With mountains left behind (Sunday, March 28, 2004)

It's a dilemma we all know in various situations well: go along the shorter but more demanding way - or longer but more comfortable one? Iristu chose the former and Altynai the latter. So while Iristu flew less than 300 kilometres during Saturday and Sunday through Pamir-Alai in Tajikistan and eastern sweep of Uzbekistan, Altynai, who avoided the highest mountains, reached 300 kilometres yesterday and next 180 kilometres during a part of today. Both storks are nearly at the same latitude this afternoon. But more important is that they've got the mountains behind them and the second half of the joureny should be easier...