I’m in Istanbul again. I was last here for a couple of days in January on my way back from Russia to the UK. On that occasion, I saw some of the sites, notably the Basilica Cistern built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian I, and the Blue Mosque, (17th century, Ottoman). This…

There are two gorges a short drive from Almaty. Both feature waterfalls; but don’t expect the Niagra Falls. These are small mountain streams, with correspondingly sized waterfalls. There is a trail leading to both waterfalls, and, in both cases, the trail continues after the first fall. I went with a group excursion which promised a…