Almaty under blue skies and autumn sunshine. In the wide tree-lined boulevards, the leaves are turning orange and gold. To the north the city has an impressive backdrop, the Tian Shan mountains, rising to about 5,000 metres and already snow covered. It is our first Silk Road city and interestingly mixed. Many buildings date from the Soviet era, some are neo-classical and hugely imposing but others are grey and falling apart. Shinier are the new glass high rises, built with gold tops or points that make them look like little upright pencils. There is oil money here in this huge country, the 9th biggest in the world And there are, also, beautiful old buildings - churches and mosques mainly. Gaily painted or gilt domed, their beauty and craftsmanship are stunning and all the more impressive when
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