Kazakhstan is a sizeable country that used to be a part of the Soviet Union. It is in both Europe and Asia, and like many of the other "-stan"s, is mostly desert. Right now it is very wet and cold over there making most of their roads very muddy.
Greg landed in Atyrau (At-a-rah) and then had to take an 8 hour taxi ride through the desert to the city that Expro's office is in. Aksai is an oil town, therefore it is more developed and populated than many of the other cities. The pollution in Kazakhstan is so bad! Greg ended up getting sick while he was there because of it.
On the way to Aksai, they stopped for lunch at a "café" in the middle of no where. Being an underdeveloped country, food regulations in Kazakhstan are either non existent or ignored. If you're not eating chicken, who knows what you are eating! Many restaurants will serve horse and tell you it's beef. Greg was traveling with his boss, who cautioned him about the place they stopped. For lunch they both had a candy bar and a coffee. The restroom at the café was an outhouse-no indoor plumbing.
Once he got to the hotel in Aksai, he was much more comfortable. The hotel had several security checks to get through the gates and more livable, though dated conditions.
The view from his hotel window of the street and fence.
The outdoor bar and patio.
His room keys lol!
Not one, but TWO tube TV's! Ahhh the good life! Don't you love the décor??!
There was no hot water the last couple nights of his trip, so by the time he got home he was ready for a hot shower. Luckily, because of the harsh weather conditions there and the loooooong winter, he won't have to go back anytime soon. We are very happy that the trip is over with and that he is home safely. Aberdeen never looked so good!! :)
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