I love adventures. From Iraq to Belarus, from Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus to the West Bank, from remote Bolivia to Iran, my sense of adventure has taken me to fascinating places around the world—and now I depart for a previously unexplored part of the world: the –stans.
A busy work schedule and attempt to fit the trip into a long weekend so I am not derelict with my school duties means that this will not be a complete trip. Uzbekistan is actually at the top of my list, but Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan will have to wait—my focus on this trip will be on Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which border each other and offer easier visa regimes.
My first stop is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a city that has been described as what Eastern Europe was like 30 years ago. I am expecting something like Minsk, Belarus—where the Soviet Union lives on—with a central Asian bent. Actually, I really don’t know what to expect, and that is what has me so excited about this trip. People say Bishkek is a rather dull city, so I hope to check out Al-Archa National Park as well, though there is a lot of snow on the ground.
Then I will travel overland to Almaty, Kazakhstan, which is sure to be an adventure. I’ll stay in Almaty for a day and a half before stopping in Frankfurt for a half-day on my way back to Philadelphia.
I took advantage of a $500 fare awhile back (which earns full mileage and double RDMs on the Air Canada and Lufthansa segments!) so I guess you could say this trip is a bit of a mileage run as well. It’s funny—it seems like I have traveled so much already this year (and to be honest, I have traveled every weekend, most weekends by air) and yet I’m only halfway to re-qualification for 1K status. Domestic transcons certainly do not add up as fast as international journeys.
One last item: after holding bmi gold status for four years, I let it lapse last year, angry at the high fuel surcharges levied on award tickets and the impending changes to the Diamond Club program. Gold members are awarded four upgrades per year and this would have been the perfect opportunity to use them. Sadly demoted to silver status, though, I’ll be flying in the back while most of the A321 business class cabin goes empty (at least according to the loads I am seeing). It always happens like that, no?
I’ll check-in again in the next day or so.
Good luck with flying AC – I hope you won’t be affected by aftermath of the illegal strike that their baggage handlers staged yesterday.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/03/23/air-canada-wildcat.html
I did the Almaty mileage run in November and had an outstanding stay in the city. Were you able to snag the Intercontinental Almaty at the Point Breaks rate (5000 Priority Club points per night) that was available in the first few weeks of this year? I paid the full points rate for the hotel (30k / night), but the outstanding breakfast and health club made it a decidedly worthwhile redemption.
Skip the F seats for a REAL adventure. The most previledged way to travel is to fly yourself. IMHO
@CP@YOW: I had great flights on AC. Had four seats to myself on the A330 from YYZ-LHR and got a good rest–slept right through the breakfast. I’ve been through YUL, YYC, and YVR before, but this was my first time through YYZ. The Maple Leaf Lounge was tremendous! Seriously, the pasta was exceptional (beef ravioli with tomato and pesto sauce). Great soup, salad, bread, and appetizers as well. If only I had something like this at PHL…
@Dan: I will be staying at the InterContinental in Almaty and am looking forward to it!
@D: Can I borrow your jet?
Where will yo be staying in Bishkek? My sister is deploying to Kyrgyzstan next month as part of the peace corps and there is a good chance I will be visiting her there next year..
@Nathaneil: I stayed at the Hyatt Bishkek for two nights–great property!
@Dan: Man, you were right about the breakfast at the IC Almaty–it was amazing.