from the blustery gusts that seemed to build the whole afternoon.

A few kilometres from our first stop at Bozzhira. We crossed a narrow join from the surrounding plateau to an outcrop where we could absorb the splendour of this formation.

Bozzhira, Kazakhstan

Bozzhira in Mangistau, Kazakhstan. A multitude of gorgeous view points.

My interpretation of this rock formation in Charyn Canyon.

Looking up at the beautiful formations of Charyn Canyon. We pointed at rocks giving our interpretations. A face, a cat, a teddy bear. Actually, quite a few cats!

Looking down to Charyn Canyon from the rim. After parking, we walked a few kilometres along the top to various viewpoints and lookouts, taking in the "valley of the castles"

Possibly the Kolsay River? Anyway, we were driving to the Kolsay Lakes, and there was a bit of a spot on a bend where cars had parked, and it seemed like it might be interesting. And wow, there along the road was this rift through the land. So dramatically in contrast with the barren flatness that surrounded it.

In a higher part of the walk through the gorge of San Martin.

A bit over 30 minutes from Bomba, there appears to be many wonderful walks to be had in this area. On this day, we just did the most obvious and most traversed, but it soon became apparent we could get very remote very quickly.

Looking in to Swallow Grotto, part of Taroko Gorge.

Most of the climb through the canyon was very straightforward, however, a bit of extra effort was required for a few bits.

Looking along the Gola Su Gorropu.