By We: Friday, 27.7.2012 we had the task to get a citymap so that we would be able to find the Kyrgysistan and Uzbekistan and Mongolian embassies. The hotel didnt have any, so we went to find a bookstore and finally Ro found one in a kisok and We found also one in a different kiosk. In the end we had two different maps – better than nothing ;-) Unfortunately the KG-embassy was not shown on either map, so we searched the address. All our criminalistic knowhow didnt help; we just could not find it! So we changed to the UZ-embassy and found it in no time. Still open we wanted to apply for the visa, but there was no way to get the required paper to be filled-in. You have to fill it by computer (in order to get a barcode) and then print the paper and attach a photo and sign it. So the search for an internet cafe started. But nowadays this is not easy anymore – it looks that everyone has a PC and printer (not to forget the paper and ink) in his pocket!? Anyway, somehow we managed (with the help of many people) to get the document and we were allowed to hand in the document (together with a copy of the passport) the very same day. It took us about 4 hours! The visa should be ready and can be collected in a weeks time; i.e. on Friday, August 3th. Let’s hope and see. After this we were definitely ready for a cool, fresh beer. In the evening we met Brigit and René for diner and a nice chat of what had happened since we met the last time in Ekatarinburg. Very good weather. 33 km.
Saturday, 28.7.2012 another day of „seightseeing by searching“. We went to search for the Mongolian embassy, exactly opposite of the city compared to the UZ-embassy. Also here some searching, but finally we found it and could read a notice that it was closed up to 30. July. So we decided to pay a visit to them on Monday, but search for the Iveco service center in order to get an oil and filter change for Fidibus. Iveco again is at the other side of the city so it was another sightseeing tour for us. Very good weather. 80 km.
Sunday, 29.7.2012 also for us a Sunday. We went to the vista point of Almaty, the Köktöbe. It is a small mountain in front of the big mountains in the south of the city. It can be reached by cablecar and has restaurants, funparks for kids and a nice view over the city of course. Before going to the station of the cable car in the city we had spent some time looking around in that area and what did we find ? The KG-embassy !! Closed of course, but now we knew where to go the next day ! So it was well worth and happily we enjoyed the rest of the day. Very good weather. 30 km.