To those unaware of how easy it is to transit from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan by land, it may look like a daunting task at first. Fear not, as I will now go over how to do this trip, and in both directions no less! It is significantly cheaper to fly to Shymkent rather than Tashkent […]
Crossing the Border Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Essentials to Know Read More »
Kazakhstan is not just any other destination for me, but a home in its own rights. Despite initially being foreign to these beautiful steppes, I spent the better part of a year here and will be spending the next 3 to 4 years living around the region as well. That is why, this article, which
A Foreigner’s Guide to Kazakhstan: Very Nice Indeed! Read More »
I did not go to Petropavl for food. In fact, deep down, I was worried about the dining scene out there. I mean, what could a small northern Kazakhstani town would have to offer me, a picky pescetarian? Well, apparently, they had some decent food to offer, and perhaps, even the best restaurant in all
A Most Welcome Surprise: Petropavl’s Finest Eateries Read More »
Petropavl, alongside Karaganda, are two of the best destinations in all of Kazakhstan for those who are interested in the country’s Soviet past. These places kept their Soviet spirits intact, and in fact, perhaps due to its proximity to the Russian Federation, Petropavl kept it even more alive than Karaganda, at least that was my
Petropavl: Kazakhstan’s Forgotten Soviet Mosaic Heaven Read More »
Kokshetau can be considered a mining town. Though there are not any mines within the city perimeters today, that I know of at least, it grew in part thanks to the gold, uranium, and other valuables mined in the region. This must have brought a good range of rich clientele to the region, as this
A Gold Mine for Foodies: Kokshetau’s Dining Scene Read More »
There really is a right time to be at the right place. Some cities just work better during summertime, some others have fancy Christmas markets. Some have slopes to ski on, some others have lakes to enjoy. Kokshetau has the latter. Knowing that, perhaps I did not make the smartest choice when I planned to
Semey is an enigma for me. It has so much potential, and yet that potential is not being exploited, at all. When I was there, I saw some cars with Russian plates and very Russian looking people in it who came all the way to this town to see the house Dostoevsky once lived in.
Semey is a lot of things. It is the place where Kazakh national poet Abai spent a considerable time of his life. It is where Dostoevsky lived for a while, and even had his first marriage. It is near where the Soviet Union tried many of its nuclear weapons, back when the place was called
I hardly remember the last time I really wanted to eat something sweet. Spicy, salty, briny, sour, and so on, sure. Sweet? Not really… I guess it is good for my health, but it does make finding decent cafes and writing about them here a chore. This is not to say that I hate desserts,
Fixing One’s Sweet Tooth in the Middle of the Steppes: A Guide to the Cafes of Astana Read More »
Though Astana is far from being a party town, or even a fun town, there are some decent pubs to spend the night out. Now when I say night out do understand that I mean spending a few hours sitting at a watering hole… Given my schedule and the often-unfavourable weather outside, I have very
A Night Out in Astana: A Short Guide to the Best Pubs in Town Read More »