Much of my journey in Kazakhstan was about understanding the legacy of the Soviet times and finding out what remained of nomadic. Tim Cope More Quotes by Tim Cope More Quotes From Tim Cope Ultimately, it's a sense of camaraderie and friendship with local people that is core to my journeys. Tim Cope sense camaraderie friendship people In two and a half years' trekking across central Asia, I'd become attuned to the late autumn conditions when the hazards of winter can blow in under the cover of darkness. Tim Cope autumn late darkness winter From the rugged cliffs of Cape Liptrap peninsula jutting bravely into the swells of Bass Strait, the coast arcs southeast, hugging the waters of Waratah Bay with sweeping flat lines of fine pale sand and knotty scrub. Tim Cope sand fine bass lines My dream was to ride a horse from Mongolia to Hungary, 10,000 km across the great Eurasian Steppe, and in doing so, come to understand the nomadic cultures that have presided there for thousands of years. Tim Cope ride great understand horse A single camel can carry around 300 kilograms. Using camels for hauling during migration is becoming a rarity in Mongolia, where mechanized transport is gradually replacing traditional means. Tim Cope camel where migration single Perhaps most important for nomads was the belief in the symbiosis that existed between wolf and humans on the steppe. Wolves were an integral part of keeping the balance of nature, ensuring that plagues of rabbits and rodents didn't break out, which in turn protected the all-important pasture for the nomads' herds. Tim Cope wolves balance nature important In wider spaces, people bearing historical grudges with each other were separated by the muting qualities of distance. Tim Cope grudges distance historical people Although we had been led to believe our mission was suicidal, Russia's intrigue was irresistible. Almost twice the size of Australia, it spans 11 time zones from the Baltic to the Pacific. Tim Cope mission australia time believe It's hard to find a place where you're out of earshot of some kind of noise. Tim Cope find place you hard In Khazak culture, historically, if any traveller comes riding from a long way, there is an obligation to take him into your home. For the first three days, the host doesn't even have the right to ask his name, his destination or his business. Tim Cope destination business home culture When you come out of the storms and sub-zero temperatures into a tiny yurt, there's a sense that family love and care is the most important thing in the world. Tim Cope you family love world I think the nomads really give us inspiration about how we can live in harmony with our environment. Tim Cope live think harmony environment Steve Fossett and I would share a common belief that it is possible and good to challenge yourself to the extreme. Tim Cope challenge possible yourself good Earth was not built to serve the needs of humans. Tim Cope serve built earth needs I don't think patience is something that any of us grow up with in a large dose. It's a world of instant gratification. Tim Cope grow think patience world I love the Altai Mountains. Crimea, despite all the conflict, is a remarkable place historically, culturally and physically. The mountains drop down into the sea. Porpoises swim in the shallows. Horses gallop through the grass. There are huge rocks, castles, caves. Tim Cope mountains conflict sea love My three-year ride by horse from Mongolia to Hungary was the most difficult, most revealing, and interesting of any of my travels. Travelling by horse, you're far more engaged and dependent on the land and other people than by any other means. Tim Cope ride you horse people Meeting Australian mountaineer and author Tim Macartney-Snape when I was 16 in 1994 had a big impact on me. His ascent of Everest from sea to summit captured my imagination. Tim Cope meeting me imagination sea I have brought many artifacts back with me from the steppe. My favourite is a 90-year-old Kazakh saddle decorated with silverwork in traditional motifs. It symbolises the deep relationship between man and horse on the Eurasian Steppe. Tim Cope deep me man relationship In the initial stages of my journey, I was trying to travel too fast by horse by sticking to a 'five days on and two off' schedule. On the steppe, time is not measured by days, weeks or hours but the fall of the seasons and condition of the animals. Tim Cope horse journey time travel
