Leaving Modi’s hospitality, and the emu’s singing behind, William Khan, Captain Banana, Sammy Checkmate, the baby Jirichai, and their not-so-horde, Mongol escort, next arrived in Alma Ata. Here was found less fun and more carnage as Genghis had just sacked the town, carrying off most of the prizes. They couldn’t even find a decent antique shop or haberdashery.
While only a quick stop on their Silk Road western journey, they did find the immense wooden cathedral to be a highlight. Untouched by the raiders – as the clergy dropped everything of worth on the front steps for the Mongols to collect – this massive structure was built without nails, or humour. It wasn’t one of William’s gers, but honestly, what was?