The Backpacking Boomers

I squeeze my eyes shut as we crest the hill into nothingness, opening them as we careen back down into the steppe grasslands, scattering herds of sheep in all directions. It’s day one of our two-day off-road adventure through Kazakhstan’s remote and wild terrain of Charyn Canyon National Park, home to the Charyn River. Our skilled driver-guide Damir, who knows this area intimately, gives us a bird’s-eye view of unique landscapes along the canyon’s 154-kilometre length. He has

Ah, train travel: that relaxing, languid way to see a country, one that we particularly enjoy. Well, usually. But we’re not so sure this time. The sixteen-hour overnight journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to the capital city, Astana, presents a challenge. We have the top bunks in a four-berth cabin, turning our journey into more of an adventure than we had anticipated. Almaty Train Station. It’s dinner time when we board, too early to settle in for the night. We enjoy sandwiche

We meander slowly through Almaty’s Green Bazaar, Kazakhstan’s oldest, enveloped by its vibrant sights, sounds, and smells. As foodies, we can spend a lot of time in markets. But it’s not only the food that enthralls us — markets are a dynamic world of discovery, a window into the history, culture, and daily lives of a people. Coriander, black cumin, black pepper, sesame seeds and parsley are popular. Kazakhs are heavy tea drinkers. Row after row of meat stalls — chicken, goat

After our travels in India several years ago, we thought nothing could compare to the Hindu temples we saw — that is until we visited Batu Caves, a few kilometres from Kuala Lampur. Lord Murugan literally can’t be missed. Visible from kilometres away, the colossal 43 metre golden statue of the Hindu deity, god of war, victory and wisdom is the tallest statue in Malaysia. Lord Murugan stands at the ready, wielding a vel or divine spear, to protect the 400 million-year-old lime