Archive for September, 2010
Interesting Facts About Central Asia – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on September 9, 2010
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, equal in size to the whole of Western Europe, a huge land encompassing two time zones, stretching from China to the Caspian Sea. It has an ethnically mixed population of 15 million people including Kazakhs, Russians, Ukranians, Uzbeks and others. Kazakhstan is potentially the richest of all the Central Asian countries with huge mineral and oil reserves.
The Eastern part of Kazakhstan and the area around Almaty is extremely mountainous, with beautiful alpine scenery, densely forested valleys, multicolored lakes and pristine glaciers. Travelling to the west in Kazakhstan the mountains give way to the vast steppes and also the desert.
Things to See on Your Holidays in Kyrgyzstan
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on September 9, 2010
Often referred to as the Switzerland of Asia, Kyrgyzstan is very different from the other countries. It comes with its own share of customs, and surprises, filling the mountainous landscape. Compared with the dry and hot plains of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, this place is quite refreshing. Even though it does not have a long running history, the natural beauty of this place makes up for all the drawbacks. People here are very friendly and helpful, so travelling here is that much easier.
When making a trip out into this wilderness, remember to carry a local guide and the list of five places that you must see, which will make it that much more fun.
Kazakhstan – You Drinking – Other People Driving
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on September 9, 2010
Firstly, many thanks to those who commented on my last article (Kazakhstan – NOT Borat Land !!!). A few people noted that I had left out details of drinking and driving here in Kazakhstan. I should make clear that cars are NOT pulled by horses, despite how the film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan portrays motor traffic.
If there is a chance you’ll be drinking, then it’s likely someone will want you to say a few words, when it comes to your turn in the toast making.
You don’t need to be Over The Top, but DO make sure you thank your hosts for the meal/drink/their time (especially true if it is 4am, and they have work in 3 hours!).
You can wax lyrical if you have enough to say, but don’t feel abashed at all if you just want to say something like:
“First I’d like to thank Mr & Mrs Jones for their hospitality; I really appreciate your thoughts (assuming they mentioned you in their toast ;>). I hope to enjoy my stay here, and look forward to seeing this…. etc. etc.”
Back to driving. For those that ever sat in a car with me at the wheel, now is the time for you to admit it could have been so much worse…
I’m glad to say that in the last 5 years of visits to, and now living in, Kazakhstan, I’ve only been in a car once, that has been crashed into, but if this is going to be your first time driving/being driven off the continent, just remember one thing – loud screams/whimpers will distract the driver, and therefore increase the likelihood of a mishap.
Kyrgyzstan Casinos
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on September 9, 2010
The actual number of Kyrgyzstan casinos is something in a little doubt. As information from this country, out in the very most central part of Central Asia, can be difficult to get, this might not be too surprising. Whether there are two or three legal casinos is the thing at issue, perhaps not quite the most earth-shattering piece of information that we don’t have.
What will be true, as it is of most of the ex-Soviet states, and certainly true of those in Asia, is that there will be many more illegal and underground casinos. The change to legalized gambling didn’t encourage all the former places to come out of the dark into the light: this is true of a lot of the economies of these countries, as well. So, the controversy over the number of Kyrgyzstan’s casinos is a minor one at best: how many legal ones is the thing we’re trying to answer here.