In September 2004, I travelled around in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, which today is the most landlocked country (furthest away from the sea) in the world. Still the Kyrgyz people have their own sea, the stunningly scenic Lake Issyk-Kul, encircled by 5000 meter snowcapped peaks. Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” in the local language, since it never freezes in winter despite being situated at almost 2000 meters above sea level.
I often had to hitch-hike to get around, which turned out to be adventurous and sometimes scary. Road conditions are treacherous and your transport brakes down again and again. Everywhere you look, there is spectacular scenery and, sadly, hardship and poverty. But also warmth and generosity. At the time Kyrgzyzstan was the poorest country in the whole of Asia.