Monday 9 September 2013

Flying High - Once a Year :)

Hello, dear friends! I hope your weekend was/or is great and you had good time with your loved ones, did some nice cooking, baking, and simply enjoyed your time. My weekend was not as active as I hoped for, due to some reasons. But yes, there was good food, some nice talks with my D, and movie watching on the big screen at home :) 
Today I am doing the last post from my Trip Home series, hehe.   This year me and D planned something different, as we wanted to see some more of my country. Hence we spent last days of our visit to Kazakhstan in Almaty, city in the South of the country, an ex-capital of it, and an awesome place to be! Here is we are on the way to it - wonderful view from the plane. 
We stayed at our friends place who recently shifted there. We arrived in the afternoon, and were out in the city in one hour and a half after that. We took the local bus, asked the conductor how to get where we wanted to, and here we were, at one of the most popular place to visit in Almaty - the Park of Culture and Recreation named after Gorky, a heritage of Soviet past, and it did look like time stopped there. This is the entry to the park.
The long flower bed was also a significant feature of such Soviet projects. You can spot a statue in the end of the flower bed, guess who is that?
Of course, Maxim Gorky, who was a Russian/Soviet writer, a political activist. But most I liked the bushy ivy weaved around the tree. Gorgeous nature!
We had a long walk in the park, exploring the places. There was this interesting fountain, would never think of meeting anything mythological in there. later we had a ride on that Ferris wheel. 
A slow ride, which gave us opportunity to see the TV tower, which became our destination the next day.
After that we continued our stroll, and once again saw the typical Soviet building - a Rodina Cinema (Motherland Cinema), fully functioning.
But India was calling me, when we stumbled upon a stand advertising Mehendi (henna) art. 
Oh yea, we were tired, plus I started falling sick that day and had a bed sore throat. We stopped at one of the cafes, had pizza and some beer (yea, I know, I shouldn't have had it, but I wanted to, before I was going to be away from any of Kazakhstani beers till next year). This cute cat came to us, but refused eating a piece of pizza, so I considered she was not that hungry, or pizza was not that good.
That day we came home back home around 9pm, asking people how to get at the location we needed, but we found it, and enjoyed walking under the street lights. 
Next day was not at all the way we planned it, because I had high fever till afternoon, and only after it subsided, we were able to go out again. I really couldn't afford cancelling our plan, and we headed up the hills. First, by local bus, then by small bus which delivered us on the top of the mountain Kok-Tobe, the highest point of Almaty city. It was worth it!
Being up on Kok-Tobe was a great experience for both of us, though we were in the Himalays few times already, the atmosphere of this place was different -  lively, and at the same time relaxing, fresh air and beautiful views! While walking on the path, we noticed that a girl was clicking photos of something on the tree, and we were so much pleased to see that it was a cute squirrel, busy with eating of the pine cone seeds. I adore those little fingers holding the seed!
From Kok-Tobe you could the whole city down there, the wide avenue took our attention - it was shining in the sun.
Soon we approached the point closest to that TV tower we saw the day before. 

From another viewpoint one could observe the snow peaks, perhaps of the Tian Shan range of mountains. After this picture our camera's battery died, and we had to continue  taking snaps with the mobiles, but you know, they were as good. Anyway, I think that these many photos can give you an idea of what Almaty city is. We liked it very much, and wouldn't mind living there if we can.
 
The next early morning we were awake, and proceeded out journey, now further, to India. I had the last glimpse of my native land (this year), waved "See you", and...
was going to be in Delhi in three and a half hours. The view of the mountains was breathtaking, and by the way Tian Shan is a part of Himalays, so India and Kazakhstan are connected.
I had emotional moments when leaving my land this year, even my D was sad, but what is important that we are always together, ready to support, to understand and love each other. Now my crochet "marathon" has started, and I will keep myself busy with it, like many of you suggested as to decrease that level of missing of KZ:)
Have a wonderful week ahead, value precious time, friends!

30 comments:

  1. I loved reading all about your travels and seeing your interesting photos. Wonderful views from the Ferris wheel I bet! Have a lovely week xx

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    1. Thanks, Maggie! I am glad you liked having a glimpse of my trip. I am really happy to share these moments with all my friends!

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  2. What a nice and unusual choice of travel! Interesting! :)

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  3. Such beautiful photos of your travels and how cute it that squirrel:) Have a lovely week.

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    1. The squirrel was the cutest creature I've seen so close.. (besides cats,hehe). Thanks!

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  4. Wow, those mountains are beautiful!

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  5. What an amazing trip! I love your photos! Like I said in an earlier comment, I don't think I've ever seen any pictures of Kazakhstan, even though you hear the name on the news from time to time. It's beautiful!!! Love the mtn shots too.

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    1. So, My mission accomplished! I am so glad you like travelling with me, Jojo!

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  6. Gorky Park! Finally I understand where it is located. And now I know someone who has been there! Your photos are great, even the cell phone ones. Linda @Wetcreek Blog

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    1. Yea, Linda! Also a bigger one is in Moscow too. Right, that band Gorky park took its name from the Moscow one.
      Thanks for reading my blog!

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  7. What a great trip! Beautiful photos. I love "traveling" with my blogging friends.

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    1. Thanks, Charlotte! And i like taking you a long :)

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  8. Lovely photo's,thank you for sharing your last day home with us it looks beautiful, have a great week Anna :)

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  9. What a nice trip you had! Those mountains are spectacular, and the city looks like an interesting place - full of history.

    I too love the little squirrel "fingers". :)

    I hope your crochet marathon goes well.

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    1. Thanks, Sue! aren't they indeed fingers? with little claws!:)
      It is going on well, but I wish I had more time.

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  10. I love all your photos! So beautiful! The cat is so cute and that squirrel is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing all of this ;o) Very special! (Was the pizza good? LOL!)
    (just to let you know, the painting you signed up for on my giveaway is a 5" x 7" painting. I hope that is ok? I think you thought it was an aceo, which the size would have only been 2.5" x 3.5". Thought I would let you know, just incase you won and you didn't want the painting!)

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    1. Thanks for reading!!! I am glad you liked seeing my country!
      Well, I don't mind (in case I win) to have a bigger painting with me, it would be wonderful!

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  11. I understand the sadness, but just think how wonderful it will be when you get back to visit.

    I haven't being back to the Dominican Republic in a few years. We are supposed to go next year, I wonder how it will go...

    Hugs!

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    1. You shall visit your native land if you can, Magaly. It gives you strength...:) It will go all well, don't worry!
      Hugs to you too!

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    2. You shall visit your native land if you can, Magaly. It gives you strength...:) It will go all well, don't worry!
      Hugs to you too!

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  12. Sorry to hear that you were so sick at the end of your holiday -- but you still managed to have a good time! Beautiful photos of a beautiful city. I laughed at what you said about the cat refusing the pizza. Poor kitty looked pretty skinny though.

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  13. Almaty does look like a wonderful city. I hope you've settled back into your life in India now and aren't missing home too much x

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  14. Oh I hate when getting sick on a trip, you plan and plan and then UGH! Hope you are feeling better! I love squirrels! They are adorable!! and you know I love cats, hence my name!! I will offer a cat anything before I eat it, because they know when something is bad, well, that is how the old wives tale goes, not sure if there is truth there or not...but hey I won't take any chances with food! hahahaha!

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  15. BEautiful pictures, specially Kok-Tobe pics. I loved the place. Thanks for sharing the pics. Appreciate your spirits. Inspite of having fever, carrying on with the plan. Though it mellows down the funa a bit. Nevertheless. Better than not going at all. Good Anna. I too am like that. Would persist on going ahead with a picnic inspite of any sickness. Hmmm... Glad you enjoyed your holiday back home.

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  16. Lovely pictures, Anna!! Thanks for sharing!!
    Henna, Himalaya and Hindustanka - all three make great bond between both countries :)
    About D being sad, I think he might be because his vacation was ending ;) did you check with him ? ...just kidding ;)

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  17. Welcome back, dear Anna, nice to have you back in blogland! I'm happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in your homeland :-)). Too bad that you got sick in the end, but I hope you're better now. I really enjoyed watching all those lovely pictures, thank you so much for sharing!!

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