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It's not like driving a car

Jaimi Cyrus

Dec 18, 20242 min read

It's not like driving a car

Driving the Giraffe takes some getting used to!

We split responsibilities today: Achim went exploring and taking photos, while Jaimi laid in bed and tried to get well. 😬
Kars has some nice sights and areas, we both would have enjoyed wandering around more, enjoying some of the cute and inviting restaurants, and exploring a bit further. But we've decided to use the time that Jaimi is useless, to continue driving and cover more ground before her next 'work break' in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the warm welcome to your town @liethia0
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#kars #turkey🇹🇷 #türkiye #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #exploretheworld #citystay #sightseeing

We split responsibilities today: Achim went exploring and taking photos, while Jaimi laid in bed and tried to get well. 😬
Kars has some nice sights and areas, we both would have enjoyed wandering around more, enjoying some of the cute and inviting restaurants, and exploring a bit further. But we've decided to use the time that Jaimi is useless, to continue driving and cover more ground before her next 'work break' in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the warm welcome to your town @liethia0
🙏🙂.
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#kars #turkey🇹🇷 #türkiye #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #exploretheworld #citystay #sightseeing

Step into the history of Ani, the 'City of 1,001 Churches,' a medieval Armenian capital that once thrived as a hub of trade and culture on the Silk Road. Life here goes back thousands of years, some of the excavacation pointing to the 3rd millenia B.C. Through the millenia, Ani has changed hands myriad times, shifting between religions, empires, countries and cultures. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Turkey (with the current Armenian border visible just across the ravine), its breathtaking ruins tell the story of empires and resilience.
It would be easy to spend a full day exploring the history and the remains of this unique and exceptional place.
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#AniRuins #SilkRoadHistory #UNESCOHeritage #overlandtravel #Ani #turkey🇹🇷 #silkroadadventure #silkroad #seidenstrasse #giraffegoneglobal #exploretheworld

Step into the history of Ani, the 'City of 1,001 Churches,' a medieval Armenian capital that once thrived as a hub of trade and culture on the Silk Road. Life here goes back thousands of years, some of the excavacation pointing to the 3rd millenia B.C. Through the millenia, Ani has changed hands myriad times, shifting between religions, empires, countries and cultures. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Turkey (with the current Armenian border visible just across the ravine), its breathtaking ruins tell the story of empires and resilience.
It would be easy to spend a full day exploring the history and the remains of this unique and exceptional place.
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#AniRuins #SilkRoadHistory #UNESCOHeritage #overlandtravel #Ani #turkey🇹🇷 #silkroadadventure #silkroad #seidenstrasse #giraffegoneglobal #exploretheworld

We finished our first day in Turkey at this gorgeous spot overlooking a frozen lake. It was another "where does the time go" kind of day: re-fueling, pharmacy, ATM, groceries, border crossing, sim card, etc...

But we settled in at this beautiful place to enjoy the winter scenery and our first meal here in the neighboring restaurant (more about that in our story). 🙂
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#türkiye #turkey🇹🇷 #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #vanlife #seidenstrasse #silkroad #exploretheworld #çıldır

We finished our first day in Turkey at this gorgeous spot overlooking a frozen lake. It was another "where does the time go" kind of day: re-fueling, pharmacy, ATM, groceries, border crossing, sim card, etc...

But we settled in at this beautiful place to enjoy the winter scenery and our first meal here in the neighboring restaurant (more about that in our story). 🙂
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#türkiye #turkey🇹🇷 #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #vanlife #seidenstrasse #silkroad #exploretheworld #çıldır

Winter driving today in Georgia! Crossing the border into Turkey later on, but enjoying these ladt few hours of driving through the Georgian countryside.

Have you already been on snowy streets this season? Tell us where in the comments
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#georgia #winterlandscape #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #silkroad #exploretheworld #vanlife #seidenstrasse #adventuringthroughlife #giraffegoneglobal

Winter driving today in Georgia! Crossing the border into Turkey later on, but enjoying these ladt few hours of driving through the Georgian countryside.

Have you already been on snowy streets this season? Tell us where in the comments
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#georgia #winterlandscape #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #silkroad #exploretheworld #vanlife #seidenstrasse #adventuringthroughlife #giraffegoneglobal

Where's the last place you visited, where you wished you could stay a few days longer? 🤔 Tell us in the comments! ⏬️😀
For us, it was Dilijan National Park. We saw only a small part of it and could have spent many days exploring, hiking, looking for wolves (we only saw the tracks), and visiting the villages and sites. Not to mention enjoying the quiet and beauty!
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#dilijan #dilijannationalpark #armenia #hikingday #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #seidenstrasse #vanlife #exploretheworld #silkroad #expeditionvehicle #ivecodaily4x4

Where's the last place you visited, where you wished you could stay a few days longer? 🤔 Tell us in the comments! ⏬️😀
For us, it was Dilijan National Park. We saw only a small part of it and could have spent many days exploring, hiking, looking for wolves (we only saw the tracks), and visiting the villages and sites. Not to mention enjoying the quiet and beauty!
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#dilijan #dilijannationalpark #armenia #hikingday #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #seidenstrasse #vanlife #exploretheworld #silkroad #expeditionvehicle #ivecodaily4x4

Lake Sevan, abandoned train car, Hayravank Monastery. Even in winter, it's beautiful! 🙂
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#overlandtravel #armenia #silkroadadventure #silkroadadventure #exploretheworld #hayravankmonastery #lakesevan #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #silkroad #caucususregion

Lake Sevan, abandoned train car, Hayravank Monastery. Even in winter, it's beautiful! 🙂
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#overlandtravel #armenia #silkroadadventure #silkroadadventure #exploretheworld #hayravankmonastery #lakesevan #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #silkroad #caucususregion

Perched on the edge of Armenia’s breathtaking cliffs, Tatev Monastery is more than a landmark—it’s a journey through time and wonder. ✨️
You can reach the Monastery via the world’s longest reversible cable car, which boasts commanding views from the frightfully high flight. Or you can drive up on a newly paved road.
However you get there, it takes some time and effort; worth it to enjoy a hike and the serene spiritual vibes? Have you experienced this magic? Share your memories or tag someone you’d take on this adventure! 🌍❤️
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#TatevAdventures #ArmeniaUnveiled #armenia #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #exploretheworld #tatev #caucasusregion #monasteries

Perched on the edge of Armenia’s breathtaking cliffs, Tatev Monastery is more than a landmark—it’s a journey through time and wonder. ✨️
You can reach the Monastery via the world’s longest reversible cable car, which boasts commanding views from the frightfully high flight. Or you can drive up on a newly paved road.
However you get there, it takes some time and effort; worth it to enjoy a hike and the serene spiritual vibes? Have you experienced this magic? Share your memories or tag someone you’d take on this adventure! 🌍❤️
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#TatevAdventures #ArmeniaUnveiled #armenia #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #exploretheworld #tatev #caucasusregion #monasteries

Good morning! 🙂
Waking up like this rivals the insta-promoted vanlife. And then to spend the morning traversing the 160m Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge and wander around the cave dwellings that were home to 1800 people, and partially occupied until the 1950s...what a great day of exploration!

What's on your list to explore this week?
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#overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #armenia #khndzoresk #swingingbridge #goris #cavedwelling #adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld #silkroad #seidenstrasse #vanlife #caucasusregion

Good morning! 🙂
Waking up like this rivals the insta-promoted vanlife. And then to spend the morning traversing the 160m Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge and wander around the cave dwellings that were home to 1800 people, and partially occupied until the 1950s...what a great day of exploration!

What's on your list to explore this week?
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#overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #armenia #khndzoresk #swingingbridge #goris #cavedwelling #adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld #silkroad #seidenstrasse #vanlife #caucasusregion

Can you imagine life in a cave dwelling? 🤔
From about the 5th century until the 1950s, that's exactly how many people lived in this part of Armenia.we took a short hike through the impressive, rock-pinnacle-strewn mountains to explore, and enjoyed the views from the summit cross and from our parking place for the night. 🙂
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#armenia #goris #silkroadadventure #hikingarmenia #ancientliving #overlandtravel #exploretheworld #seidenstrasse #silkroad #historicsites

Can you imagine life in a cave dwelling? 🤔
From about the 5th century until the 1950s, that's exactly how many people lived in this part of Armenia.we took a short hike through the impressive, rock-pinnacle-strewn mountains to explore, and enjoyed the views from the summit cross and from our parking place for the night. 🙂
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#armenia #goris #silkroadadventure #hikingarmenia #ancientliving #overlandtravel #exploretheworld #seidenstrasse #silkroad #historicsites

Some days do actually start with a beautiful sunrise above a lake, with a frosty beach and my travel partner making coffee for me to drink in bed. Today is one of those days, and it is wonderful!

BUT: some days start with rain and wind battering the vehicle, with a pack of dogs barking outside, with rumbling trucks starting engines or careening past on a too-close road, with an panicked run to the bathroom because you ate something not-quite-right the night before, with headaches because you couldn't sleep, with a stranger banging on the door, saying in some foreign language that you can't park here...the list goes on. And sometimes those things happen at really weird "morning" hours, like 2:00 or 5:00.

Don't get me wrong - traveling like this is an amazing experience with magical moments. And it's also continually upheaval and exhaustion. We're looking forward to the holiday break coming up. 😉
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#vanlife #overlandtravel #overlanding #truthvsmyth #mythvsreality #giraffegoneglobal #vanlifemythvsreality #adventuringthroughlife #silkroadadventure #exploretheworld #expeditionvehicle #lifeontheroad

Some days do actually start with a beautiful sunrise above a lake, with a frosty beach and my travel partner making coffee for me to drink in bed. Today is one of those days, and it is wonderful!

BUT: some days start with rain and wind battering the vehicle, with a pack of dogs barking outside, with rumbling trucks starting engines or careening past on a too-close road, with an panicked run to the bathroom because you ate something not-quite-right the night before, with headaches because you couldn't sleep, with a stranger banging on the door, saying in some foreign language that you can't park here...the list goes on. And sometimes those things happen at really weird "morning" hours, like 2:00 or 5:00.

Don't get me wrong - traveling like this is an amazing experience with magical moments. And it's also continually upheaval and exhaustion. We're looking forward to the holiday break coming up. 😉
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#vanlife #overlandtravel #overlanding #truthvsmyth #mythvsreality #giraffegoneglobal #vanlifemythvsreality #adventuringthroughlife #silkroadadventure #exploretheworld #expeditionvehicle #lifeontheroad

Okay, wine-tasting is a great way to kickoff pretty much anything (in my book). Especially when it's at a beautiful, family-run boutique winery with friendly and welcoming proprietors who put love into their work!

We sampled six great wines (the Areni Classic was a favorite, as was the Tozot), enjoyed gorgeous snacks that made dinner superfluous and had enriching conversation (quite some of it via google translate #gottalovetechnology ) 😜

❔️✅️ Where's the last place you had a great wine-tasting experience?

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#armenia #momikwines #areni #winetasting #winelovers #caucasusregion #worldwines #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #vanlife #exploretheworld #lovewhatyoudo

Okay, wine-tasting is a great way to kickoff pretty much anything (in my book). Especially when it's at a beautiful, family-run boutique winery with friendly and welcoming proprietors who put love into their work!

We sampled six great wines (the Areni Classic was a favorite, as was the Tozot), enjoyed gorgeous snacks that made dinner superfluous and had enriching conversation (quite some of it via google translate #gottalovetechnology ) 😜

❔️✅️ Where's the last place you had a great wine-tasting experience?

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#armenia #momikwines #areni #winetasting #winelovers #caucasusregion #worldwines #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #vanlife #exploretheworld #lovewhatyoudo

Waking up in southern Armenia. I think it's going to be a good weekend!
How about you, what are your plans? 🤔
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#armenia #overlandlife #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #goris #caucasusregion #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #seidenstrasse #vanlife

Waking up in southern Armenia. I think it's going to be a good weekend!
How about you, what are your plans? 🤔
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#armenia #overlandlife #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #goris #caucasusregion #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #seidenstrasse #vanlife

How to start a day off right?
Fresh air, sunshine, movement. And when you can do all that in a vineyard in Armenia, all the better. 😃
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#goodmorning #armenia #areni #momikwines #overlandtravel #park4night #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld #caucususregion #winetasting

How to start a day off right?
Fresh air, sunshine, movement. And when you can do all that in a vineyard in Armenia, all the better. 😃
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#goodmorning #armenia #areni #momikwines #overlandtravel #park4night #silkroadadventure #adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld #caucususregion #winetasting

What did they worship in Armenia before Christianity was introduced in 301 A.D.? 🤔
We found out: multiple gods, including the Sun God Mirh, for whom this pagan temple in Garni was built in the 1st century (!!!). The temple was built entirely without mortar, using metal joint and molten lead to hold it together. It stood strong and proud until finally collapsing a big earthquake in 1679. And then was rebuilt in the 1970s, using the same exact construction and preserving much of the historical stones. It's been deemed the eastern-most Greco-Roman style building in the world. And of course, Jaimi had to do a sun salutation on the Temple pedestal, as it seemed fitting. 😁

Equally impressive - if not more so - is Mother Nature's Symphony of Stones in the Garni Gorge below the temple. Absolutely incredible...but we were kind of wishing we had hardhat on. 🙈😂
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#armenia #garnitemple #garnigorge #symphonyofstones #pagantemple #sungod #exploretheworld #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #caucasusregion #yerevan #adventuringthroughlife

What did they worship in Armenia before Christianity was introduced in 301 A.D.? 🤔
We found out: multiple gods, including the Sun God Mirh, for whom this pagan temple in Garni was built in the 1st century (!!!). The temple was built entirely without mortar, using metal joint and molten lead to hold it together. It stood strong and proud until finally collapsing a big earthquake in 1679. And then was rebuilt in the 1970s, using the same exact construction and preserving much of the historical stones. It's been deemed the eastern-most Greco-Roman style building in the world. And of course, Jaimi had to do a sun salutation on the Temple pedestal, as it seemed fitting. 😁

Equally impressive - if not more so - is Mother Nature's Symphony of Stones in the Garni Gorge below the temple. Absolutely incredible...but we were kind of wishing we had hardhat on. 🙈😂
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#armenia #garnitemple #garnigorge #symphonyofstones #pagantemple #sungod #exploretheworld #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #caucasusregion #yerevan #adventuringthroughlife

How do you enjoy your 2nd day in a new country?
We did a small tour, visiting Saghmosavank Monastery, the Armeian Alphabet statues, and finishing with Amberd Fortress (built in the 7th century!). Achim was of course thrilled to have a fortress on the itinerary again 😁, even though it involved a lot of snowy driving. And Jaimi actually broke some rules today (a rare occurrence!) by climbing over a fence to explore. 🙈😂 And we still got invited to have tea with the people working there! 😍👍🙏

➡️ BTW, when's the last time you saw a Giraffe in the snow? 😉
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#armenia #saghmosavank #armenianalphabet #amberdfortress #silkroadadventure #siljroad #seidenstrasse #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #overlandtravel #overlanding

How do you enjoy your 2nd day in a new country?
We did a small tour, visiting Saghmosavank Monastery, the Armeian Alphabet statues, and finishing with Amberd Fortress (built in the 7th century!). Achim was of course thrilled to have a fortress on the itinerary again 😁, even though it involved a lot of snowy driving. And Jaimi actually broke some rules today (a rare occurrence!) by climbing over a fence to explore. 🙈😂 And we still got invited to have tea with the people working there! 😍👍🙏

➡️ BTW, when's the last time you saw a Giraffe in the snow? 😉
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#armenia #saghmosavank #armenianalphabet #amberdfortress #silkroadadventure #siljroad #seidenstrasse #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #overlandtravel #overlanding

Following 6.5 days of waiting at the port in Aktau, the Giraffe finally made it on a ferry across the Caspian Sea! And this morning, Achim was at the port in Alat, Azerbaijan at daybreak to pick her up. It took 3.5 hours and 7 stations to get through customs and finally put if the Port. Now: back on the road! Finally! 😁
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#overlandlife #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #silkroad #expeditionvehicle #vanlife #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #alat #azerbaijan #bordercrossing

Following 6.5 days of waiting at the port in Aktau, the Giraffe finally made it on a ferry across the Caspian Sea! And this morning, Achim was at the port in Alat, Azerbaijan at daybreak to pick her up. It took 3.5 hours and 7 stations to get through customs and finally put if the Port. Now: back on the road! Finally! 😁
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#overlandlife #overlandtravel #silkroadadventure #silkroad #expeditionvehicle #vanlife #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #alat #azerbaijan #bordercrossing

Have you been to Bozhira yet?
This was our final stop in Kazakhstan before the long wait to load the Giraffe on the ferry started. It involved a long bus trip together with a bunch of lively, friendly Kazakh people, very loud music accompanied by singing and dancing, a group lunch, lots of rain and snow, and absolutely STUNNING scenery! Luckily the rain stopped just long enough to get some photos!
Quite a packed day with other-worldly scenery and cultural encounters! 😁
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#bozhira #bozhyra #mangystau #mangystauregion #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #overlanding #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #centralasia #seidenstrasse #beketata

Have you been to Bozhira yet?
This was our final stop in Kazakhstan before the long wait to load the Giraffe on the ferry started. It involved a long bus trip together with a bunch of lively, friendly Kazakh people, very loud music accompanied by singing and dancing, a group lunch, lots of rain and snow, and absolutely STUNNING scenery! Luckily the rain stopped just long enough to get some photos!
Quite a packed day with other-worldly scenery and cultural encounters! 😁
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#bozhira #bozhyra #mangystau #mangystauregion #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #overlanding #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #centralasia #seidenstrasse #beketata

Another attempt at visiting an underground mosque...this one successful, and it is the most intriguing of all Mangistau’s underground mosques! The 10th-century Shakpak-Ata is a cross-shaped cave with three entrances and four chambers, cut into a cliff close to the Caspian coast. The eerily beautiful, Swiss-cheese-like stone that it's cut into was once at the bottom of the sea.
There are various legends about its heritage, with the most popular that it was occupied by a holy healer. And the necropolis built outside attests to his followers desire to be near the holy Shakpak-Ata even in death.
It's a long, bumpy drive to get here, but worth it. And without a struggle to visit, it could hardly be considered a pilgrimage, right? 😇
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#shakpakata #undergroundmosque #mangystau #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel

Another attempt at visiting an underground mosque...this one successful, and it is the most intriguing of all Mangistau’s underground mosques! The 10th-century Shakpak-Ata is a cross-shaped cave with three entrances and four chambers, cut into a cliff close to the Caspian coast. The eerily beautiful, Swiss-cheese-like stone that it's cut into was once at the bottom of the sea.
There are various legends about its heritage, with the most popular that it was occupied by a holy healer. And the necropolis built outside attests to his followers desire to be near the holy Shakpak-Ata even in death.
It's a long, bumpy drive to get here, but worth it. And without a struggle to visit, it could hardly be considered a pilgrimage, right? 😇
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#shakpakata #undergroundmosque #mangystau #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel

How would you react if someone suggested driving a few hours to see some big round stones? 🤔
I'll admit, I was skeptical. And I'm glad I kept my misgivings to myself because it was actually pretty cool! After enjoying the freezing cold sunrise vigil, we bundled up for a hike through the Valley of Balls in search of the Underground Mosque. Which we found, but despite major efforts, could not get into. 🙈 So we wandered through the Round Stones again, scaring up rabbits and getting moved at by cows. And were on the road again by about 10:00, heading to our next destination! 🙂 #rapidsightseeing
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#valleyofballs #valleyofroundstones #mangystau #kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #vanlife #overlandtravel #centralasia

How would you react if someone suggested driving a few hours to see some big round stones? 🤔
I'll admit, I was skeptical. And I'm glad I kept my misgivings to myself because it was actually pretty cool! After enjoying the freezing cold sunrise vigil, we bundled up for a hike through the Valley of Balls in search of the Underground Mosque. Which we found, but despite major efforts, could not get into. 🙈 So we wandered through the Round Stones again, scaring up rabbits and getting moved at by cows. And were on the road again by about 10:00, heading to our next destination! 🙂 #rapidsightseeing
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#valleyofballs #valleyofroundstones #mangystau #kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #vanlife #overlandtravel #centralasia

When was the last time you watched the sunrise?
We were up early and enjoyed a magnificent display of the sun rising over the Valley of Round Stones - and despite it being very, very cold, I couldn't stop taking photos. So I sang and danced to stay warm, and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this amazing start to the day. 😍

Do you like the get up for the sunrise?

When was the last time you watched the sunrise?
We were up early and enjoyed a magnificent display of the sun rising over the Valley of Round Stones - and despite it being very, very cold, I couldn't stop taking photos. So I sang and danced to stay warm, and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this amazing start to the day. 😍

Do you like the get up for the sunrise?

Our first day in the Mangystau region was overcast but still amazing. We headed to Tuzbair and the Kazakh Sphinx, where we took a short hike and then Achim did a van-based workout while Jaimi went trail running.
We woke up to a landscape covered in fog, but a glorious sunrise that turned into blue skies as we said goodbye and headed past the camels in the mist, towards our next destination! 🙂
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#useeverday #overlandtravel #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #central asia #mangistau #tuzbair #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #exploretheworld

Our first day in the Mangystau region was overcast but still amazing. We headed to Tuzbair and the Kazakh Sphinx, where we took a short hike and then Achim did a van-based workout while Jaimi went trail running.
We woke up to a landscape covered in fog, but a glorious sunrise that turned into blue skies as we said goodbye and headed past the camels in the mist, towards our next destination! 🙂
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#useeverday #overlandtravel #Kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #central asia #mangistau #tuzbair #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #exploretheworld

The best part about driving across the Kazakh Steppes?
Probably the camels, and here's today's drop. 😉
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#camels #camelsofinstagram #greatsteppes #kazakhstan #kazakhsteppes #silkroadadventure #silkroad #scenesfromtheroad #seidenstrsse #overlandtravel #wildlifeencounter #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #centralasia

The best part about driving across the Kazakh Steppes?
Probably the camels, and here's today's drop. 😉
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#camels #camelsofinstagram #greatsteppes #kazakhstan #kazakhsteppes #silkroadadventure #silkroad #scenesfromtheroad #seidenstrsse #overlandtravel #wildlifeencounter #exploretheworld #adventuringthroughlife #vanlife #centralasia

What pops to mind when you think of Türkistan?
Because we've gotta say, the mental image we had and the reality were worlds apart!
Türkistan is a modern, beautiful city with impressive architecture and infrastructure. Packed with friendly and welcoming people (even just passing high-school students initiated a chat and an 8 year old translated for us). And in addition, they have a system that is highly digitized (easily bumping up my internet account on my local sim card - in about 30 seconds at the supermarket; paying everything with QR code; all state documentation including birth certificate, driver's license, etc available online...).
Honestly, it was a bit humbling, and a reminder that western states need to stop being complacent if we don't want to get rapidly passed by.
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#wakeupeurope #rapiddevelopment #Kazakhstan #centralasia #turkistan #silkroadadventure #silkroad#overlandtravel #adventuringthroughlife #broadenhorizons #travelandlearn #keepexploring ##overlanding #buildawareness

What pops to mind when you think of Türkistan?
Because we've gotta say, the mental image we had and the reality were worlds apart!
Türkistan is a modern, beautiful city with impressive architecture and infrastructure. Packed with friendly and welcoming people (even just passing high-school students initiated a chat and an 8 year old translated for us). And in addition, they have a system that is highly digitized (easily bumping up my internet account on my local sim card - in about 30 seconds at the supermarket; paying everything with QR code; all state documentation including birth certificate, driver's license, etc available online...).
Honestly, it was a bit humbling, and a reminder that western states need to stop being complacent if we don't want to get rapidly passed by.
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#wakeupeurope #rapiddevelopment #Kazakhstan #centralasia #turkistan #silkroadadventure #silkroad#overlandtravel #adventuringthroughlife #broadenhorizons #travelandlearn #keepexploring ##overlanding #buildawareness

Sunday was a culture day.
First, we navigated to the slightly wrong location and then when looping back around, we happened upon a very big happening in the middle of the desert-y fields. Loads of men, hundreds of horses, and a truck full of ready-to-kill livestock. Really. The sport of Kokpar or Kok Boru involves putting a dead goat, sheep, or calf on the horse and the different teams fight to take it away from each other. We don't really know how it works, looked like a free-for-all but everyone seemed highly engaged (and disturbed by Jaimi's presence...there were no women there).
We then continued on to the ancient city of Otrar to walk amongst the excavacations and see the re-built sections, providing a sense for how people lived there in the 8th-18th century.
And culminated the day by meeting an extremely friendly and welcoming man in the parking lot. Full of smiles and welcomes to his country, he gifted us an amazing dinner of Plov with meat, bread, and a drink. What a magic moment! The best plov we've had, sunset, new friends, horses being trucked home (including a truck full of still-mounted riders!), and cows meandering across the street on their way home. 🙂🙏
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#Kazakhstan #otrar #otyrar #silkroad #seidenstrsse #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #overlanding #centralasia #culturalexperience

Sunday was a culture day.
First, we navigated to the slightly wrong location and then when looping back around, we happened upon a very big happening in the middle of the desert-y fields. Loads of men, hundreds of horses, and a truck full of ready-to-kill livestock. Really. The sport of Kokpar or Kok Boru involves putting a dead goat, sheep, or calf on the horse and the different teams fight to take it away from each other. We don't really know how it works, looked like a free-for-all but everyone seemed highly engaged (and disturbed by Jaimi's presence...there were no women there).
We then continued on to the ancient city of Otrar to walk amongst the excavacations and see the re-built sections, providing a sense for how people lived there in the 8th-18th century.
And culminated the day by meeting an extremely friendly and welcoming man in the parking lot. Full of smiles and welcomes to his country, he gifted us an amazing dinner of Plov with meat, bread, and a drink. What a magic moment! The best plov we've had, sunset, new friends, horses being trucked home (including a truck full of still-mounted riders!), and cows meandering across the street on their way home. 🙂🙏
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#Kazakhstan #otrar #otyrar #silkroad #seidenstrsse #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #overlanding #centralasia #culturalexperience

Without many expectations, we made a stop at this Silk Road town...which was demolished by Genghis Khan but now is being rebuilt in a fashion reminiscent of its history. A little bit "Imitation Registan" perhaps, but still kind of nice.
Especially because we happened on it by accident - tour books talk about the historic mausoleums (okay, historic but underwhelming). Jaimi found a "Tower" pinned on a map, so we walked over there and found the rest. 😃
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#keepexploring #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #taraz #kazakhstan #seidenstrasse ##adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld

Without many expectations, we made a stop at this Silk Road town...which was demolished by Genghis Khan but now is being rebuilt in a fashion reminiscent of its history. A little bit "Imitation Registan" perhaps, but still kind of nice.
Especially because we happened on it by accident - tour books talk about the historic mausoleums (okay, historic but underwhelming). Jaimi found a "Tower" pinned on a map, so we walked over there and found the rest. 😃
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#keepexploring #silkroadadventure #overlandtravel #taraz #kazakhstan #seidenstrasse ##adventuringthroughlife #exploretheworld

An epic day in the mountains above Almaty!
Left the hotel at 6am (the Giraffe stayed at the garage overnight for service this morning). And met up with a former colleague, who had planned this 18km mammoth tour that required an 1355m ascent to a 3707m peak. Spectacular! And we made good use of the hotel amenities by soaking our tired bodies in the jacuzzi before bed. 🙂
Tomorrow: back on the road, as we head west across the Great Steppes!
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#adventuringthroughlife #mountaineering #hiking #dayofffromtravel #overlandlife #feelslikewinter #dayinthemountains #abovethesmog

An epic day in the mountains above Almaty!
Left the hotel at 6am (the Giraffe stayed at the garage overnight for service this morning). And met up with a former colleague, who had planned this 18km mammoth tour that required an 1355m ascent to a 3707m peak. Spectacular! And we made good use of the hotel amenities by soaking our tired bodies in the jacuzzi before bed. 🙂
Tomorrow: back on the road, as we head west across the Great Steppes!
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#adventuringthroughlife #mountaineering #hiking #dayofffromtravel #overlandlife #feelslikewinter #dayinthemountains #abovethesmog

Altyn Emel National Park...a few final images from the great 2 days we spent there. We could have easily spent another 2 days if we didn't have set appointments in Almaty!
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#overlandtravel #exploretheworld #altynemelnationalpark #altynemel #aktaumountains #kazakhstan #outdoors #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #centralasia

Altyn Emel National Park...a few final images from the great 2 days we spent there. We could have easily spent another 2 days if we didn't have set appointments in Almaty!
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#overlandtravel #exploretheworld #altynemelnationalpark #altynemel #aktaumountains #kazakhstan #outdoors #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #centralasia

Amazing! 😍
We weren't quite sure what to expect by the Aktau Mountains in Altyn Emel Park. And it was a long, bumpy ride to get there on an overcast, windy day. But the night was full of endless stars and the next day dawned with blue skies. We headed out into the canyons, climbed to a few peaks, and were blown away by this magical place.
Here are a few glimpses...
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#aktaumountains #altynemel #altynemelnationalpark #kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #centralasia #overlandtravel #adventuringthroughlife

Amazing! 😍
We weren't quite sure what to expect by the Aktau Mountains in Altyn Emel Park. And it was a long, bumpy ride to get there on an overcast, windy day. But the night was full of endless stars and the next day dawned with blue skies. We headed out into the canyons, climbed to a few peaks, and were blown away by this magical place.
Here are a few glimpses...
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#aktaumountains #altynemel #altynemelnationalpark #kazakhstan #silkroadadventure #seidenstrasse #centralasia #overlandtravel #adventuringthroughlife

Come in and visit our Giraffe! 🙂
We've had many requests (in person and online) for a tour, so here you go! A quick overview of the living cabin. There are many more details that we neglected, but gotta fit it into 90 seconds, right?! 😜
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#expeditionvehicle #vantour #campervantour #welcometoourhome #Giraffe #overlandtravel #overlandlife #vanlife #vanlifeliving #overlandlife #dopferreisemobilbau #ivecodaily4x4 @silwy_magnetic_system @dopfer.reisemobilbau

Come in and visit our Giraffe! 🙂
We've had many requests (in person and online) for a tour, so here you go! A quick overview of the living cabin. There are many more details that we neglected, but gotta fit it into 90 seconds, right?! 😜
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.
#expeditionvehicle #vantour #campervantour #welcometoourhome #Giraffe #overlandtravel #overlandlife #vanlife #vanlifeliving #overlandlife #dopferreisemobilbau #ivecodaily4x4 @silwy_magnetic_system @dopfer.reisemobilbau

An amazing beginning to our journey through Kazakhstan: 2 days enjoying Lunar Canyon and Charyn Canyon. And of course, the sites in between. 🙂
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#silkroadadventure #kazakhstan #lunarcanyon #charyncanyon #overlandtravel #traveltheworld #centralasia #exploretheworld #seidenstrasse

An amazing beginning to our journey through Kazakhstan: 2 days enjoying Lunar Canyon and Charyn Canyon. And of course, the sites in between. 🙂
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#silkroadadventure #kazakhstan #lunarcanyon #charyncanyon #overlandtravel #traveltheworld #centralasia #exploretheworld #seidenstrasse

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