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Astana, Kazakhstan

12/6/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££
  • A new, planned city that serves as the capital of Kazakhstan
  • Creative architecture that aims to be futuristic but feels like a vision of the future from 20 years ago
  • City feels fake, with little character, and reminds me of a smaller Dubai
  • No issues as a Sikh in the city or the airport and people are friendly
  • More expensive than Almaty but taxis are still super cheap
  • Main Sights: Bayterek Tower, Grand Mosque of Astana, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Presidential Park, Future Energy Museum, 

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Almaty, Kazakhstan

22/5/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££
  • The largest and most economically important city in Central Asia
  • Beautiful landscapes as the city sits beside the Ile Alatau mountain range
  • Very little English spoken in the city, although greater usage among the younger generation
  • People are relatively friendly, and I had no problems in the city or the airport as a Sikh
  • The city is affordable, although it is expensive to fly to, and the cost of food and accommodation was greater than I expected 
  • Main Sights: Ascension Cathedral, Big Lake Almaty, Shymbulak, Kok-Tobe Hill, Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Museum of Folk Music Instruments, Almaty Museum, Abay Opera House, Almaty Central Mosque

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Istanbul, Türkiye

1/5/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****1/2
Cost: £££
  • Culturally and historically one of the most important cities in human history
  • No problems as a Sikh at the airport or going around the city
  • Incredible variety of landmarks to visit, and a unique cityscape to see
  • From the UK - cheap to get to, and reasonably priced food and accommodation 
  • Main Sights: Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus, Kadikoy, Taksim Square

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Kyoto, Japan

20/3/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££
  • Just over two hours from Tokyo in a bullet train
  • Cultural centre of Japan with over 2,000 temples and shrines
  • Large and unique concentration of Japanese pre-war architecture
  • No problems as a Sikh getting around the city
  • Main Sights: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion District, Yasaka-Jinja, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangendo Temple

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Tokyo, Japan

6/3/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££
  • No issues at the airport as a Sikh
  • People are generally friendly and polite, but have a distrust of foreigners 
  • Relatively expensive city, and surprising still heavily cash based
  • Incredible metropolis that stretches for miles, with an endless things to see and do
  • Main Sights: Asakusa, Akihabara, Ikekeburo, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ginza, Senso-Ji, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Sky and Crossing, teamLAB planets, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck, Yoyogi Park, Zojo-Ji, Imperial Palace, Roppongi, Omoide Yokocho, Atago Jinja 

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Return to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2/1/2023

 
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Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££
  • No issues at the airport and no issues in a very diverse and cosmopolitan city
  • City still feels a little fake with a focus on style over substance, 7 years after my first trip
  • Dubai continues to grow and expand and there are a lot more activities to do, especially with families
  • Main Sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Gold Souk, Global Village, Dubai Frame, 

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Kuwait City, Kuwait

19/12/2022

 
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Summary

Airport Rating ****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££££
  • Small-dated airport, but no issues travelling through as a Sikh
  • A relatively strict city-state, especially when compared to some of the other countries on the Gulf coast
  • Not too much to do, main sights are shopping centres, but the locals are friendly
  • City is quite dull, but there are areas of beauty, particularly along the coast
  • Not as expensive as the UAE, but certainly not a cheap destination
  • Main Sights: Kuwait Towers, The Avenues, Souk Al-Mubarakiya, Coastal Walk

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Return to Bangkok, Thailand

5/12/2022

 
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Summary

Airport Rating **
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££
  • Airport loses another two stars since last review with another questionable experience
  • Bangkok is still sensory overload, in good ways and bad
  • Public transport is relatively extensive, cheap and easy to use
  • Things have become slightly more expensive since my last visit, but cost of living in the city remains manageable for those on holiday
  • Main Sights (this time): Wat Saket, Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market, Terminal 21, Ong Ang Canal, Khao San Road, Sikh Gurdwaras, 

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Luang Prabang, Lao

21/11/2022

 
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Summary

Airport Rating •••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££
  • Comfortably one of the most beautiful cities that I have visited
  • Stunning landscapes mixed with gorgeous historical buildings
  • I can imagine it must get rammed during the busy season with tourists
  • More expensive than Vientiane but still very affordable
  • No issues travelling as a Sikh, although no local Sikh community
  • Main Sights: Phousi Mountain, Wat Xiengthong, Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang Night Market, Morning Market

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Vientiane, Lao

7/11/2022

 
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Summary

Airport Rating ••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £
  • Not easily connected from the UK, requiring connecting flights from larger neighbouring countries
  • No issues as a Sikh in the airport, or walking around the city (in fact, I got a lot of positive attention)
  • Expensive to fly there, but very cheap when you arrive
  • Lacks the x-factor that some other capital cities in neighbouring countries have
  • Main Sights: Wat Si Saket, Patuxai, That Dam, Vientiane Night Market

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    British Sikh, born in the Midlands, based in London, travelling the world seeing new cultures.

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