D7 - Monday 15-5-06 Buerjin

After our breakfast, we walked to a hotel opposite the People's Park awaiting to be picked up by a tourist guide. Due to a miscomunication, no one showed up. We then walked back to the tour agency and together with the agency manager, we took a taxi to the next meeting point , located about 1 km away. What a relief when we found our tourist bus or else we would be in a very awkward position.

After some 6 hours of driving ( we stopped half way for lunch in a country side town ) , we arrived at the Buerjin town. We stayed overnignt in the Jiantong Binguan located near a vegetable wholesale market.

In the evening, we strolled around the Buergin residential area & night market. While walking, we experienced a sand storm and within few minutes , the entire area became very dusty and we could hardly walk due to the flying dust and strong wind . Some dust got into my eyes and I sought refuge inside a grocery shop. After about 20 mins, it was back to normal again. This was my first encounter with a sand storm and it just happened without any warning !

1) Our tour bus to Kanas Lake

2) The new residential area of Buerjin town .

3) Our hostel and a nearby fruit and vegetable market

" What a great experience when a sandstorm greeted me in this faraway town of Buergin, Northern Xinjiang . My first encounter in life ! "