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[…]
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[…]
The fact that Lviv Ukraine is brimmed full of wacky themed bars is enough to make any keen pub go-er enjoy this thriving nationalistic city with some style and panache. And let me tell you, it ain’t no glammed up pretentious place either. Italians, leave your Ferraris behind; mainland Brits, forget trying to be a Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine[…]
Back in 2013, I made my first trip to Turkey and ended up staying for three weeks. There were some pure fire highlights along the way and I still rave about the cities of Trabzon and Ankara and the lonely town of Dogubayazit! We started off in mysterious Istanbul, before overlanding through Ankara and Cappadocia Read more about 12 Cool Landmarks to Check out in Turkey[…]
Following on from my incredible morning hiking to the Alpine Cemetery in Ala Archa National Park in Kyrgyzstan, I decide on the easier waterfall and gorge trail in the afternoon. I say easier because the trail is obvious and even has better markings on route, plus a clear path. This was in my first week Read more about Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in Ala Archa National Park Part 2 – The Gorge and Ak Sai Waterfall Trail[…]
“We’re in the army. Now. Woah oh we’re in the army.” – Status Quo. I find it hard to believe that it has been nine years since I backpacked my way to the unknown and non-touristy city of Bobruisk in Belarus. This obscure journey was the story I wrote for Shaun Schofield’s book “Albania to Read more about Backpacking in Belarus🇧🇾: Top 5 Sights in Bobruisk[…]
“It’s easy to fall into something new that shines” – Ben Paulley (2005). So a week ago yesterday I arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan having crossed overland from Kazakhstan. On arrival I received a 60 day entry visa stamp, so yes I can stay legally as a tourist here for a brace of months. At the Read more about Why I’m Spending at Least a Month in Bishkek, Magnetic Kyrgyzstan[…]
The country of Kyrgyzstan seems to hide shyly in the back streets of the backpacking world. It’s not so much a “sleeping giant”, but an “awake baby”. It’s crying to be found, and sometime it will be. While the “self-professed cool crowd” backpack their way through Bangkok, Ulun Danu, Siem Reap and Chiang Mai on Read more about Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in Ala Archa National Park Part 1 – The Alpine Cemetery Trail[…]