Kazakhstan

[spikeyhead]

I had a worried sort of phone call from my mum earlier. Apparently dad's away for a couple of weeks in Kazakhstan. Now my mum's the worlds biggest worrier and she gets twitchy when dad's away. Especially as they're now both in their 70s. I'd like some first hand info to help keep mum calm when I visit.

Anyone know what its like out there?

[captainzep]

I'm 100% confident no one will post any Borat related comments/pictures/quotes.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelstories/article/...

Edited by captainzep on Wednesday 13th August 23:34

[whitechief]

He has been spotted, don't worry.

[fleetelise]

he's already gone and you didn't know he was going?

In his 70s?

What gives?

[Xenocide]

Does he like kyaking?

[whitechief]

Xenocide said:

Does he like kyaking?

Maybe look in Panama?

[neilr]

My brother passed through Kazakhstan on the Mongol rally a week or two ago, no problems for him.

Unless he's planning to travel between towns at night, in which case he'll be accosted by armed bandits if he doesnt camp away from the road. Does he have a mobile with him? I had a couple of calls from my bro while they were there.

A friend also did the Mngol rally a couple of years ago and the above mentioned nocturnal travelling info was learned by them (after being chased by armed bandits) which apparently wasnt fun.

Not trying to worry you but basically he should be fine as long as he's sensible.

[spikeyhead]

fleetelise said:

he's already gone and you didn't know he was going?

In his 70s?

What gives?

Shock horror, some older people are still active. He works part time as a lifeguard and still does some occasional maintenance work on the equipment he used to install before he retired. Usually he just does the stuff in Scotland, Cornwall etc, takes mum and makes a holiday of it. Seven hours drive, one hours maintenance work, weekend away, another hours maintenance at another site on a Monday morning and potter home again. Not a bad life to get a couple of days pay to top up the pension and the travel and accommodation costs paid for on a weekend away.

I've no idea quite why he's ended up doing a foreign job, but if it needs doing urgently and its during peak holiday time I'm guessing the permanent employees who would normally do it aren't available. I'm not worried about dad, he's a great traveler but if worrying was an Olympic event them mum would have more gold medals than that Phelps bloke! I guess this tour will pay for their new car.

[sleep envy]

spikeyhead said:

if worrying was an Olympic event them mum would have more gold medals than that Phelps bloke!

you've not met my old dear

got a phonecall from her in italy at 6am last week just to see if I was involved in the pile up on the A1 reported on the BBC news that morning

only thing is she knows I was in London, the pile up was at the other end of the A1...

[Jimbeaux]

It has bad folks like anyone else. However, most people there are generous and want to show a good face. If common sense is followed, he should be fine. I have been there on various occassions; all went well.