Offseason At Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

A lakeside resort in Kyrgyzstan? Sure! The country isn't called the Switzerland of the 'stans for nothing.  Southeast a few hours from the country's capital, Bishkek, sits the pristine lake Issyk-Kul. It's big, only second in the world to the Caspian Sea in saline lake size. Whatever that means.

One thing is certain, it's beautiful and, in the summer, packed with locals, Russians and Kazakh oligarchs looking for a swim and a tan.

Typical beachside resort.

The water, inviting. And shallow for a bit. There are elaborate docks extending hundreds of feet to take advantage of access. Room to party.

Offseason, the cabanas looking a little like a Blue Velvet neighborhood.

Facilities. Playground, BBQ.

Multiple language Sweet Dreams.

A Quick Look At Small Town Cholpon Ata In Kyrgyzstan

Cholpon Ata is a little resort town in Kyrgyzstan, located on the north shore of lake Issyl-Kul. Busloads of Russians would come during the Soviet era to enjoy the lake, hike, spa, be relaxed communists. Now, the town is a bit empty, the buses no longer coming.

Monuments are always good in a former Soviet town.

Along the main avenue, murals and posters.

Exotic drinks? The Nesquik of yak milk?

More remnants of another era.

The Asian culture seeping through.

Petroglyphs At Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan

Carving rocks in the hot sun, that's what they did way back when near the town of Cholpon Ata at lake Issyl-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.

You get your typical hunting scenes, some animals, guy stuff. Age, maybe 8,000 years, maybe carvings executed 8th-3rd century BC. Old.

It's a giant field of boulders. And power lines, a sign of the metal age.

Images!

And some nice flora.