Tim Russell Photography

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@Ajarncom Example - last one there was no running water when we arrived and it took them 7 hours to respond to messages - in a hotel this would've been fixed within minutes, or we'd have been moved to another room.

@Ajarncom Airbnb reviews baffle me. Last one I stayed in was an absolute shithole to the point of being dangerous, yet it had 5* reviews across the board. Well, it used to anyway. I like the concept of it but too many problems and I stick to hotels now

I contacted our Air BnB owner to tell him the shower wasn't particularly hot. He replied with 'yes, it's often like that in the morning because the temperature is centrally controlled and everyone in the condo building takes a shower at the same time. It's better to take a shower at night" Why has no one in the 54 glowing reviews mentioned this? I find that amazing. Sorry Mr Nurlan, but I'm going to be the first person to put it in a review. I don't want to destroy your business but who showers in coldish water when it's 6 degrees outside? Oh, and a cheap toaster would be lovely.

@Ajarncom Amusingly they tried to claim the stuff in image 4 belonged to guests. Yes, I too take a footstool and a dustpan & brush with me when I travel

@Ajarncom Some pics:

I see your point but some Air BnBs have 100+ reviews. They can't all be from friends and morons surely?

@Ajarncom Always one of the first places I head to - great way to start to understand the culture of whichever destination you happen to be in.

Travel is a series of decisions. Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you get it wrong. No one gets it 100% right. The best travel advice I ever read. Don't walk around an art gallery just because it's on a must-do list... if you're not an art gallery person.

@Ajarncom Looks like Almaty has changed a lot since my last visit, when thankfully the ridiculous concept of 'brunch' had not yet reached Kazakhstan. Make sure you get up to Great Almaty Lake, it's spectacular.

We're in an area surrounded by pricey coffee shops - the avocado and toast mob. But for a tasty, cheapish breakfast, it's the Turks to the rescue! Degirmen seem to have a few branches around Arbat / Panfilov.

"I liked to stay in bed for hours ... It was good in there, nothing ever occurred in there, no people, nothing.” - Charles Bukowski

@Ajarncom Main market is really interesting - they have excellent bread and the horsemeat sausage is good too

Day one done. In truth Almaty hasn't set us on fire like Istanbul or Tbilisi. It's pleasant enough but we haven't found the gritty suburbs yet. We'll probably have to get out and about on the metro to find those.

A photo thread on our first day in Almaty, Kazakhstan #Almaty2026

@itpcc Yeah loved the saucer landing in Bangkok, brilliant

@TimRussellPhoto So do I!

Kraftwerk in Bangkok tonight, absolutely sensational. I'm an emotional mess. And who knew that QSCC is such a great concert venue. Brilliant night all round ❤️

@TimRussellPhoto 😆😆😆who says I don't like them?

@BryanKilvinski Whatever. Why bother going if you don't like them?

@TimRussellPhoto 🤣 how strange that they need to have 4 on stage then. Are the other guys checking emails while they are standing there? 😁

@BryanKilvinski Original lineup was just Ralf & Florian, so I'm sticking with 50% 😁 Either way it was a fucking amazing gig and a very emotional experience for someone who's been listening to them for over 40 years

@TimRussellPhoto Lol no, it's 25% So it doesn't 😁

Massive respect for this business in Song Wat

@BryanKilvinski Still 50% of the original lineup so it still counts 😁

@TimRussellPhoto best tribute band ever 😉

A few shots for #G365ShootThroughIt

@Ajarncom Oh it's unmissable if you're in Almaty. Stunning scenery. Not really a lot else to see in & around Almaty tbh. You won't regret it 😀

@TimRussellPhoto I thinks it's 3 hours plus according to Google maps. Which is 6 hours return. Might have to pass on that one.

So let's see what Kazakhstan has got to offer. I know a few people on here are interested in going so I'll try and tweet a photo thread at the end of each day. We're basing ourselves in Almaty, and from what we’ve read, it’s a mix of slightly faded Soviet vibes, modern bits looking cool, and some seriously impressive mountain scenery thrown in for good measure. Not entirely sure what to expect - which is probably half the appeal. Temperatures look to be in the low 20s during the day but going chilly at night. We'll do our best to go out and experience some nature and maybe one or two neighboring towns that are off the tourist trail, but most of the main attractions are too far away and require a 7-8 hour return journey by minibus - and we would have to do them on a group tour. We hate group tours with a passion! We've been bitten too many times - stuck on some ancient minibus with poor suspension, bad air-conditioning and your knees around your chin. I'm just too old for that lark. We're happy to just wander the Almaty streets, take in a few sights, maybe get on a local bus now and then, find a few backstreet restaurants - but all at a very leisurely pace. Anyway, let's see how it goes. Hashtag #Almaty2026