When I was looking for places to visit in 2025, I started looking at the Central Asia Stans. Like I mentioned in my post about Uzbekistan, I had never been to this part of the world, so 2025 would be my opportunity to see this part of the world. I looked to see which of them allowed visa free travel and I saw Kazakhstan was one of the few that did.
I looked for flights and found some fairly cheap ones with LOT Polish Airlines. I had to change in Warsaw but that was OK. I didn’t mind having to change. The layover was only about 90-minutes each time.
I had everything packed from when I came home from Uzbekistan, so it was a quick 5-minute job to check and then pack the last few bits.
I headed to the station for the train to London. Once I got to London, this is where the problems started. I went to get the Piccadilly line to Heathrow and as I was sitting there, one of the workers came on the train and turfed us all off, saying further along the line they had a power failure and they weren’t going anywhere. I then went for the Northern Line to Euston to change to go to Tottenham Court Road for Crossrail. Once I got there, they had closed the entrance to the platforms I needed, saying they had a power failure there, too. I asked one of the workers, and they told me I needed to go to Farringdon for Crossrail. I found another worker, and they said to get Crossrail, and I told them about the issues with Crossrail, and they said to go to King’s Cross for the Piccadilly line. I told them of those issues, and they checked and said the line was open. I went back there and got on the train, and it was finally going all the way to Heathrow. Such a palaver.
I had 2 hours now until the flight was due to leave. I had timed it so I had 3.5 hours. It’s a good job I did due to all of the delays. We boarded, and as we were, they were weighing the carry-on cases. Mine was about 9kg, and LOT allow 8kg. Thankfully, they let me on. I found my seat and stowed my bags. I had an exit row seat, and I was so happy about that as it gave me a little more leg room. We ended up being late to leave Heathrow. We were nearly an hour late leaving, and I was concerned because of the 90-minute layover in Warsaw. I asked the cabin crew and they said it should be fine as long as we were at the gate 15 minutes before the departure time.
We landed and I rushed off the plane (turns out it wasn’t really needed). I went back through security and had to give up my drinks – so annoying! I went to the gate and we ended up boarding and leaving 47-minutes late. It seems the stars were aligned for me today.
On the flight to Astana, we were given a meal. I had some chicken and rice. It wasn’t too bad. I think I managed to get a couple of hours sleep too.
We landed in Astana, and I went straight to immigration so I could just get out of the airport.
Astana
Almaty
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Today was my first full day here. Once I cleared immigration and customs, I went to find an ATM so I could get some cash out as the hostel said they only accepted cash.
I was surprised the ATM didn’t charge any withdrawal fees. Bonus for me. I get to keep more of my money.
I headed out to book a Yandex and got bombarded with “cheap taxi, sir” or “official taxi, sir”. I just kept my head down and carried on walking.
I went and got a couple of pictures of the airport
I ordered the Yandex, and after 10 minutes, it said it was seeking a different driver as the original one was delayed.
This driver turned up within a few minutes, and we were hostel-bound. It took about 40 minutes to get here from the airport. I’m so glad he had the AC on, as it was already 27° at 09:30.
I got to the hostel and then checked in. It turns out you don’t have to just use cash. They take card too. They were kind enough to let me check in as soon as I arrived. It was lovely. All I wanted to do was have a shower and change my clothes. The showers here are really nice too. It was very welcome.
I got ready and then decided to head out to some of the places I had seen on the map and also on the drive in.
The architecture here is typical Soviet. It’s cool though. They have some great urban design. They are massive structures too.
I went by the opera house but they’re going work on it so there isn’t much you can get up and see sadly.
I looked across the road and there was another huge building. I think this one is a shopping mall (they are all over here).
From sideways on, it looks tilted
I ended up in Lovers Park (yuck) and looking at this gigantic structure that looked down to a fountain and then the Baiterek tree structure. It looks really cool – more to come on that.
I carried on walking in that direction. I just wanted to see what was in this area. I found a few stalls selling magnets. I got them here and I thought they were pretty good.
I carried on walking and got to some more fountains and stopped to have a drink and to enjoy the sound of the water and the general noise.
I saw a mosque that I decided I would go back to. I also wanted to check out another souvenir shop I had seen. I was on the lookout for a flag this time.
I went into the mall, but it seemed like it was all furniture. I was beginning to give up and headed for the exit. I then saw it out of the corner of my eye and went upstairs and found a flag.
I left here and headed to the Baiterek. As I was walking to it, I noticed that there was a lift that was in use. I decided I would check it out.
I went into and went through the metal detector and my bag through the X-ray. I went and got my ticket. It was 2,000 KZT (about £2.50) for the ticket. I got the lift up and had a look around. The way it was shaped and the colour of it meant pictures weren’t really possible. I was disappointed and glad I only paid the price I did.
I started to panic up there a little when I couldn’t find the key for the locker at the hostel. I checked all my pockets but nothing. It made me change my plans.
I headed back down and took a video of the ride down. As you can see, not a lot can be seen.
I was going to go by the presidential palace and have a look by the river, but decided to go as far as the Astana sign and then head to the mosque.
I headed to the mosque, and just after I got there, the call to prayer sounded. The mosque is pretty impressive.
Once I was done here, I headed for the hostel (via McDonald’s) to find the key.
I got back, and it was sitting on a ledge inside the bed. I was so relieved, too.
Today was a pretty good day. Tomorrow will be more sightseeing.
Total steps: 18,591
Total miles: 8.16
Total kilometers: 13.13Below are some pics from today
I think I managed a full 3 hours of sleep last night. I was so tired, but it was so hot in the room. I don’t know why they don’t turn on the AC when it’s so hot.
I got up at about 05:40 and then went and showered and got ready. I packed the last couple of bits, and I got a message from Aidos saying he was outside, but there was no rush. I told him I was almost ready and would be out in a few minutes.
We had a chat – via Google translate – on the way to the airport and he asked me to message him when I got home. I told him I would.
We got to the airport and I tried to give him some money, but he wouldn’t accept it. I don’t want him to do it for free. He messaged me later and said they believe in doing good things and good karma.
I had to get a paper boarding pass at this airport before I could go through to immigration.
At immigration, the border guard scrutinised my passport thoroughly. I don’t know why. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen all the time. He then asked me how much currency I had. I’m guessing it could be down to all the stamps I have in my passport (95 at last count). I pulled out my wallet and showed him. It was about 12,000 KZT. He then stamped my passport and wished me a good flight.
Security was fairly easy too. Nothing flagged up and I then went to the duty free to get something to drink and then went to find some food. I found a cookie for 1,800 KZT (nearly £3). It was delicious though. 2 cookies sandwiched together with some kind of cream cheese filling.
I found a lounge seat after this and I slept for about 40 minutes. It was needed. Once I woke up it was time to queue to board. The queue went fairly quick too. I just wanted to get my seat. I found it and a woman was in it. I told her that it was mine and her face dropped. Probably because I’m a chunk and she has to sit in the middle. I don’t feel bad at all.
The weather is rainy in Astana and by the time we were boarding it was heavy rain. Thank goodness for the jet bridge I say.
The climb up was bad. It was really bumpy. the cruise wasn’t too bad though bumpy at times. I didn’t realise the flight would be nearly 7 hours too. It was on a single aisle narrow body too.
They gave us breakfast on this flight. It was a choice of omelette or raspberry cheesecake. Yep, cheesecake. I opted for that since I didn’t know what was going to be served with the omelette.
The cheesecake was really nice.
I slept for a couple of hours on the flight, which I never usually do. I was just so tired from the lack of sleep last night.
It was so good to finally get off the flight. There were a few people in a rush because of connections. It was a free-for-all though. It was annoying because people were just pushing and shoving.
I went back through security (this time with an empty water bottle) and then got something to drink and sat at the gate.
They announced the flight was full and if anyone wanted to check their bags they could for free. I took my power bank out and checked it. It got a pretty priority sticker too. I was told to leave it at the steps of the plane as we were going there by bus. Hopefully it makes it to London.
We were kept on the bus for about 15 minutes whilst they were looking at some stuff on the plane. They finally let us on and after 20 minutes the captain said they were having an issue with the communication system (I was just waiting to be told it would be cancelled) and that they should have it sorted within 15 minutes.
We ended up taking off 30 minutes late. I looked at FR24 for this flight (as I do with all) and it’s regularly late taking off, so it wasn’t really a surprise.
The flight was quite bumpy most of it so I was t able to sleep. We finally landed and, because I was in the last row, it took ages to get off. Thankfully immigration and baggage were quick and I went for the tube. I got there and the Piccadilly Line was closed for works so I had to go get Crossrail. Instead of the £5.80 tube fare, I had to pay £13.90 for that privilege.
I got to Farringdon and then had to get a train to Bedford and then a replacement coach home.
It’s been a long travel day, and I was glad to be in bed and not unpack.
Kazakhstan is a country I will go back to and one I would encourage you to visit.
Total steps: 93,345Total miles: 41.63
Total kilometers: 67.00
View all of my Almaty media here
View all of my Astana media here
View all of my Charyn/Kolsai media here