It has been a very busy three days so I am way behind on this post. We have a late start today so I will try to get caught up.
We left Kyrgystan and headed straight for the border into Kazakhstan. We had to leave our buses on the other side so we carried our bags across. The border was really uneventful, except there was a random tiny kitten which distracted me from any questions that may have been asked. First we had to leave Kyrgystan and get our exit stamp, and then walk across the 'neutral zone' and then into Kazakhstan with a new entry stamp. So far they are sticking to the same page, literally, not sure about figuratively.
No photos of the border allowed so here is a photo.
Road pictures!
Then onto our first stop in Kazakhstan, Moon Canyon.
Then a quick hop over to Black Canyon.
Where I did not get a coffee
Next stop, our guesthouse in Saty Village. We got there but they didn't have enough rooms in the main building so the 'singles' were put into the new building just, next door. They were literally still working on it as we arrived. The stairs were loose wooden pallets and the outside was still bare cinderblocks. But the room seemed nice enough. First hint of trouble though was when I tried to leave the building. The outside door, unlocked, would not open. One of the worker men was trapped in there with me and he managed to get it open. But the next morning, one of the older Aussie women had to climb out a window to get out of building. Plus, no wifi in the new building which is why I got so far behind.
But no time to contemplate any of that because we had a very quick check in and then into some 4X4s to get to our next activity, the sunken forest. The road there was rough, to put it kindly.
That was just to get to the gate to the park. The road, impossibly, got even worse after that. But we didn't have our 4X4s, now we got to ride in old Soviet military transport vans called Buhankas which means "loaf of bread' becuase that is what they look like.
The ride to the entrance to the sunken forest was crazy. Our driver was blasting club music which was appropriate since we were bouncing around like we were in a mosh pit.
(Stopping here. Breakfast and packing which is going to be epic. I have been shopping. Also I can't sign onto my account so I am using the Blogger app which is TERRIBLE, I can't save).
I'm back, in a new country. But let's stick with Kazakhstan for now.
We all made it to the hike down to the lake. This lake appeared after an earthquake in 1911. It inundated all of the trees at the botto of a valley, which are still there, being picturesque.
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| In case the descent made you parched |
I am loving the fall colours!!
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| Our 4x4 driver. We got the oldest, ugliest vehicle but the best driver (or worst if you might want to live another day) |
Back to the guesthouse where we had dinner for 6pm. Fairly disappointing meal, normally the food has been great. The restaurant was the only place I could get wifi, so few 'I'm still alive' messages and then to bed.
Breakfast and check out the next morning. I went back to my room to get my bag and a few last minute things. I closed the room door. When I went to leave, it would not open. It was stuck fast. So I gave it a shove. The entire door frame rippedaway from the wall!! But I could get out at least. But it was not good. The door and door frame were almost completely detached from the the structure! So, I scurried to the bus, put my bag on and went to confess to Nazira. Before we could even get to the gate, the owner was out there, mad. Very mad. Me, Nazira and the owner when to the offending door. I stayed outside. There was yelling. Nazira is a bulldog when necessary. She told us all to get on the bus, with a parting, you will be hearing from G Adventures about this to the owner and off we went. I asked if I was going to get arrested but no, no follow up story for you all. No photo of the door either unfortunately, I was too flustered to think to take one.
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| Goodbye Saty village |
September 22 (written Sept 24)
After our narrow escape, we were heading to the unofficial capital city of Kazakhstan, Almaty. But not without of mid-journey hike! Yet another canyon, but this one was the best one. Charyn Canyon. Easy hike down, but long and hot, hot, hot.
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| (sort of a) SQUIRREL! |
I finally got to the bottom and enjoyed the view and the lovely cool breeze from the river.
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| Verry Verry Niice (there was a lot of Borat impressions while we were here) (this picture was taken by our little blonde boy) |
I cheated and took a Buhanka back to the top. But there was no avoiding 230 steps to reach the rim. I had a few minutes before we had to meet. So, I wandered out to a precipice. I think that is the right word, a peice of land that sticks out over the canyon. No one was with me but Nazira took my picture from way far away. Not sure if it shows the precariousness of the daring self!
Back into the bus to get to Almaty. But we need some lunch so we stopped at a street market. Isela and I shared some onion bread and then we got some kebobs. This was probably my favourite meal so far. Isela bought some fresh hot sauce for the table. Perfection!
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| Pickles are everywhere here. |
Ok, I was hoping to finish up all of Kazakhstan before I head to two days of no wifi at our next stop in a remote village in Tajikistan but I am too tired.
But before I go, here are some flowers for Sandra F.
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| And one cat for Lea's birthday. |
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