Sue K
We humans crave what we don’t have; white people want to tan, dark
people use whitening bleach. Voluptuous ones try to lose weight, and the
have-nots may try to add a few artificial curves.
Tourists are no different. Westerners flock to “exotic” destinations like
Pattaya to bake in the sun. Asians like me, inspired by masochistic tendencies,
spend a hell lot of money escaping the sun to experience the freezing
temperatures of the West. Some of us travel just for the longest distance’s
sake.
But in our quest for the extreme, we may miss out on the magic that lies
somewhere in between, in a mystical place called Eurasia.
Kazakhstan – a place that captured my attention long before Borat made it onto
the screens – is one of Eurasia’s hidden gems, both for world explorers and
business investors.
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One of Almata’s mountain lakes.
The world’s ninth largest country by size and the biggest land-locked nation in
the world, it offers visitors flatlands, steppes, taigas, canyons, hills,
deltas, snow-capped mountains and deserts.
Kazakhstan is home to 131 nationalities including Russian, Ukranian, Tartar,
Uzbek, and Kazakh, a Turkic word for “free man”; appropriately named for the
freedom-loving Nomads.
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Unspoiled tranquility.
For thousands of years, these nomads tended their cattle on fertile soil
pastures among the hills and in the river valleys.
Islam is the primary religion, but this is a secular society and different
beliefs are also represented in the country.
It may be home to different nationalities and faiths, but it is united by a
common historical destiny, as friendship and tolerance are encouraged among its
people. There is much truth in the Japanese saying: “You can survive without
your relatives but you cannot survive without your neighbors.”
Well, maybe some neighbors.
Almaty, the former capital and Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural hub,
is an example of that.
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The moon is bigger in Almaty.
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Founded in 1854, Almaty was a major stop on the Turkistan-Siberian Railroad and
was the capital until 1998. Located in the southeastern part of the republic, it
was considered one of the most beautiful cities in the former U.S.S.R. and
boasts a climate milder than most of the country.
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Zenkov cathedral, one of the few Tsarist-era
buildings to survive the 1911 earthquake.
Unless you’ve come for the skiing, which is plentiful, head down to Panfilov
Park, which surrounds the wooden Zenkov Cathedral - one of the few buildings
from the Czar-era to survive a 1911 earthquake.
The author visits desert camel rides in the park.
Look for the Arasan baths, where you can discover the differences between
Turkish, Russian and Finnish bathing.
A short walk away is the Green Bazaar, where you can experience eastern colors,
smells and crowds.
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To nuts with love.
Photo-snapping tourists may find the locals unfriendly at first, as they’re
likely to be confronted with the universal sign for “no picture”, but after a
few friendly words, and an interest in buying their produce, I left the market
not only with several snapshots, but also many bags of dried apricots, raisins,
almonds, pistachios, walnuts, Korean salads and honey from the Altay Mountains -
all at amazingly reasonable prices.
Horse meat and fermented camel’s milk on offer has a unique taste, I was told,
but I decided to give such uniqueness a miss.
About half an hour’s drive and a swift aerial tram ride away lies Kok Tobe, a
mountain on the southeastern outskirts of Almaty. Here you’ll find a variety of
amusement park-like attractions and a marvelous view.
An extended tour can take you to the “falcon farm,” situated in the upper part
of the city amid dense trees, or to one of the most remarkable natural wonders,
the Canyon of Charyn River. On its slopes you can find the remains of fossil
fauna up to 300 million years old.
Almaty also offers good nightlife, shopping and dining experiences. If you’re up
to it, try a horsemeat kebab or mutton snacks with wheat flour bread, raisins
and assorted nuts. Then wash them down with a fermented horse, camel or kumiss
milk drink.
One thing you have to remember is English-language signs are rare, so be sure to
plan your trip well. A guided tour is recommended.
Stunning Astana
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Astana.
Despite the economic pull of Almaty, the city was deemed to be too
earthquake-prone, too cramped for expansion and too close to the border to
remain the nation’s capital. So in 1998 the seat of government was moved to
Astana, a two-hour flight from Almaty.
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A young, vibrant city with modern architecture, Astana is the center of the
country and is chided by some for both its location and forbidding winter
climate, as well as the cost to travel there.
But what had to be - has become.
Founded as a fortress in 1830, Astana became the country’s capital in 1997, a
young but fast-growing modern city full of bright prospects, rich opportunities
and dazzling innovative projects and ideas, fully supported by President
Nursultan Nazarbayev.
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It has also earned an honorable mention in UNESCO’s “Cities for Peace” awards
and continues to live up to the image, developing itself as “a model city of
social well-being.”
Air Astana
A visit to Kazakhstan would only be complete with a visit to both
cities.
The different experiences left me with plenty to think about on my flight back
to Thailand. Thanks to the great service and comfort on my six-hour flight home
I spent the time relaxing, indulging and pondering.
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It’s all about comfort on Air Astana.
Air Astana has 25 domestic and 22 international routes and offers flights from
Bangkok to Almaty three days a week. The airline took fourth place among the
world’s leading 200 airlines in terms of passenger flow increases in 2004.
The airline takes part in many charitable projects including offers of free
tickets for World War II veterans each May and free flights to sick children
needing urgent treatment or surgery.
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Vibrant colors of Kazakhstan.
So, whether you are looking for untouched nature or adventure, deserts, steppes
or mountains, a diversity of cultures, ancient practices, nomadic tribes or,
bright lights, super modern architecture and business opportunities, you will
find them all in Kazakhstan.
For more information, visit www.airastana.com
