I have had an awesome time here, First day usual hike around the city, up to the top of Kok Tobe, down in the cable car, usual monuments, churches
etc. Almaty is a bit of a boutique city on a much smaller scale and if I say so much nicer, they have mountains with snow!! .
Yesterday I went out to the mountains and valleys on a bus trip. We stopped off to see the Golden man statue , along side was a clear mountain stream. Every one stopped to fill water bottles, as well as others who appeared to have driven, especially to do just that. I didn’t know where, but later found out it was The Turgen national park . Arriving at the park every one wanted to see the water fall. I started climbing, but sandals don’ t do climbing and as I wasn’t told what to wear , was dressed totally inappropriately. What ever!
A popular spot on a sunday but asking the guide about toilets,none were open so she says “Paatreeeciaaa ( She had introduced me to the bus)
follow me” in sign language…… lots of bushes!! This in a tourist spot 🙂 Every time after that she asked me Toilet !! The young people have
loved having an english speaker on the bus. One lass took over for the day and translated if I needed anything. Mostly young ones on the bus, as well
as the older ladies I had lunch with.
Went to a fish farm, catch your fish, they cooked it. Shared lunch with a bottle of wine and 3 russian/kazak ladies, none of whom could speak
english! All that remained of the fish were the bones and eyes! I did not partake 🙂 It was very pleasant sitting under an umbrella to keep the sun off. Enjoying the company of some lovely ladies. As we left the park we stopped and watched horse riders on their hired horses. The horses were not in the greatest of condition, I was saddened to see, and this became the norm everywhere I travelled in the Asian and eastern european countries. There was the occasional lovely animal but they were few and far between. Back on the bus to continue our return to the city.
Stopping off again, we were taken to an Ostrich farm. This was fascinating, it included small enterprise on a large scale, Ostriches,rabbits, deer, horses, contracting machinery everywhere, even a western toilet that worked. Presumably the lady of the house in the kitchen cooking for 50 tourists!! I doubt New Zealand OSH would approve.The farmer did insist I listen and learn all about Ostriches so listened to his veeeerrrry long spiel but gave up after 20mins of listening to Kazak!! I didn’t like to say I knew all I wanted to know about the animals on his farm. Sabrina did brief translations for me which I appreciated.
The drive home was as interesting as the other sights on the main road were herdsman tending their cattle and or sheep, one was headed for the road so I
don’ t know whether he added to the chaos, donkeys and carts, two year?old wandering onto the 3 lane highway ( 6 lanes in total) and brother running
after it. Another motorist changing a tyre in the middle lane of the highway, I kid you not! This is a 3 lane motorway equivalent to home. Traffic very fast, about 10 percent of cars have the steering wheel as we do The changing lanes done at will with toots and close shaves! It was worthy of a scary ride at at a theme park I m sure. The backdrop of the beautiful snow capped mountains, , mist covering the bases of the mountains, paddocks or fields of new fresh green growing plants as far as you could see. Stunning ! NZ needs to get its act together. The bus stopping where it had picked me up, the end of a brilliant day in the Turgen park.