Lake Aydarkul

After breakfast of fried egg and boiled egg, bread cheese, black tea and biscuits we are picked up by a battered old car with no seat belts in the rear. 'no need sir/madam, very careful driver', exclaimed the man from the tour guide who was there to collect payment for our two day excursion.
The four of us set off into the desert on a three hour journey to lake Aydarkul, which is close to the boarder with Kazakhstan. These lakes are man made, and a by product of soviet planning. 

Miles and Miles of desert scrubland, crisscrossed with the odd rutted track, and the occasional shack for goat, and horse herders. Wasn't worried about the car breaking down as Mike had his trusty umbrella for sun or rain. Seems whenever we venture into a desert it rains, and today was no exception! Apparently the first rain for some time.
Lucky us!

The desert has a strange soundless quality to it. I say strange because we rarely experience it. It brings to mind the song by America, 'A Horse with no name'.
We both could have stayed there for days. It is both intense and liberating.
There are herds of sheep and goats. These are black wool and much larger than the eurepean ones. During the spring months 2 meter long lizards suck the milk from them, and at the same time poison the animal. 
There are also lots of tortoises around the lake. 

As it was we arrive at lake Aydarkal, Potter about for an hour or so, and drive back towards the hills and low mountains on our way to the next village where we are to spend the night.

Leave you with some photos of the desert and lake, and a stock photo of lizard.