X

Get FREE Email Updates

Sign Up

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Journals
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Links
  • Interviews
  • About

above the clouds

International Travel and Lifestyle Blog


Arriving in Almaty, Kazakhstan

November 18, 2014 by Dave9 Comments

kazakhstan (14)I left Chopan Alta, Kyrgyzstan at 8am this morning and arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan at nearly 6pm. If there wasn’t a mountain range between these two points, a line of site drive would probably be a few hours at most – but the route around these mountains through the main border crossing is much longer.

Kazakhstan recently opened the border as visa free for citizens of the USA as well as select other countries on a trial basis and supposedly for just a 10 day stay. I was a bit worried about crossing the border since this was a fairly recent change. But as it were, the crossing went quickly and smoothly – other than a slight scare when the security officer asked why I didn’t have a visa. But he just laughed and then immediately placed a stamp in the passport. While standing in line one lady also in line wanted to hold and look through my passport. Odd but I satisfied her request.

I am staying with a father (Isa) and his son (Aziz) in their flat in Almatay Kazakhstan. I was introduced to them by someone I had met through Couch Surfing for a few minutes at a pre arranged location on the streets of Almaty! Isa is a boxer and trainer and Aziz is an Electrical Engineer who is enjoying practicing his English with me. He hopes to come to Texas and find work in Electrical Engineering (he has a friend who lives in Texas). Both father and son live in a one bedroom flat in one of the many high rises that dot this rather large and spread out city.

These are the nicest people you will ever meet – they are genuinely interested in what I do for work, why I am in Kazakhstan and are interested in hearing about my family. They even wrote down on paper a little speech they wanted to give me – “do good in the world, trust no one and believe in God” – were among the several anecdotes of wisdom provided. I told them after a lifetime of travel you have to trust most people – most people are good and it is more rare when you meet the “bad apples” while on the road.

I offered to sleep in their tiny broom closet – but they refused and gave me their bed that they share. We compromised and I took the floor!

Aziz and friend at Big Almaty Lake
Trenkov Cathedral
Memorial statue close to the center of the city
Author staying dry at Big Almaty Lake

Related posts:

Visa run to Cambodia Arriving on a little piece of Paradise, Ko Yao Noi Island Vang Vieng, Laos – Transportation The Insanity-Producing, Migraine-Inducing Experiences of trying to Travel The World on a Thailand Passport with your American Husband Southern Mozambique

Filed Under: Asia · Tagged: America, Art, Border Crossing, Couch Surfing, Passport, Surfing, Texas, Visa

Comments

  1. Sirim says

    November 19, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    awesome and beautifullll.liked it very much…

  2. Marsha Wietecha says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:28 am

    What generosity from total strangers. This is a “feels good” story. Thanks.

  3. Julia says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Great post Dave! Love the pictures! What restaurant have you had the best food? Remember to add it to your Besty List!

  4. Dave says

    November 22, 2014 at 4:53 am

    Thanks Julia – on way to Bahrain now. We ate at a number of small local restaurants that my hosts recommended. This trip provided a diverse cuisine 🙂

  5. Dave says

    November 22, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Yes, I feel fortunate to have ,met them both 🙂

  6. Aly says

    November 22, 2014 at 5:25 am

    Kazakhstan looks like such a lovely travel destination, it is one of my travel wishlist countries. Thanks for sharing Dave.

  7. Tim says

    November 22, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Central Asia is so intriguing … jealous that you get to enjoy the mountain views in Almaty. Haven’t been there, but the pics look so beautiful!

  8. Dave says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Tim – yes it is a part of the world little visited by ‘western’ tourists – slowly tourism is increasing in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. My next trip will be to some of the other neighboring stans’ – I met a number of travelers who especially enjoyed Uzbekistan.

  9. Dave says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Aly – yes, I wish I had more time in Kazakhstan – Almaty is really spread out and there is lots more to explore 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want an avatar to show with your comments? Get a free Gravatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Dave's Wines Logo

The Official Wine Club of
the Napa Wine Project!

Your personal membership to the
finest Napa Valley artisan wineries.
Learn More
Follow @DaveDTC

Get FREE Email Updates ▶

Categories

Member, Professional Organizations

International Travel Writers Alliance
Travel Massive

Recent Comments

  • Andy on Ballarat, California – May 2020
  • Dave on Day Trip to Eneko Island, Majuro Atoll
  • Dave on A Long Weekend in New Mexico and West Texas
  • Frederick Taylor on L’Houstalet, Port Villa Vanuatu – July 2023
  • Santosh Baniya on Day Trip to Eneko Island, Majuro Atoll

Latest Posts

  • Albay: A Splendid Volcano Province
  • A Spring Getaway Awaits in Armenia: The New Hotspo…
  • From Coast to Coast: Your Guide to Car Transport t…
  • Bulacan: Heritage and History
  • Pangasinan: Western Luzon’s Hidden Gem

Explore

  • Above the Clouds
  • Guides
  • Highlight of the Month
  • Interviews
  • Journals
  • Press Releases
  • Videos

Prepare

  • Book Reviews
  • Pack List
  • Quiz: Geography
  • Quiz: Travel
  • Tour Booking
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Products

Share

  • Contribute
  • Forums
  • Links
  • Photos

About

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Contributors
  • Email Dave
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Kit
Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Return to top of page
Copyright © 1996–2025 Dave's Travel Corner · All Rights Reserved · Log in

7ads6x98y