Driving through road works - the Chinese are currently building lots of roads through Kazakhstan to enable easy access by road to Europe.

Driving through road works – the Chinese are currently building lots of roads through Kazakhstan to enable easy access by road to Europe.

Another welcoming shop facade. This place is called 'Askhana'

Another welcoming shop facade. This place is called ‘Askhana’

Cool looking building in the middle of Kazakhstan. No idea what it's purpose is.

Cool looking building in the middle of Kazakhstan. No idea what it’s purpose is.

Mosque under construction/renovation.

Mosque under construction/renovation.

Typical road-side scene. At every village there're always old ladies selling fruit by the side of the road. Always looks good, but you can't buy any quantity less than a bucket.

Typical road-side scene. At every village there’re always old ladies selling fruit by the side of the road. Always looks good, but you can’t buy any quantity less than a bucket.

Beware the crows.

Beware the crows.

'Big Almaty' lake.

‘Big Almaty’ lake.

Various observatories to the south of Almaty.

Various observatories to the south of Almaty.

Overlooking 'Big Almaty' lake.

Overlooking ‘Big Almaty’ lake.

A strange-looking statue we came across

A strange-looking statue we came across

Daily maintenance. Here I am checking the air filter in my pyjamas

Daily maintenance. Here I am checking the air filter in my pyjamas

Lorry stopped for fuel.

Lorry stopped for fuel.