I came here for the out doors and the mountains. I am at least a month too early. I knew when I booked the flights that I was early but they were soo cheap I took the chance. I was only adding Kyrg as an add on while Im in this part of the world. My real reason for coming this way is to see the Silk Road and the cities of Uzbekistan.
The Soviets spent as little money as possible here and when they left the money just dried up. Corruption runs rampant in the government and in some ways this is one of the poorest countries I have been to. The cities are nothing special. There is no great architecture to look at, in most cases. Bishkek is the only city of any real size and a real metropolus. I think nearly half the country's population lives here.
The infrastructure is not real great. The hotels are poor and the public transport is slow. Maybe in the summer season the transport improves but outside that some places only get 2 buses a week and the small places you have to get a taxi. Every city has mountains as a backdrop so that makes something to see.
Right now in Bishkek the buildings are all getting painted, the fountains are being cleaned and turned on and the gardens are being planted. Its kinda like getting ready for the inlaws to drop in or getting ready to sell the place. I think in another month the place will be pumping.
I think CBT is getting there but not quite there yet. They have filled a big hole in the accomodation market but could improve even more. Im not a fan of home stays cos you often get left sitting for hours waiting for something to happen. I prefer a hotel where I can come and go as I please. The other day at the home stay I sat for a while waiting for some kind of 'induction", rules, do's and dont's that kinda thing. It didnt happen so I got ready to go out and was told "Almas will be here soon". I waited "he will be a while" I went out when I got back he said "you didnt have lunch" well it wasnt offered and I didnt know wht time I arrived, what time lunch is due anything. Then I sat around waiting for tea cos no one bothered to tell me when it would be served. They have a tourist toilet and family toilet. If it is tourist toilet why not put a seat in there, most of us use a seat, and it wouldnt hurt to hose it out occasionally. Give me a hotel anyday.