M D Harding Travel Photography

03/09/2026

Hello ✈️

We all love traveling for different reasons, to experience a new culture, food, and museums/galleries.

Have you travelled to experience the local music scene?

We were blown away on our opening night of the TBEX conference with Kazakh folk band - Serileri

Here is a short clip from their incredible performance at The Ritz Carlton Hotel!

03/09/2026

I’m heading to WTM London 2026, where global travel comes together to connect, innovate, and move forward. Ideas spark, partnerships grow, and the future takes shape. Join me and be part of it: https://invt.io/1fxb519y9ee ✈️

Book your ticket now

02/09/2026

Welcome to 🚶‍♀️

Every time I travel, I always look to see if the city has a botanic garden, and I was thrilled to see and visit Almaty Botanic Garden - Общественный Фонд "Фонд развития Главного ботанического сада" Just a short walk from the Park Dedemen Hotel. It is filled with beautiful rose beds, cultivated borders, tree-lined avenues, Carp fish and water lily ponds, sculptures, and a relaxing cafe.

It costs 1,800 KZT (Tenge) £2 to visit!

Open daily 9am - 8pm Monday to Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at any of the three gates by cash or credit card. Please retain your ticket if exiting for use of the cafe/toilets. I have also read that if you plan to use an SLR Camera, there is an additional charge of between 3,000 - 5,000 KZT. Allow at least two hours to explore.

Thank you to Ipanema Travels for this beautiful photo:)

Where will you wander first on your visit to Kazakhstan?

01/09/2026

It's 😋

While visiting Almaty, don't miss the Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar) with fresh, local fruits, desserts, and more.

We loved the pistachio naught! It is customary to try before you buy, but beware of the quantity/amount before buying. Pistachios are said to be called "naughty" a fun name for pistachios that are shell-less 😅

Did you know informal trading began back in 1868 on the same site? What will you buy?

31/08/2026

Happy 🪄

I have been a bit under the weather since returning from Kazakhstan, but it has given me the time and space to process the incredible sights, sounds, tastes, touch, and aromas! From the beautiful snow-capped Trans-lli Alatau mountain range, home to Shymbulak Ski Resort too the incredible beats from Alatau Serileri, delicious food, warmth of the Kazakh people, and beautiful sweet florals filling the air.

I left a week today, and I am still in awe! Planning my return...watch this space😉

Did you know there are 3000 water features alone in the city of Almaty? Here is the beautiful music-choreographed water feature outside the Almaty Museum of Arts.

25/08/2026

If you have been following me for a while, you will know I love chocolate 😋

From Belgium to Vietnam and everything in between. This , I am excited to share my review of Kazakhstan Rakhat Chocolate. You can find the link to the video in the comments below.

Produced in the same factory, located in central Almaty, since 1942!

The 43% cocoa bar is easily recognisable with its bright blue wrapper and gold Kazak national symbols.

If you are unable to purchase at the Rakhat Candy Factory brand shop (1051.00 Tenge) Zenkov Street, near the Green Bazaar open from 8am - 8pm daily, it is available from the local supermarket and also at the Almaty Airport Duty Free Shops (5 USD).

This delicious chocolate is a must-try while visiting Kazakhstan!

Photo: Outside the Rakhat Candy Factory Brand Shop ©MDHardingTravelPhotography

24/08/2026

All good things must come to an end😪

Sad to say farewell to HDYTI, Ipanema Travels and all the TBEX family.
TBEX Almaty 2026 was awesome! 🇰🇿

Sunrise at 5am this morning for our 5 hour flight with Turkish Airlines from Almaty to Istanbul. With a further 4 hour flight from Istanbul to Edinburgh.

Back to Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival and Bon Jovi concert this week! All go.

23/08/2026

Fantastic conference! Sad it is over. Lovely seeing old friends and meeting new ones in the incredible city of Almaty. Loads of actionable takeways. Looking forward to TBEX Turkiye.

Blog post coming soon!

Explore With Erin

22/08/2026

It's the weekend! 🎉

Did you know Almaty has an awesome Irish Pub?

Couldn't resist my favourite tipple😉

Guinness Storehouse Guinness

21/08/2026

It has been an exciting trip! Lots of things to see and do.

Yesterday, I opted to take a day trip from Almaty to Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lake.

First stop Charyn Canyon. We spent 2.5 hours exploring the views from the top and enjoying a delicious lunch (vegetable pakora. I know, not typical Kazak but one of the main snack places was an Indian takeaway. Would you believe the other was a Korean noodle bar?).
There was also the option to go down many steps and walk on the dry river bed through the canyon. It was very hot during the midday heat. Prepared with water, sunscreen, hat and tusty walking boots, we headed to explore the incredible vantage points on the top level. The dry dust blowing in the wind, small peebles crunching under our feet, then wow!

It was a welcome relief to arrive at Kolsai Lake with it's cooler climate. The lush green pine trees, rolling mountain views, surrounding the pristine blue waters of Kolsai Lake. Here there are options to take a horseback ride, archery, a small boat trip, take photos wearing tradtitional clothing and riding in an old soviet van. The lake and its surrounding landscape is beautiful.

The trip was lots of fun!