I was really impressed with what you get for $48 for your hotel in Almaty. It was new, modern near the central area-walking distance to several attractions, the water pressure was strong, and the water heated up quickly, there was a strong internet signal in the room, the bed was soft, and it included a great breakfast buffet. I conveniently found a craft beer venue two minutes walk away.
It was another stellar day for weather as I waited for my ride to a day trip attraction.
I managed to make it to my destination, Big Almaty Lake, but some poor planning made it take longer than expected. I should have booked it before breakfast and checking out. The driver said it would take 20-30 minutes to get to the hotel but arrived closer to 50 minutes later. Then he stopped for gas and charged me the road fee even though I was paying above the average price. When booking i asked to be dropped off at he Almaty Botanical Gardens and he took me back to the hotel instead-losing more time for the next attraction (I was flying out at 111:00 pm and hoping to get some decent sightseeing in before going to the airport). So goes travel, the best laid plans of mice and men...
Primitive outhouse up there...
So it took me forever to find a cab to take me to the Botanical gardens and once I did there was some trouble with directions. I arrived only to find that it was closed for repairs-nothing on Google Maps or online suggested that this would be the case-in fact Google Maps suggested it would be very busy at my arrival.
Flowers on the street in front of the closed Botanical Gardens.
So now it was 5:30 and too late to visit my third option the Central Museum, so I found a pub a 20 minute walk away that I thought I would regroup at and then get a cab back to my hotel to chill and then pick up my other bag and go the airport.
The streets in Almaty are all lined with trees and other vegetation giving it a pleasant feel even if things are significantly spread out.
I arrived at The Old Bridge Pub only to find it closed for a private birthday party, however, the kind staff let me have a beer and called a cab for me.
Lots of cafes and restaurants with alfresco dinning in Almaty-it's so much cheaper than Japan. I'm feeling like a king. Despite the troubles encountered on the second day I'm pretty sure if when I return to Kyrgyzstan for a conference I will explore more of Kazakhstan, perhaps a couple of days in the capital Astra.
Russian craft beer labels in the bathroom of Hoper's, a craft beer joint just a few minutes walk from my hotel.
Comments