Happy New Year from Borovoe, Kazakhstan

As local legend has it, when God created the world, one people was bestowed with great forests, green fields and wide rivers and another people got beautiful mountains and blue lakes. But the Kazakh people were given only steppe. It hurt the Kazakhs' feelings and they began to ask the creator to give them a scrap of wonderful nature. In the north of Kazakhstan, between Astana and Kokshetau is this oasis, named Borovoe.

We are fortunate to get to stay here, about a 30-minute drive from Schuchinsk, where the baby house to which we are assigned is located.

Borovoe is known as Kazakhstan’s Switzerland. While its mountains are really large hills, the area lies in stark contrast to the surrounding steppe. Borovoe is a popular summer vacation destination, however, is also striking in winter. The birch and pine forests blanketed with snow, the interesting rock formations, Siberian musk deer foraging – it’s a magical place.





We’re certain that Santa lives nearby, and we expect to see his reindeer-pulled sleigh swoosh by any moment!

Wishing you a very happy New Year,
Steve & Tonya