Almaty, Almaty Province, Kazakhstan
The overnight train arrived in Almaty about 820am. The station was quite grand in comparison to Shymkent and was impressive with marble columns and chandeliers.
There was a cooler breeze in the air from the hot climate of Shymkent. Locals kept asking me for taxis but I walked on.
There was meant to be a metro station, I thought it connected with the train station but was a walk away. My walking tour was taking me thru the sights en route to my hotel.
I was trying to find my way to the Green Bazaar and was having trouble navigating the streets. I learnt a trick that google maps still works with a phone signal even though I have no wifi.
The bazaar had a couple of British tourists but I didnt want to be taking too many pictures. The meats section had horse meat again.
Adjacent was the Rakhat Chocolate Factory. You can visit with pre-arranged trips. I was more interested in the shop. This was like an old fashioned candy store where you weighed out your items in scoops.
This was the best place to stop for all souvenirs so I stocked up on my presents. Nearby I made my way to the Zenkov Cathedral.
Sadly it is closed for restorations but it was interesting watching the morning sun hit the crosses making them glow strongly.
The Cathedral leads thru the park to the war memorial and war museum, which I was skipping.
I was instead going to the wood instruments museum. Entrance was 500T ($1.75). It was a couple of rooms on the ground floor of a traditional wood house.
It was a interesting display but no background sounds or audio options to sample the sounds.
Walking to my hotel I was told I could not check in till 2pm. It was only just 1130am. I left my bags with the front desk and logged into their wifi resting in the lobby before I did a bit more exploring.
Hotel Kazakhstan is a famous Soviet era hotel, renovated to a luxurious standard. I must say the overall atmosphere and layout of the city did not feel like Central Asia but more like a generic German or East European Soviet city.
2025-05-22