Visiting the 'stans

[harrymsmarkle]

By Brandon Presser
March 4, 2020, 2:35 PM GMT+7

cocktail party bragging rights for the early-adopting travelers who pave the way.



Steppes Travel is the rare operator focusing on tailor-made trips to the region rather than standard-package group tours; its managing director, Justin Wateridge, prefers a deeper dive into Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan instead. The former, one of our Best Places to Travel in 2020reported any cases of Covid-19.)



Bishkek and the Chuy Valley




Ashu Guesthouse

Photographer: Brandon Presser
Ak-Sai Yurt Camp

Originally hewn by glacial flow, the banks of Song-Kul are a grassy retreat for summer herders surrounded by a halo of peaks. A scatter of humble accommodations has cropped up here in recent years, the best being the Ak-Sai yurt camp. Its prim versions of traditional nomadic abodes have Western-style beds; by summer, many of the tents will have private bathroom facilities as well.

Photographer: Brandon Presser




Song-Kul Lake

eagle hunting

Photographer: Brandon Presser




The Tian Shan Mountains



East of Karakol, along a gushing stream that feeds a roaring gorge, is Karkara Base Camp

Photographer: Brandon Presser

Tashkent





Photographer: Brandon Presser




Samarkand







Photographer: Brandon Presser




Bukhara





Photographer: Brandon Presser

Khiva





Photographer: Brandon Presser

[sabang]

I think more people should visit the Bantustans of occupied Palestine. There is much rich history and a vibrant cultural heritage there- such as Bethlehem, the birthplace of the big JC, the Tomb of Abraham in Hebron, and even (if you can swallow spending money in what is now Israel) the ancient city of Jaffa- by some accounts the longest continously occupied city in the world. Some fantastic ancient Churches too- try to get there before the illegal Settlers trash them all.

Of course the Israeli occupiers and oppressors will try to make it as difficult as possible for you, but surely that just makes it more worth doing. I would think a similar logic applies in the central Asian stans. May as well do the Olde Silk Road, before it becomes part of the New Silk Rd!

[harrymsmarkle]

I think more people should visit the Bantustans of occupied Palestine. There is much rich history and a vibrant cultural heritage there- such as Bethlehem, the birthplace of the big JC, the Tomb of Abraham in Hebron, and even (if you can swallow spending money in what is now Israel) the ancient city of Jaffa- by some accounts the longest continously occupied city in the world. Some fantastic ancient Churches too- try to get there before the illegal Settlers trash them all.

Of course the Israeli occupiers and oppressors will try to make it as difficult as possible for you, but surely that just makes it more worth doing. I would think a similar logic applies in the central Asian stans. May as well do the Olde Silk Road, before it becomes part of the New Silk Rd!

...*cough*...I think you may have piggy-backed an errant thought onto my post...just sayin'...

[Somchai Boonporn]

....and a rich history with considerable influence and contributions.

[Arthur Daley]

Most people here are happy with a tour of the Nakhorns

[harrymsmarkle]

Most people here are happy with a tour of the Nakhorns

...talk about lowered expectations......

[Arthur Daley]

Thai aspirations, in general

[harrymsmarkle]

Thai aspirations, in general

...*cough*...maybe this thread will inspire local civil servants to visit one of the 'stans on a "study" tour or a "fact-finding" mission...

[Somchai Boonporn]

Thai aspirations, in general

Perspire.

[Somchai Boonporn]

...talk about lowered expectations......

...or, creating imaginary judgements when not fully comprehending.

Isolating is a fetid ailment.

[Boon Mee]

Of course the Israeli occupiers and oppressors... !

History is written by the victors.

[harrymsmarkle]

History is written by the victors.

...not always: the 'stans were colonized by the Soviets for decades, but have now reasserted their individual identities through language, religion, culture in general and the growing marginalization of immigrant Russian minorities...their individual histories have changed dramatically in the last 2-3 decades...

[sabang]

^^ So it is said. But having read endless heart rending accounts of the Holocaust, I think it might also be written by the vanquished.

[harrymsmarkle]

^^ So it is said. But having read endless heart rending accounts of the Holocaust, I think it might also be written by the vanquished.

the Holocaust, of course, doesn't reflect the vanquished, but the ultimate victors...George Soros is just one example...

[sabang]

So, you've just given a great boost to the Palestinian and Human rights cause- Cheers! Djoo's had their Holocaust, Pali's their Nakba. This too shall pass.