Suluu-Terek with the TUK Another trip with the Trekking Union in Kyrgyzstan, another new place explored too quickly. To call Suluu-Terek ‘near Bishkek’ is a bit of a stretch, as the trailhead actually lies just outside of the Chuy Valley inside of Boomskoe Gorge on the way to Issyk-Kol Lake. […]
Central Asia
Bir Bulak – Hiking on the Outskirts of Bishkek
Bir Bulak – Hiking on the Outskirts of Bishkek I can’t decide whether I really like hiking with the Kyrgyzstan Trekking Union or it really annoys me to go do so. The very first trip I went on with them, up to Bir-Bulak Canyon just outside of Bishkek, illustrates the […]
Bishkek Zoological Museum – A Travesty of Science
The Bishkek Zoological Museum: A Travesty of Science Well, it isn’t the worst in the region. I’ve seen a series of pretty dreadful museums scattered throughout Central Asia, and the worst offenders always seem to the be the Zoological Museums. Bishkek is no exception to this rule, though the exhibits […]
Bishkek: The Kyrgyz Cultural Capital
Bishkek: The Kyrgyz Cultural Capital Among the many other reasons I really like Bishkek (mountains and visa-free entry being right towards the top of that list), one of the ones I didn’t expect before I arrived was the presence of constant cultural events. All three apartments I’ve lived in so […]
Bishkek Winter: A Travellers’ Guide
Bishkek Winter: A Travellers’ Guide I’m preparing to leave Bishkek for six weeks, and will actually be on a flight to Istanbul in just a few hours. What better way to say goodbye to Bishkek for the moment, then, than a bit of winter wonderland? It’s cold and icy and […]
Hitting the Trail: Issyk-Ata
One of the reasons Bishkek seems to be like such a liveable city? The multitude of options for hiking and outdoor exploration within just an hour or two of the city. Aside from the restorative properties of the little health spa of Issyk-Ata an hour and a half from Bishkek, […]
Hey there! I'm Stephen, this is my travel blog, and that's me in the poofy hat.
I'm a photographer / writer traveling since 2008, and I've been doing my best to visit amazing places.
My current focus is Central Asia, because for a hiking and camping enthusiast it's as good as it gets.