Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan

November 2nd, 2014

Sunday – November 2, 2014     Sunny & Clear & Cool
The group and I had an early breakfast at the hotel. We gathered all our luggage and boarded the bus for a nine o’clock departure. These were our last hours in the country of Kazakhstan and the impressive city of Almaty. We were on our way to a falconry demonstration in the foothills of the impressive mountains to the south. The day was sunny and bright and the Tien Shen Range was visible in all its glory. The previous days had been overcast and visibility of the imposing mountains was limited.

IMG_9850Tien Shen Mountain Range

Wow! What a visible treat it was to see the mountains. Tall snowy peaks dominated the horizon and dwarfed the city. It was difficult to take good photos from the bus, but I tried as we drove through modern, upscale, wealthy Almaty toward the falcon ranch.

IMG_9810

IMG_9812

IMG_9814

Not great photos, but you get the idea…. Almaty is a large cosmopolitan city with excellent roads, upscale homes, large apartment complexes, hotels, and office buildings.

DSC_6681
We passed a state park and climbed up a hill to the facility which had grown beyond raising birds of prey and dogs to include a small seasonal hotel, restaurant, and stables. Although there was ice on the ground, we sat outdoors and throughly enjoyed the falconry demonstration.

DSC_6679

DSC_6682

DSC_6697

DSC_6686

Hunting with birds had been a part of Kazakh culture and history. The people at the facility were attempting to preserve that art for future generations. They showed how a variety of birds were trained to help hunt for food: an eagle owl, a falcon, a golden eagle, a Kazakh bald eagle, and a vulture.

DSC_6709

DSC_6723

They also raised Kazakh greyhound dogs and other breeds in the kennel. There were also two pens with wolves.

DSC_6730

IMG_9801Pair of Wolves

Afterwards we drove up another mountain road to the Medeo Sports Complex. Because it was Sunday, families were iceskating on the huge rink.

DSC_6750Medco Sports Arena

DSC_6749Huge Ice Skating Rink

We had a traditional Kazakh lunch in a real yurt on the mountainside across from the Medco Skating Rink. The yurts, which were crafted from animal skins, wood, and carpets, are still used today in the countryside.

DSC_6751Yurt Restaurant in the Mountains

DSC_6753Welcome

IMG_9839Local Guide

IMG_9826Lunch in the Yurt

IMG_9830Traditional Kazakh Meal

We were also entertained by a quartet of musicians who played Kazakh folk songs on traditional instruments.

IMG_9824Musician

IMG_9841Interior of the Yurt Restaurant

DSC_6754Tien Shen Mountain View

It was a fun morning and now it was time to continue our journey south to the country of Kyrgyzstan. We bid farewell to Almaty and, like Silk Road travelers throughout history, we embarked on the five hour drive to the border which crossed into Kyrgyzstan. The road ran westbound along the Tien Shen Mountain range for most of the journey. Then the coach turned south and crossed over a mountain pass. There were many cars, trucks, and vans going in both directions.

DSC_6766Check Point Along the Highway

DSC_6768Farm Truck

DSC_6776View From the Bus

DSC_6785On Toward Kyrgyzstan

DSC_6798Mountain Pass

DSC_6801Commercial Traffic

We stopped at a rest stop and gas station along the highway for a ‘water closet’ break. I think I might finally be getting good at using “Asian” toilets aka “squatties.”

IMG_9851Rest Stop

IMG_9855Gas Station

The border crossing between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was crowded with local people but otherwise uneventful. We cued up to get our passports stamped out of Kazakhstan. Then we had to pull our suitcases and walk across a short bridge which was the official border between the two countries. On the other side, we lined up again to have the passports stamped into Kyrgyzstan. Another large coach waited for us just beyond the border.  A strict NO Photos policy was in effect at all border crossings.

IMG_9856

We arrived in Bishkek after dark, had dinner at a local restaurant, and then were taken to our hotel: The Golden Dragon.

IMG_9857Dinner in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

It had been a long and interesting day and I was tired. Tomorrow we explore Bishkek…..

 

Comments are closed.