August 14, 2015 Magnitogorsk, Russia to Kostanay City, Kazakhstan

We met at the bikes and left the hotel in Magnitogorsk at 8 AM today.  Today we needed to cover 410 km (256miles), plus a border crossing into Kazakhstan.  Remembering the nightmare crossing we had getting into Russia, we wanted to make sure we arrived at the border as early as possible. 

 

We motored out of the long lane that had leads to Hotel Europa, and out into morning traffic.

On the way out of the city we saw this golden domed Orthodox church.

It wasn’t too bad until we came across this broken down car in the far left lane of the bridge out of Magnitogorsk. 

Looking back at Magnitogorsk - an unreformed steel town.

We passed several factories on the way out. Magnitogorsk was listed as one of the 10 dirtiest cities in the world.  But according to Janis, about 10 years ago, they upgraded the cleaning systems on the factories, and air quality has improved. It doesn't look like it to us, and there are no similar sights remaining in the U.S., but here's hoping it keeps improving.  

We're on the steppe, and much like our prairie, we can pretty much see forever.  There are vast fields of grain, and nothing on the horizon.

We only had to slow down for the horses on the road.

We stopped mid-morning to gas up and grab something to eat upon arrival at the border.  Depending on traffic, we could be there a while.

While there, I managed to get a pretty good picture of Alain, our French/Swiss companion.

This couple and their son were curious about the group of foreigners.  They spoke very good English.  Janis filled them in on our trip.  We are beginning to see more Asian features in people's faces and complexion.  It is very gradual, but noticeable.

Off again into the endless sea of wheat and past some cows eating right beside the road.

Right near the border is a power plant.

We lined up to get out of Russia. With Svetlana’s help, it went fairly quickly.

Then we motored over to the Kazakhstan side and lined up to cross the border...

But no - wait - we're called back.  No one knows why, but the guard didn’t want us to leave just then.

Finally, we’re given the go ahead to go to the next station.  Welcome to Kazakhstan.

It takes a while to get all the papers checked.  Our separate vehicle titles and registration cards are confusing to the border guards because in Europe all the information is on one card.  Handing in two pieces of paper completely flummoxed them.  In our case, it was worse because every U.S. state does thing differently, so our inconsistent titles and registrations from New Mexico, Virginia, California, Washington, etc. make thing very confusing for the inspectors.

Dave and I returned to our motorcycle, gave a little 2x3 inch piece of paper to the guard who checked the panniers (side cases). He goes ballistic!  We didn’t understand what he was saying, but he took the piece of paper and stalked back to the office that had stamped our passports.  After 2 or 3 minutes of yelling at the other guard he got the piece of paper back, stomped back to the bike, with me scampering behind him.  He stamped the piece of paper, handed it back and indignantly waved us out of his sight.  We left quickly.  When I looked at the paper, the only change is the number 2 was added.  Apparently, the first guard was supposed to note that there was 2 passengers with the motorcycle.  Really!?  All that fuss?

We passed on through the border and waited for everyone to catch up.  A border official approached us with his cell phone out and asked for a picture with Svetlana, John and the motorcycle.  We tried to take one of our own, but he wouldn’t allow it. 

So, I secretly took this one.  Eventually, Svetlana convinced him to e-mail the photo on his phone to her.

Once released, we hop onto the bikes and rode 200 meters down, and then turned around to go back after remembering that we had to buy insurance for Kazakhstan – it cost about $2 at one place where half of us went, and $6 at the place where the others went.  Lots of paperwork, and an official-looking binder in crylic type, so we have no idea what it is or how good it is - but it makes us legal through Kazakhstan.

It’s boring waiting at all these stops, so Cheburashka (chew-boo-rahsh-ka), our trip mascot made an appearance.

Boz told a couple of curious truck drivers about us and our trip, and had them pose with him.  These are Kazak or Tartar faces.

Finally, it was time to get back on the bikes and head for the hotel, about an hour and half away. More of the same beautiful endless landscape.

and a stop to let the sheep pass.

This monument was too good to pass by without getting a group picture. We're in Kazakhstan!  Right to left - Dave, me, Janis holding the banner, Ida, Mike, Andre, Alain, Mary Jane, Steve, Randy, Alex (kneeling), Boz, and Marilyn.  Missing are Jeff and John, who are taking pictures.

Why use a road when there's perfectly good terrain for the Adventure motorcycles?!  The BMWs are made for off road.

We passed several grain silos throughout the day…

...farm machinery

...and a welcoming arch.

We seem to find weddings wherever we go.

A quick gas-up and ATM stop to get the local currency.  We withdrew 50,000 tenge, roughly $266 US dollars.

We pulled into the hotel parking lot around 4:30pm.  Not bad.  The hotel preferred by Ayres is closed for renovations, so this is not their top choice for this area.  It is, however, clean - albeit with a few quirky features.

Note sink faucet.  It services both the sink and the shower area.  They managed to pack a lot into a small bathroom.  Sometimes it’s the little things that make traveling interesting.

Tomorrow we are headed for a five-star resort for two nights and a full day of relaxation.  No tours – just sit by the pool and vegetate.  We welcome that idea.