day 265: [somewhere else in the desert] - 敦煌 (dunhuang) = 43,8km

In the morning, Robozwerg’s eyes were much better, but the bike was much worse.

It seemed like it was just kind of slowly falling apart:

The weather had changed for the better though - there was absolutely no wind today.

So we joined in our efforts to push the cucumber and the caboose together:

At some point it was so boring I thought we were like ants in a football stadium:

…little by little…

…we were making our way through the vast expanse…

…unsure of how much was still laying ahead.

We almost rolled over a snake once:

Although it might have as well been an earthworm.

…

Then, after hours and hours of being bored and singing songs, we got our first glimpse at the sand dunes that were supposed to be ahead:

I tend to like sand much better when it’s on a beach though, but maybe that’s just me.

There was also this huge construction site that we passed by:

Now if nothing’s going on at a construction site in Germany, then it’s probably just a lunch break or a holiday. But if nothing’s going on at a construction site here in China, then there’s probably something seriously wrong.

Someone later told me that the Hong Kong company that had started to build this 5-star spa resort out here in the desert 3 years ago was undergoing some “financial difficulties” lately.

To me, the whole thing didn’t look like such a good idea from the start, but what do I know.

…

The green stretch of land that forms the oasis of 敦煌 (Dunhuang) started not far from there:

There were flowers:

And we walked past some more ancient ruins on the way:

We made it to the toll station by 9pm:

Our greatest wish was to get to a hotel in the city tonight, just to put an end to the misery of these last few days.

We wanted:

…clean beds,

…a shower,

…yogurts,

…chocolate candy bars,

…cold drinks,

…smiling people to talk to,

…

So we kept on walking through the dark, until the city of 敦煌 finally gave us a warm welcome with all her beautiful lights:

Oh, what a feeling.

Robozwerg says:

“Now I actually think this one day of total blindness (July 29th 2008) was the coolest experience I have had during this trip so far.”

Soundtrack: Interpol - “Narc”

—total: 3555,1km