Day 76. Zharkent - Almaty
Our breakfast this morning was delivered to our room on a tray. It has been a lovely place to stay.
And what an absolutely delightful morning to follow. Up onto a desert like plateau with herds of horses, camels and cattle.
The mountains in the distance made a wonderful backdrop and the air was cool (ish).
We just took our time, waving to the locals and taking photographs.
We stopped in fairly industrial town for refreshments at a little shop directly opposite what was once an old soviet apartment complex, it was all bricked up and even the bricks are now falling out. Why someone hasn't just blown it up is beyond me.
The last 160km were back onto a motorway through the flat lands. Lots of crops and haymaking going on.
We rode through a little town called Kapchagay which is beside a lovely lake, very popular with holiday makers with nice parks and children's playgrounds and of course Casino's.
Every few km's especially along the motorway are lay-by's, usually consisting of a smelly toilet, a little shade box and a ramp.
It took me a while to work out the purpose of these until................
Back on the motorway and as we got closer to Almaty the mountains showed themselves at last, a lovely backdrop to this city.
Approaching from the north is much nicer than from the west. The roads are much better also.
We found our hotel which is great, the bottom retail area is a really lovely cake store, so we had a rare treat of afternoon tea.
Robyn left a pair of sandals in Santorini and has regretted it ever since, it just so happens that there was a shoe shop 100m away and there is a sale! Result.
Perfect timing as we have a special dinner tonight with some fellow Kiwi's who up until now have been virtual friends. We will be properly acquainted by the end of the evening.
Our dinner out was a real treat, we were hosted by these two inspirational people. They have been doing these trips for 11 years now and have been generous with their experience which has helped us enormously. Thanks Diana and Dick for a memorable evening.
And what an absolutely delightful morning to follow. Up onto a desert like plateau with herds of horses, camels and cattle.
The mountains in the distance made a wonderful backdrop and the air was cool (ish).
We just took our time, waving to the locals and taking photographs.
Looked at us as if we were an intrusion ....
and then up and away he gracefully flew.
The last 160km were back onto a motorway through the flat lands. Lots of crops and haymaking going on.
We rode through a little town called Kapchagay which is beside a lovely lake, very popular with holiday makers with nice parks and children's playgrounds and of course Casino's.
Every few km's especially along the motorway are lay-by's, usually consisting of a smelly toilet, a little shade box and a ramp.
It took me a while to work out the purpose of these until................
Back on the motorway and as we got closer to Almaty the mountains showed themselves at last, a lovely backdrop to this city.
Approaching from the north is much nicer than from the west. The roads are much better also.
We found our hotel which is great, the bottom retail area is a really lovely cake store, so we had a rare treat of afternoon tea.
Robyn left a pair of sandals in Santorini and has regretted it ever since, it just so happens that there was a shoe shop 100m away and there is a sale! Result.
Perfect timing as we have a special dinner tonight with some fellow Kiwi's who up until now have been virtual friends. We will be properly acquainted by the end of the evening.
Our dinner out was a real treat, we were hosted by these two inspirational people. They have been doing these trips for 11 years now and have been generous with their experience which has helped us enormously. Thanks Diana and Dick for a memorable evening.
A lovely surprise -treated to local Kazakhstan treats before dinner.
Cocktail made from candy-floss, raspberry vodka, cherry syrup and mineral water. Followed by an excellent meal.
Looks delicious Robyn!
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