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Kazakhstan

Most unusal flower on the trip. It almost lookes like snow.

Iconic communication town in the city.

The chance to take a very small rolar coaster down the hill. It was not even as big as a childs wagon. I passed.

Iconic bench statue of the Beatles at a park at the top of a hill overlooking the city of Almaty. The composition of the monument represents a bronze bench on which sits John Lennon playing the guitar, surrounded by the other members of the band standing: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Songs by The Beatles are constantly played from speakers.

Looking across the city of Almaty through the haze.

We had the chance to take a gondola ride down the hill to the city level.

A couple looking in the window of a local bakery probably trying to decide what to take home tonight.

Charyn Canyon National Park is a day trip from Almaty. It is indeed one of the most spectacular places in this region to see the beautiful nature of Kazakhstan. Even though the Charyn Canyon is much smaller than the Grand Canyon in the US, it looks very similar and is equally impressive. The canyon follows the Charyn river for about 30 miles. The walls of the canyon reach up to 900 feet at some point and the colors range from red to brown, yellow and black.

Our group near the first part of walking the open space in the National Park. I decided to walk faster and soon lost all track of time and enjoyed the beauty of the land. It was a weekend so there were a number of people along the walk.

I was fortunate to capture a number of photos without anyone around to enjoy the serenty of the land.

The Charyn Canyon is safe to visit, but it is good to keep in mind that it is remote. Outside of the Valley of castles there are few facilities. If you plan to do some hiking bring enough water, snacks and a mini first aid kit.

Just when you think that there cannot possibly be any more turns dozens more pop up ahead of you. Is there an end to this walk? Yep there is.

The valley of castles is the most famous canyon in the Charyn Canyon and it is where we began our tour down what seemed like 1,000 steps to the canyon floor below.

At last an oasis of running river water in the near distance. Did I mention to bring water? Yep I did. Did I mention to bring first aid? No I did not. Just as the beautiful river was in sight and I was close to it as luck would have it the ground under neath my feet gave way and I fell to the ground on my side, sliding with a camera, backpack trashing my elbow and arm. Several people came to my rescue. None spoke English. But they all had the shock of disbelief. Luckily I had only cut my arm and did not break anything. They helped apply some anti bacterial items on my bloody arm. When the rest of the group arrived I looked like I had been in battle.

The valley of castles is a beautiful walk. But it can seem endless at times walking with no end in sight. It is the only obvious hiking trail in the canyon that we saw.

I enjoyed the walk back... bloody arm and all not not bleeding. I slowed my pace.. enjoyed the walk back with friends and decided I really need to just enjoy the walk, nature and good luck to have not broken anything. More embarrassment than injuries. If traveling to this National Park Canyon be sure it is not the heat of the day in summer nor the freezing days in winter. Dress accordingly. All was well at the end of the day when I spotted those steps again. This time I had to walk up. Oh my gosh how could all those steps be so hard going up this time?

I missed the sign coming in. The name of the National Park.

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