CENTRAL ASIA - MELTING POT OF GREAT CIVILISATIONS AND RELIGIONS

Where in Almaty do such beautiful tulip flowers grow? Read on to find out.

 

28 Panfilov Guardsman Park (commonly called Panfilov Park) in Almaty is a very famous attraction. It was established in the 1870's as a city garden. It was renamed in 1942 in honour of 28 soldiers from an Almaty Infantry unit who died in WWll. It encompasses Ascension Cathedral, Glory Memorial with an eternal flame commemorating the fallen soldiers, and an 18-hectare urban park.

The Eternal Flame for fallen soldiers.

Ascension Cathedral (also Zenkof Cathedral) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Almaty. Renowned for its colourful exterior and outstanding wooden construction, it was completed in 1908. It is regarded as one of the tallest wooden churches standing at 56m tall. Architect Andrei Zenkov created an engineering feat by building it out of wood, almost entirely without nails. It survived an earthquake and a period as a Soviet museum but is now under the Russian Orthodox Church. A major restoration was also made in 2020.

Kazakh musical instruments displayed in Central State Museum

An AI created portrait of Ordu, eldest son of Jochi who was the eldest son of Genghis Khan and his wife Borte. This was taken from a museum display about the kingdoms of Genghis Khan's sons.

A museum mock up of the burial of a high-ranking official of the Steppes possibly during the Golden Horde era.
 

Lagman (noodles) fried with beef. Such noodles likely originated in Xinjiang are a crucial part of their cuisine. The Xinjiang name is "La Mien".

Fried horse meat served with raw onions and Coriander. I reckon it's healthy as there is hardly any fat. 

Almaty (capital of Kazakhstan) on a cloudy day from Kok Tobe, an amusement park like Ba Na Hills in Vietnam, albeit on a smaller scale. On that day, it was not well patronised with the cable car down and inclement weather.

The Beatles are assigned their own corner on Kok Tobe. Beatlemania likely affected youngsters in the 60's and 70's for our Russian driver, who is 62 years old, knew about the Beatles song, "Back in the USSR", when I mentioned it during my conversation with Elaman.

About 40 km from Almaty is Huns Ethno Village created to show life in days of old. It can't be ascertained if the Kazakhs are direct descendants of the Huns. 

 

Two Kazakh "warriors" welcomed us.

Introduction to making Bauyrsaks, a traditional fried dough snack. Visitors were also encouraged to try their hands at making it.

A mock wedding was staged where one of the visitors married a local man. It was good fun.

At the end of a demo for how eagles hunt, the trainer got Chong to carry the bird which weighs about 5 kg. But, Chong's gait suggests he was afraid the eagle would peck at his eyes even tho' it was hooded.

Finale of a horsemanship show staged by two male and two female performers.Children were especially thrilled by it.

Visitors were invited to dance with the "villagers" and mingle with horses before lunch.

Fruit vendor at Almaty Green Bazaar which serves as a central market selling all essential food produce needed for daily sustenance.

Meat stall at the bazaar. Shops selling other essentials like medicines ring the bazaar. Unlike markets in S E Asia, such bazaars are clean and dry.

 

Charyn Canyon lies in Charyn Canyon National Park, along the Charyn River, It runs for about 180 km. It ranks No 2 in the World after the Grand Canyon of America, 

Unfortunately. our visit to the canyon was rushed because it not only takes fours to get there. The restaurant there could not serve us lunch as it ran out of water. So, we had to leave to drive back for about two hours to a restaurant before we could have lunch. More time is needed to explore it. Often adventure seekers camp to have a real feel for its beauty and ambience.

Ala-too Square features one of two Manas Monuments in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The building behind is the National History Museum. Manas is a semi-legendary war hero whose name was linked to one of the longest epics in world literature.

 

Burana Tower of the once thriving Balasangun City in the 9th to 13th Centuries. It served as the capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate as well as the Qara Khitai Empire. It was a very important trading centre in the Silk Road. The most famous survivor from the city is Burana Tower which used to be 40m tall but became only 26m following an earthquake. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site,

Elaman, our guide, meets the horsemen who were there to show us how Kok Buru is played (in Afghanistan it is called "Buzkashi"). It is played throughout Central Asia and is a part of the Central Asian World Games this year. It is not a game meant for meek-hearted people.  

 

The game starts and the teams of three horsemen each (this number is not fixed) charge in to collect a carcass of a goat or calf as shown below.

The carcass of a decapitated goat with its paws removed is the item they fight for. This is deposited into a bin on both ends of the field to represent a goal. Oftentimes, the carcass is cooked and shared by the players at the end of the game believing it to be more succulent from the tugging of wrenching for it.

In addition to Kok Boru, the horsemen also showed us some of their other skills like wrestling on a horse. While the man tries to wrench the carcass from the opponent, the horse acts in unison with him to block the opposing team.

After the show, it was time for lunch at a villager's residence. Elaman and our driver are about to tuck in. 

Burana Tower is a famous landmark in the Silk Road.

One of the ruins of the Silk Road is clearly visible here. It's the base of what was a Nestorian church.

When we arrived at the youth yurt camp, we found out that it belongs to the Kyrgyz company operating our tour. There was an opening ceremony in which we took part. Here a representative from a Japanese group is starting the planting of a Sakura tree. Later I was asked to help in cutting the ribbon.

Yurts of the newly-opened youth yurt camp belonging to our agent in Krygystan. Behind is the Tian Shan range and in front is the Issyk-kul (Issuk Lake aka the Pearl of the Tian Shan).

Yurts for guests are set in a cluster of three.

For the opening ceremony a family of local entertainers performed for us, followed by dinner.

This is called Tunduk, which when opened permits air to circulate in the yurt.

The bedroom is not normally featured in a traditional yurt but then this is luxury complete with air-con cum heater

Striking colours of the Shazka Canyon aka Fairy Tale Canyon. 

Skazka Canyon with a peek of Issyk-kul in the background.

The canyon is spread over a huge area and makes for interesting hikes.

We went to watch an Eagle hunting demonstration. In Kazakhstan, eagle hunting is called "Berkutchi". The eagle hunter (left) with his student posing with his eagles.

 

The hunter proudly shows off one of his eagles. During the hunting season, hunters with their eagles will be perched on a mountain. When a prey is spotted, the hunter removes the hood off the eagle's eyes and he will swoop down to catch the prey. Treats are usually given the birds to let the prey off.

Hunting dogs are also used to retrieve prey. 

Ala Acha National Park in Kakazhstan is located in the Tian Shan Mountains which are also in Xinjiang.

This shot is taken from the elevated cable car station 

Samani Mausoleum, named after Ismail Samani, was built in the 10th Century C E for the resting place of the powerful and influential Samani Dymasty. There are three burials there, one of whom is known to be Nasr ll. 

Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum in Bukhara is located near Samani Mausoleum. Its name means Job's Well for legend has it that Job visited the place, struck the ground with his staff and water came forth. To date, the water is still pure and considered healing. The current building was constructed during Temur's reign and is deemed uncommon in Bukhara for its Khwarazm style conical cone. 

Bolo Hauz Mosque was built in 1712 on the opposite side of the Citadel of Ark in Registan district. It was used as a Friday Mosque during the time when the Emir of Bukhara was subjugated under Bolshevik Russian rule in the 1920's. The word "hauz" means pond. There were many ponds used in the past for irrigation and consumption. Overtime, they became polluted, many were filled up and today, a handful remain.  

Minaret of the mosque used for the call to prayer

A portico of the Citadel of Ark which was a massive fortress.

Much of the Ark Fortress was destroyed when the Russians invaded Uzbekistan. In the background is the Old Town of Bukhara. 

At least, the citadel was brightened up by Vazira (our guide), 
shown here with Chong.

The old town of Bukhara, featuring the Poi-Kalyn Minaret, as seen from the Ark Fortress.

Aziz Khan Madrassa, one of the renowned Bukhara madrassas.