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 meets the horsemen who were going to demonstrate how 
"Kok Boru" is played. Known in Afghanistan as Buzkashi, it a game played with two teams of horsemen competing to take possession of a carcass of a goat or a calf and depositing it in a bin to consider a goal being scored. The number of players in each team can vary and is not fixed.

 

Start of the game with six housemen charging to take possession of the carcass. There is someone on horseback who acts as the umpire. Kok Boru is part of the World Nomad Games celebrating Central Asian and nomadic heritage. It was last held in Aug/Sep this year In Kyrgyzstan.

In addition to the game, other horse-riding skills were displayed. Wrestling on horseback is one. For this, the horse plays its part too by blocking the other hose when the players tussle for the carcass.

The carcass of a goat used for the game. The head and its hooves are removed. It is not unusual that after a game, the carcass is cooked and shared among the players believing the meat is better tenderized by the heaving and hoofing.

After the game, it was off to the home of an enterprising villager for lunch. Elaman and our driver are tucking in. You see salads, bread and cheese, sort of starters before the main dish

Nearby the Burana Tower we visited another site which housed a Silk Road city in the past. These are the foundations of what was a Nestorian church.

When we arrived at our destination for a stay in a yurt camp, we found out the camp was new and owned by the boss of the company taking care of us. A Japanese from another group is starting the process of planting a Sakura tree. Later, I was invited to cut the ribbon with the Japanese tour leader, 

Part of the youth yurt camp with the Ala Too Mountains in the background. In front is Issyk Kul (lake) which is also called "Hot Lake" as it doesn't freeze in winter. The lake is 182 km long, 60 km wise with a depth reaching 1,607m. It is the second largest salt lake in the World after Lake Titicaca in S America.  

Yurts (Gur in Mongolian) are set in a cluster of three.

It being the opening ceremony, a family of local entertainers, 
with a baby in tow, was engaged to perform for us.

 

The bedroom is not included in a traditional yurt where the whole family sleeps on mattresses on the floor. Alas, this is luxury in the camp with both air-con and heater and an en suite toilet and cloakroom to boot!

This a called a Tunduk which is essential for air circulation.

Near the youth camp lies Skazka Canyon aka Fairy Tale Canyon. In the background is Issyk Kul.

The colour of the rocks here is like that of Charyn Canyon, They are vivid in red, yellow and orange.

Vast expense of canyon to be explored. Good spot to hike with many formations resembling castles, dragons and even the Great Wall of China. The canyon got its English name as "Skazka" in Russian stands for fairy tale.

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.