Tales from the Road: Experiencing Tajikistan

Where in the world is Tajikistan?!

With fewer than 200,000 visitors in 2012, Tajikistan is not on the average traveler's list of destinations.  The short time I spent in Central Asia's poorest country, however, was filled with countless opportunities for unexpected adventures, awe inspiring landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.


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Five popular hikes from Almaty (and links to some online hiking resources)

The view from the Three Brothers, one of several popular hikes in Almaty

The city of Almaty is situated at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains in the southern part of Kazakhstan.  This location makes it perfect for day hikes into the mountains with several summits within a one-day hike of the city.  Here are a few of the more popular day hikes from Almaty and some resources to assist you in your planning:

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Tales from the Road: A Night at the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory

Big Almaty Lake, as seen from the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory

The collection of wood and cement buildings that make up the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory sit perched on a grassy plateau above Big Almaty Lake, a mere 30km outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan.  There are several observatories in the region, but as far as I know, this is the only one with guest accommodations.

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The Intrepid Traveler: Fear Nothing (not even bedbugs)

Last month, while I was in the UK, I stayed at two establishments (one in Edinburgh and one in London) who had a tiny, little embarrassing problem: Bedbugs (insert dramatic music here).

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Khaki-sandy Girl: Gypsy Taxis for Beginners

Khaki-sandy Girl: Gypsy Taxis for Beginners: Catching a ride in a gypsy taxi in Almaty, Kazakhstan is a bit like hitchhiking, you stand on the side of the road, face the oncoming cars traveling in the direction you want to go, and stick your right arm out with your flat palm pointing slightly down. Some people feel really uncomfortable with Gypsy Taxis but I have not had a bad experience in one.  Aside from the inevitable (and for the most part, innocent) flirtation when a driver finds out you are single, the experience is almost always entertaining and a really great place to practice Russian...

Packing List for a Lake District adventure

What do you need for your trip to the Lake District in Northwest England?  Here's a list of essentials based on my own delicious experience.

The Method, the Madness, and the Case for Traveling Without Plans

A recent conversation with my mother about how I'm conducting my current travels led me to evaluate my travel methodology.  Based on my observations of myself and my friends, I believe there are two extremes to the traveling spectrum that most people fall somewhere between.  On the one hand you have those people who read all the books and fill each minute of each day with a tour, sight, or museum.  Then there are those people who don't plan anything.  They do no research and figure it out as they go.  This summer for example, I met a young traveler in Boise who was figuring out how to get home to Pocatello, Idaho.  As it turns out, my family was driving as far as Twin Falls on Tuesday, so her plans changed to leave Boise Tuesday instead of Friday. For her, traveling was a constant process of making friends.  Need a ride? Make a friend.  Need a bed for the night, make a friend.

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