Day 12 (July 11, 2025): Wrapping up Astana

It was a slow start kind of morning.  We have enjoyed the Sheraton Astana, with its Club Lounge, so much that we just took our time over a leisurely breakfast.  It was 11AM when we set out. There were four items on our list, to conclude Astana’s main sights that were of interest to us: its triumphal arch, its botanical garden, a war memorial, and the country’s military museum. We were able to conquer all four by mid-afternoon and make it back to the Sheraton for a some late afternoon time around the pool, before heading to the airport at 5PM.  (The Sheraton graciously gave us a 5PM late check-out, which is practically unheard of in the hotel industry.) 

Our flight to our last Kazakh destination - Aktau, in the west of the country on the Caspian Sea, departed on time at 7:45PM.  We were in row 2, sandwiched between babies in rows 1 and 3.  The row 3 baby was an ear-drum splitting screecher much of the way.

It was just after 11PM when we arrived at our Aktau hotel overlooking the sea.  Aktau waits to be explored in the morning.

Mäñgilik El:

Mäñgilik El is a 20-meter-tall triumphal arch, which was inaugurated in 2011, marking the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.

Astana Botanical Garden:

Astana Botanical Garden features a pond with fountains and three bridges. About 9,000 trees and shrubs from Europe, Asia and North America have been planted, with bicycle and jogging paths laid among the green areas. The construction of the garden began in 2016 and was originally planned to be completed by the opening of Expo 2017. However it was delayed and eventually opened in 2018.

The Google Maps view of the massive Botanical Garden. The outer circle is a rubberized jogging track/bike lane/walking track.


Entrance to the inner circular garden.

The park has two greenhouses, containing many species of plants, including desert specimens…

…and tropical specimens.

Defenders of the Motherland Monument:

The Defenders of the Motherland Monument is dedicated to the heroes who defended Kazakhstan. The monument features a tall, soaring figure atop a pedestal and is surrounded by expansive gardens. An eternal flame burns at the base of the pedestal. 

When we arrived, we heard a military band playing, and a group of soldiers was practicing for a wreath-laying ceremony. It was fascinating to watch! The entire site was being meticulously groomed, so we surmised that a ceremony for the President was imminent.

The band, exiting after its rehearsal piece.

Practicing the wreath-laying ceremony.

The eternal flame.

Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

The museum's collection is spread across several halls and comprises over 6,000 artifacts to provide insight into the military history of Kazakhstan. The exhibits cover Kazakhstan’s ancient military history up to the present day. Of note are its exhibits on weapons of the 20th and 21st centuries, and an in-depth exhibit on military history of the 20th century, including World War II. There is a hall dedicated to current day air defence, ground forces, and navy of the Kazakh army.

Reproduction of the office of the General of the Kazakh Army.

This 1985 V8 “Chaika” car was for Generals to be transported in, as they led the military column and welcomed the public during parades on special holidays.

Another reproduction of Golden Man (others are in museums in Almaty and Astana) was a saka warrior in the 4th-3rd centuries BC.

reproduction of a heavily armed Golden Horde Warrior from the 13th-14th centuries.

Soviet Red Army wool solider’s uniform from the early 20th century.

The museum reflected the many roles that Kazakh military personnel have to play, right up to the roles of dealing with infectious disease control and radioactive situations.

Soviet T-64 medium tank, used by Kazakhstan as of 1968. 

Soviet MiG-29 medium and short distance air combat fighter jet. 

Odds and ends from the day:

This week, the national Kazakhstan Games for a number of physical contact sports are being held in Astana.  This signage advertises the games.  Of particular note is the sport of “horseback wrestling”! I can’t even imagine how that looks!

Monument "Kazakh Eline Myn Algys", which translates, “gratitude to the Kazakh people”.

Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  (Not to be confused with the country’s general archives, stored in the egg-shaped building shown in yesterday’s blog entry.)

Intelligent life from other galaxies has, apparently, arrived in Kazakhstan. But it’s still somewhat under wraps! ;-)

Mosque "Alzhan ana"

Chicken teriyaki was my pre-ordered dinner choice on the flight to Aktau, while Pam had chicken Kiev. Both were hot and tasty,  


FlyArystan’s Airbus A320 was packed. It was a smooth flight (apart from the screeching baby) and arrived 15 minutes early. 

Full moon over Aktau.