Greetings from the marvellous city of Almaty! We who live here have a deep-rooted affection for it, and often call it Almatushka—a name we use with the sort of warmth one reserves for a dear old friend.

I suppose you could describe me as a devoted explorer of my own city. My greatest joy is to be out on a long walk, simply seeing where the day takes me. I have a tremendous soft spot for the local festivals and cultural gatherings – a splendid opportunity to see the city's residents at their most vibrant and expressive! And when a dose of true quiet is needed, I find nothing more restorative than a good scramble up into our magnificent mountains, those great, silent guardians of our valley.

What I truly delight in is uncovering those quiet little worlds tucked away from the main thoroughfares. I’m always on the lookout for a haven with its own peculiar, charming philosophy; a place where the music is good, the general clamour is low, and the people you meet are a collection of the most interesting characters.

My particular specialty, if you will, is the art of the 'unlikely walk'. The spots I’ll point you to are for the patient observer, the sort of person who understands that to truly know a place, you must notice its smallest details, listen to its unique rhythms, and spend a great deal of time simply meandering through it. It’s in these tiny, overlooked corners that the true soul of Almaty reveals itself.