Almaty - 2013
In May 2013 we went on a 33-day, "5-Stans", Central Asia tour.
(Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur - Kazakhstan - Kyzgystan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Turkmenistan - Dubai - Melbourne)
We flew from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur.
After 2 nights there we flew to Almaty with Air Astana.
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, and was the country's capital until 1997.
Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana,
Almaty remains the major commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan.
The city is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan.
The view from our hotel window over Panfilov Park across the road.
The view at dusk.
Panfilov Park is dedicated to the Panfilov Heros; soldiers of an Almaty infantry unit
who died fighting the Nazis in a village outside Moscow in 1941.
Ivan Panfilov was the name of the General commanding the 316 division who, in spite of suffering heavy casualties,
managed to significantly delay the enemy’s advance on the capital, buying time for the defenders of the city.
Zenkov Cathedral, an Almaty landmark, is built entirely of wood, including the nails.
Building started in 1904 and it is one of Almaty's few surviving Tsarist Russian buildings.
Most of the others were destroyed in the 1911 earthquake.
It was used as a museum and a concert hall in the Soviet era.
In 1995 it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and has been restored as a functioning place of worship.
Margaret with Veronika, our Kazahkstan and Krygyzstan guide.
She comes from Karakul in Krygyzstan.
The Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, near the cathedral.
It was also designed by the architect, Zenkov.
With the lovely Kazakh guide.
They had an excellent display of not only Kazakh instruments,
but also a good collection of strange instruments from around the world, including a didgeridoo.
We were not allowed to take pictures of the instruments.
The school year had finished the day before. Students were celebrating everywhere.
The people in Almaty were a beautiful mixture of many races ... Kazakh, Asian, Chinese, Indian, Mongol, Russian ....
Smartly dressed and groomed. Lovely, lovely people.
Breakfast at our hotel.
We only missed out on wi-fi at 2 places on our 31-night trip.
The dining room at our hotel (Otrar Hotel) was built in the shape of a massive yurt.
Kazakh national dress.
The Monument to Independence in Republic Square.
It is crowned with the 6 metre high Golden Man, the ruler in a standing position who drives a winged snow leopard.
It symbolizes the firm government on the Kazakh earth.
Golden Man is based on a small golden ornament unearthed in 1969 near Almaty.
Kazakhstan Independence was declared on 16th September 1991.
This bronze book represents the Kazakhstan Constitution and bears the handprint of President Nazarbayaev.
The inscription reads " Choose and be in bliss". The idea being to put one's hand in the print and make a wish.
Almaty Military Hospital.
Central State Museum.
There was an excellent collection in the museum, well labelled and set out.
Veronika, our guide, gave us an excellent tour.
We were not allowed to take pictures inside.
We went by cable-car to the top of Kok-Tobe, a 1100 metre high mountain overlooking Almaty.
The 372 metre high communications tower and TV transmitter on the mountain.
At the top of Kok-Tobe there is a recreation area with gardens, a small zoo, souvenir stalls and restaurants.
A bronze statue of The Beatles by sculptor Eduard Kazaryan was placed on Kok-Tobe mountain in 2007.
Almaty was known as Alma-Ata in Soviet times. Alma-Ata translates to "Apple-Father".
Almaty Zoo
The Lonely Planet is charitable in describing the zoo as "tired".
On our way to Krygystan we passed by vast fields of wild flowers including lots of colourful poppies.
In May 2013 we went on a 33-day, "5-Stans", Central Asia tour.
(Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur - Kazakhstan - Kyzgystan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Turkmenistan - Dubai - Melbourne)
We flew from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur.
After 2 nights there we flew to Almaty with Air Astana.
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, and was the country's capital until 1997.
Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana,
Almaty remains the major commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan.
The city is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan.
The view from our hotel window over Panfilov Park across the road.
The view at dusk.
Panfilov Park is dedicated to the Panfilov Heros; soldiers of an Almaty infantry unit
who died fighting the Nazis in a village outside Moscow in 1941.
Ivan Panfilov was the name of the General commanding the 316 division who, in spite of suffering heavy casualties,
managed to significantly delay the enemy’s advance on the capital, buying time for the defenders of the city.
Zenkov Cathedral, an Almaty landmark, is built entirely of wood, including the nails.
Building started in 1904 and it is one of Almaty's few surviving Tsarist Russian buildings.
Most of the others were destroyed in the 1911 earthquake.
It was used as a museum and a concert hall in the Soviet era.
In 1995 it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and has been restored as a functioning place of worship.
Margaret with Veronika, our Kazahkstan and Krygyzstan guide.
She comes from Karakul in Krygyzstan.
The Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, near the cathedral.
It was also designed by the architect, Zenkov.
With the lovely Kazakh guide.
They had an excellent display of not only Kazakh instruments,
but also a good collection of strange instruments from around the world, including a didgeridoo.
We were not allowed to take pictures of the instruments.
The school year had finished the day before. Students were celebrating everywhere.
The people in Almaty were a beautiful mixture of many races ... Kazakh, Asian, Chinese, Indian, Mongol, Russian ....
Smartly dressed and groomed. Lovely, lovely people.
Breakfast at our hotel.
We only missed out on wi-fi at 2 places on our 31-night trip.
The dining room at our hotel (Otrar Hotel) was built in the shape of a massive yurt.
Kazakh national dress.
The Monument to Independence in Republic Square.
It is crowned with the 6 metre high Golden Man, the ruler in a standing position who drives a winged snow leopard.
It symbolizes the firm government on the Kazakh earth.
Golden Man is based on a small golden ornament unearthed in 1969 near Almaty.
Kazakhstan Independence was declared on 16th September 1991.
This bronze book represents the Kazakhstan Constitution and bears the handprint of President Nazarbayaev.
The inscription reads " Choose and be in bliss". The idea being to put one's hand in the print and make a wish.
Almaty Military Hospital.
Central State Museum.
There was an excellent collection in the museum, well labelled and set out.
Veronika, our guide, gave us an excellent tour.
We were not allowed to take pictures inside.
We went by cable-car to the top of Kok-Tobe, a 1100 metre high mountain overlooking Almaty.
The 372 metre high communications tower and TV transmitter on the mountain.
At the top of Kok-Tobe there is a recreation area with gardens, a small zoo, souvenir stalls and restaurants.
A bronze statue of The Beatles by sculptor Eduard Kazaryan was placed on Kok-Tobe mountain in 2007.
Almaty was known as Alma-Ata in Soviet times. Alma-Ata translates to "Apple-Father".
Almaty Zoo
The Lonely Planet is charitable in describing the zoo as "tired".
On our way to Krygystan we passed by vast fields of wild flowers including lots of colourful poppies.
