Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 5 – Backpacking in Kopachi

Posted on January 18, 2016January 15, 2016 by Jonny Blair

“I can feel the warning signs running around my mind” – Noel Gallagher. So far the day tour of Chernobyl has the mind constantly churning with thoughts. Against a dirty, smoggy, swollen sky it hardly seems appropriate to smile at any point. It’s easy to know that something bad happened here. You just sense it Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 5 – Backpacking in Kopachi[…]

How to Get a Permit to Visit Gorno Badakhshan While Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Posted on January 17, 2016January 8, 2018 by Jonny Blair

This article might actually need a quick introduction. Mainly because most people I have met have never heard of a “country” called Gorno Badakhshan. In fact, even some Kyrgyzs people I have met this week were unaware of the existence of this disputed state, an autonomous region that has been claimed by China, Russia and Read more about How to Get a Permit to Visit Gorno Badakhshan While Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan[…]

How to Get a Tajikistan Visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Posted on January 16, 2016January 17, 2016 by Jonny Blair

So I arrived into “the Stans” in late December 2015 after a brief spell in southern Kazakhstan, where I toured Ile Alatau, Almaty and a few bars, then I crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan. I didn’t need a visa for Kazakhstan (15 days on arrival on a British passport) nor for Kyrgyzstan (60 days on arrival Read more about How to Get a Tajikistan Visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan[…]

Staying at the Luxury 4 Star Hotel Evropa (Europa) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Posted on January 15, 2016January 15, 2016 by Jonny Blair

At the end of December 2015, I crossed the border from the Kazakhstani town of Korday into the magical world of Kyrgyzstan. After initially touring some cool sights in the north of the country, like Ruh Ordo, Ala Archa National Park and the Petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata, it became obvious that I would use the Read more about Staying at the Luxury 4 Star Hotel Evropa (Europa) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Posted on January 14, 2016January 6, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Almaty is a massive city, spreading far and wide in its elevation beneath the mountains of southern Kazakhstan. At first, finding a bar seemed like a difficult task for the walking backpacker. So I used my maps and advice from the staff at the Almaty Backpackers hostel and soon I knew I was able to Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Almaty, Kazakhstan[…]

Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 4 – Secret Duga Radar System

Posted on January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

“Your joys are counterfeit. This happiness corrupt political shit” – Richey James Edwards. So in the fourth installment of my trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, I report on the journey driving down a Soviet built “road” through a dense forest to a radar system, often known as DUGA 1. This part of the tour seemed less Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 4 – Secret Duga Radar System[…]

Simply in awe of the mountains of Kazakhstan and Almaty Lake below

Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Day Trip to Ile Alatau National Park from Almaty

Posted on January 10, 2016February 15, 2016 by Jonny Blair

When I was based in Almaty Backpackers in Kazakhstan, I was keen to organise a trip out to the mountains. Almaty itself is a city on a high elevation and only 40 kilometres outside the city is the stunning Ile Alatau National Park. Getting to Ile Alatau National Park Getting here by Marshrutka or normal Read more about Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Day Trip to Ile Alatau National Park from Almaty[…]

Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Top 13 Sights in Almaty

Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Top 14 Sights in Almaty

Posted on January 9, 2016January 9, 2016 by Jonny Blair

On Christmas Eve 2015, I arrived in the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan. This city is huge, the biggest in Kazakhstan in fact, despite modern Astana being the capital city. I had flirted with Central Asia and “the Stans” a few times before, visiting Iraqi KurdiSTAN and PodjiSTAN as well as backpacking through Iran, Azerbaijan and Read more about Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Top 14 Sights in Almaty[…]