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Month: February 2020

Almaty or Baby, It’s cold outside

Almaty or Baby, It’s cold outside

The City of Almaty or Alma Ata meaning „Apple Grandfather“ dates back to the 10th Century before Christ, but the name Almatu only appeared around 1285 A.D. When traveling by train through Kazakhstan, it’s not the most beautiful parts of towns you’ll see. I guess it’s like everywhere – the buildings look kind of run down and there is rubbish lying around. The upmarket quarters of cities are usually not facing the train tracks. So after three days of train…

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Crazy Train – 62 hours from Saratov to Almaty

Crazy Train – 62 hours from Saratov to Almaty

Long journey, long post, so for those readers only after useful information first things first: If you are considering this trip you’re probably asking yourself the visa-question. The answer is: No, you don’t need a double-entry Visa for Russia, even though the train meanders between the borders and goes back to Russia for a short time after it has already passed the border to Kazakhstan. A single-entry Visa is absolutely fine.

Saratov on the Volga

Saratov on the Volga

We only stopped at Saratov to take the train to Almaty, leaving from Saratov station every other day on its crazy-long more than 60 hours (!!) journey. To prepare ourselves mentally for that, and to relax after the 12 hour train ride from Moscow we decided to stay for three days.  What is there to say about Saratov? It’s definetly off the beaten path. No one speaks English here, not in our Hotel Polina, nor anywhere else really. But that’s…

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