Through deserts and oases of central Asia

In the spring of 1915 two brothers set out on a perilous wartime odyssey toward Kashgar, the distant capital of Chinese Turkestan. Their first leg takes them aboard the modest Norwegian steamer Iris, threading a cautious route past the North Sea’s hidden mines and the ever‑looming threat of German submarines. The cramped cabins, relentless sea‑sickness, and a near‑miss with torpedoes create a tense backdrop that frames the entire journey.

From the icy fjords of Norway they disembark in picturesque Bergen, a town frozen in snow yet alive with children tobogganing down steep streets and sturdy ponies pulling jingling sleighs. A night train then carries them across Sweden, where the stark, pine‑lined landscape and simple fare of salted fish and rye bread contrast sharply with the diplomatic purpose of their mission. Along the way, observations of local customs, lingering historic rivalries, and the quiet determination of the travelers hint at the extraordinary challenges that await them in the deserts and oases of Central Asia.