Just shows how versatile the Land Cruiser is, it also carries an air pump facility.
Pumped up, started to make our way to Kuqa.
For the locals, petrol filling Chinese style from the kettle – for security reasons the petrol had to go straight into the tank of their vehicle, not allowed to put it into a separate container. The guy was sternly told not to do so, by the petrol attendant. Over the last few years there has been some communal tension between Muslim community and Ham people (who are the Chinese majority). The young lady sitting at the petrol pump, had riot protection gear on the table, and Kirit had to see that it was in working order.

Unfortunately soon after leaving the petrol station, travelling behind a lorry a fair sized pebble hit our windscreen and cracked the glass, even though the road surface was pretty smooth – never mind, we will have to see how the cracks develop.
Driver behind the wheel- Kirit!

On our way to Kuqa, in the Kuqa Gorge (also part of the Silk Road) we visited a Buddha Cave site, numerous caves that housed some original murals dating back almost 1200 years. Interesting that the Chinese have preserved this site so well.
Continuing on our way to Kuqa, stopped at a couple of check points. We will have to get used to this routine especially when we are in Tibet. There is just a curiosity factor and our awareness suddenly increases when we get stopped – and that urge to take photos!

Reached our hotel in good time, thankfully not a frantic, manic day like yesterday.
Have not had much interaction with Chinese people so far, but those we have met to date are polite enough and helpful.