Glorious Kazakhstan!

Went for a drive with Victor today, where he showed me some of the sights of Almaty. It snowed yesterday all day, but it still wasn't that cold...and the city didn't grind to a halt! The roads get cleared pretty quickly, and they seem to stay that way.

First stop was an awesomely colourful church, which I am going to photograph in the summer a bit better. We traversed the side of a big hill with ease in our trusty Dodge Durango...that thing is like a mountain goat! I was a little nervous, but Victor remained in control at all times!

We went up to the mountain resort where you can ski on Shymbulak, and it was beautiful - up there you are above the clouds and the smog of the city, clear blue skies and clear air. Amazing.

So my blip? It is a statue commemorating Kazakhstan...as much as I can make out, this was to celebrate becoming independent from the Soviet Union, and there are also seperate statues to commemorate their contributions in the two world wars. Touching, yet very impressive and imposing.