Waking up to a beautiful view was eclipsed by the fact that i felt terrible, and fluey once more. I managed to cycle about 40km before reckoning that enough was enough and that the next 500km to Urumqi would be near impossible. I had seen a town to the South of the road about 10km back. That would be my best bet for a rest and maybe a bus to Urumqi to get the god damn visa. I crossed the road, and too buggered to cycle did something i'd been taught growing up to be a big no-no. the thumb came up. suddenly a massive truck screeched to a halt (the first car to come past). These guys were awesome but unfortunately they only had space for me and not my mechanical companion. thanked them for the offer and up came the thumb once more. Suddenly a cop van screeches to a halt. the police get out and friendly offer to take me to that town, where they were heading anyway. they hoist the bike onto their roof and off we go. The officers offer the best of what they had available including green tee, dumplings and fried lamb pancake.

We passed a bus yard on entering the town and the driver quickly pulled in, asked the nearest person what time, if any, the next bus went to Urumqi. The lady pointed to a bus which, at that moment was pulling out of the yard going to Urumqi. Out came the police badges flashing, the bus was stopped and i was allowed to get on. they let me leave my bike locked up in one of the outhouses there to await my return and continue our journey along the Silk Road.

8 hours in the bus didn't feel too bad as i'd slept basically the whole way waking occasionally the cough and splutter, as the flu had seemingly spread to my chest, not a good sign.

On arriving in Urumqi the air of tenseness could be felt immediately and sent a chill down the spine. The military were in full force and had made a camp in the bus yard where my bus arrived. Out in the street, only having arrived in Urumqi 20 minutes previously, there was another scuffle in the street, it seemed to be between 2 Urguys and went unnoticed by the myriad forms of armed forces patrolling the streets. Strange times... Every street corner were stationed a guard of riot police. The Chinese government has too much time its hands i reckon.

Checked into a hotel by the bus station and explored the nearby marketplaces with such a wide variety of Xinjiang food i felt overwhelmed by the choices. i would not be going hungry in the near future.